Hiawassee to Hayesville
Things to do around Lake Chatuge
Concerts at Anderson Music Hall, the fairgrounds’ festivals, Young Harris College shows, Hayesville’s square and the Folk School, all within a few miles of the lake.
Coming up
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7Nov
The Oak Ridge Boys
The country and gospel vocal group headlines the lakeside music hall at the fairgrounds.
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13–15Nov
WNC Festival of Trees
Dozens of decorated Christmas trees on display and raffled off, plus photos with Santa, with proceeds funding local scholarships.
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26Nov
Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
Lakeside walk-through light show with train rides, crafts and Santa, Thu-Sat through Dec 12, nightly Dec 17-24, and drive-thru only Dec 26-31.
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5–6Dec
Christmas at YHC: O Holy Night
Young Harris College's annual Christmas concert, with afternoon performances on Saturday and Sunday.
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11–20Dec
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)
Comedy that races through holiday classics, staged over two December weekends.
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12Dec
Fireside Sale Holiday Craft Fair
Regional artisans sell handmade gifts by the fire, with live holiday music, Santa photos and gift wrapping, 10 AM to 4 PM.
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12Dec
Christmas Tree Lighting at Vogel State Park
Free evening of hayrides, music, bonfires and cocoa, with the tree lighting program around 5:30 PM; bring an unwrapped toy for the sheriff's drive.
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12Dec
Hayesville Christmas Parade
Clay County's evening Christmas parade circles the downtown square.
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31Dec
New Year's Eve Fireworks
Free fireworks over the fairgrounds to ring in 2027, with parking from 6 PM and food vendors on site.
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24–27Feb
Chicago (YHC Musical)
Young Harris College theatre stages the jazz-age musical nightly, plus a Saturday 2 PM matinee.
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6Mar
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20Mar
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1–3Apr
Georgia Mountain Ford Nationals
Three-day show for Ford cars and trucks of every year and model, with vendors on site.
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3Apr
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14–15May
Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival
Over 120 cooks grill on ceramic cookers for tasting-ticket holders on Saturday, after a Friday bluegrass meet-and-greet.
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20–22May
Georgia Mountain Bluegrass Festival
Three days of traditional and contemporary bluegrass bands at the lakeside music hall.
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13–21Aug
Georgia Mountain Fair
The region's big summer fair returns over two weekends with a carnival, concerts, exhibits and a pioneer village.
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16–18Sep
Dailey & Vincent Music Fest
Three-day bluegrass and gospel festival hosted by the award-winning duo, who play a set each day.
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8–16Oct
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival
Autumn festival with music, crafts and food on two weekends, Oct 8-10 and Oct 14-16.
Details
Every summer
The Georgia Mountain Fair
For more than 70 years Hiawassee has hosted the Georgia Mountain Fair, now at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds on the shore of the lake: country music at Anderson Music Hall, a pioneer village, crafts and midway, plus 189 lakeside campsites.
The fairgrounds also host the fall festival, Georgia’s official State Fiddlers’ Convention, car shows and a Christmas lights drive-through. In spring, Hamilton Gardens next door blooms with thousands of native azaleas and rhododendrons.
Around the lake, all year
The regulars. Dates move a little each year, so check with the organizer before you go.
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-March | TVA starts refilling the lake toward summer pool | Lake-wide |
| Spring | Hamilton Gardens azaleas and rhododendrons in bloom | Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee |
| June 1 | Summer pool, 1926 ft | Lake-wide |
| July 4 | Fireworks over Chatuge Dam; watch by boat or from the dam and Gibson Cove | Clay County, NC |
| August | Georgia Mountain Fair | Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee |
| October | Georgia Mountain Fall Festival and the State Fiddlers’ Convention | Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee |
| Early November | Lake Chatuge Shoreline Cleanup (MountainTrue) | Towns County Beach |
| Late November–December | Christmas lights at the fairgrounds, Hayesville’s Christmas parade, the Folk School’s Fireside Sale | Hiawassee, Hayesville, Brasstown |
| December 31 | New Year’s Eve fireworks | Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds |
Know of something we missed? Email office@wannagrowbrand.com.
Where we look every week
The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds and Anderson Music Hall, Young Harris College, the Peacock Performing Arts Center, the John C. Campbell Folk School, Towns and Clay county tourism, the Lake Chatuge Chamber, Georgia State Parks and the Forest Service. We check every event against the organizer’s own page before it goes on this list.