July can really bring the summer heat and humidity, but many find cooling comfort from water-related activities like tubing the Chattahoochee River in Helen, to swimming, sailing, skiing and more on Lake Lanier. Others like to find a shady place to listen to some live music or visit a garden. To find your special outdoor activity this July, check out these offerings.
July Activities by Date
July 3 – Patriotic Pops Concert, Gainesville. Northwind Symphonic Band performs annual patriotic concert on the lawn, gates open 7 p.m., music starts 8 p.m. July 3, Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Sprint St. SW. Bring lawn chairs, picnic; food truck available. $30 individual, $40 per ticket reserve table for 8. www.theartscouncil.net.
July 4 – Fly Betty Band/Fireworks, Gainesville. Local party band celebrates July 4 on Midland Greenway, followed by fireworks, 4-6 p.m. pre-show, 7 p.m. main concert, 682 Grove St. www.exploregainesville.org.
July 4 – Laurel Park Celebration, Gainesville. American Legion – Paul E. Bolding Post 7 presents an all-day Fourth of July celebration. Gates open at 9 a.m. with food vendors, kids’ activities, music, splash pad, and more; fireworks at dark visible from numerous points around north end of lake, 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy. $15 per car.
July 4 – 68th annual Thomas Mashburn Steam Engine Parade/Independence Day Celebration, Cumming. Parade with sports teams, dance academies, antique cars, tractors and steam engines on Tribble Gap Road from Forsyth Central High School to Cumming Fairgrounds. 10 a.m.-noon July 4; Independence Day Celebration with children’s activities, food, vendors, live music, adult beverages, and more 4-10 p.m., fireworks 9:30 p.m. Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. www.cummingfair.net.
July 4 – Celebrate the 4th, Braselton. Food, music, parade, fireworks; food trucks/family activities, 5 p.m., parade on Ga. 53 begins at 6 p.m., live music 6:30-9:30 p.m.; fireworks between 9-9:30 p.m., July 4, Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.
July 4 – Run, White & Blue 10K/5K/Fun Run, Cumming. 7:45/7:50/8:05 a.m. July 4, Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way. $25-$45. www.runnersfit.com.
July 4 – Red, White & Blairsville. Food trucks, bounce houses, and fireworks, 7:30-10 p.m. July 4, Meeks Park, 11 Pool Lane and across the street at North Georgia Tech. www.visitblairsvillega.com.
July 4 – Fireworks at the Fairgrounds, Hiawassee. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds annual blast in the mountains with Nathan Morgan Band, 6-9 p.m., fireworks 9:45 p.m. July 4, 1311 Music Hall Rd. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
July 4 – Parade and Celebration, Dahlonega. Firecracker 5K, car show, patriotic parade, free concerts in Hancock Park, food trucks, reading of Declaration of Independence, DJ and fireworks show on University of North Georgia drill field at dusk, www.dahlonegadda.org.
July 4 – Old Fashioned Celebration, Blairsville. 7 a.m. 5K/1-mile fun run, 9:30 a.m. flag raising ceremony, followed by bicycle parade, pedal boat races, greased pole climbing, watermelon eating contest and other family activities at one of the nation’s oldest state parks, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. 5K/fun run $20, $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-745-2628.
July 4 – Lake Walk/Patriotic Crafts, Mountain City. Start the day with an easy guided walk around the lake, 10-11 a.m., continue with making patriotic crafts and learning about bald eagles, 2-4 p.m. July 4, Black Rock Mountain State Park, 3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy. $5 parking. 706-746-2141, www.gastateparks.org.
July 4 – Annual Fireworks at Dusk, Helen. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, view fireworks from Alpine Village Shoppes and Helen Welcome Center. Arrive before 9 p.m. July 4, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. 706 878-2181, www.helenga.org.
July 4 – 6 – Landshark Landing Lanier Islands, Buford. Outdoor firepits, food & drink, live music, fireworks, 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy. Fireworks 9:30 p.m. July 4-5, live music 7-10 p.m. July 4-6, www.margaritavilleresorts.com.
July 4 – July 4th Sand Castle Competition, Gainesville. Teams of 6 or less have 45 minutes to build sandcastles judged for creativity, neatness, details, stability & height; prizes for 1-3 place, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Don Carter State Park beach, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
July 5 – Red, White & Boat, Gainesville. Celebration at marina for tenants only, July 5; 9 p.m. fireworks visible from various points on the lake, Gainesville Marina, 2145 Dawsonville Hwy.
July 5 – Freedom Fest 5K, Cumming. 8:30 a.m. July 5, Freedom Brew & Shine, 2730 Spot Rd. Suite B. $47.50-$50. www.fivestarntp.com.
July 5 – Beach Bash Tournament, Gainesville. Classic field games like spoon race and limbo for all ages; come with a team or form a team on-site, 11 a.m. July 5, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
July 8 – Farm Camp, Sautee Nacoochee. One day camp for ages 7-12 to learn about farming in 1900s with crafts, games, home-made ice-cream & more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 8, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. Registration required. $40. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077.
July 9 – Pages in the Park, Gainesville. Storytime with Hall County librarian, activities with a ranger, 1:30-2:30 p.m. July 9, Picnic Shelter 1, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
July 9-11, 23-25 – Camp Sandy Shores, Gainesville. Junior ranger camp for ages 7-11 with crafts, hiking, kayaking, archery, and daily swim time, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 9-11 & 23-25, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $85, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
July 10 – Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike, Tallulah Falls. Mile-and- a-half night hike down 310 stairs to suspension bridge over falls, 9:25-10:55 p.m. July 10, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $10, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.
July 10 – Who Was Sidney Lanier?, Gainesville. Guided hike on Huckleberry Trail to hear about poet namesake of Lake Lanier, 11 a.m.-noon July 10, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $2, plus $5 parking. Register in advance or pay cash. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
July 12 – Forest Forensics, Gainesville. Become a dendrology detective by investigating tree traits, plus short hike on Overlook Trail to identify trees; recommended for ages 10-up, 1-2 p.m. July 12, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $2, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
July 12 – Movie Under the Stars, Braselton. Movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, concessions available, 7-11 p,m. July 12, Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.
July 12 – Tri the Parks, Elberton. Multisports races with triathlon, duathlon & aquabike options, various distances, 7:30 a.m. July 12, Richard B. Russell State Park, 2650 Russell State Park Dr. $129-$179. www.tritheparks.org.
July 12 – Forever Blooms Paper Orchid Workshop, Gainesville. Create paper orchid with mix of materials, 10 a.m.-noon July 12, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden. 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $75. $70 members. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760.
July 12 – Become a Campfire Chef: Hotdogs, Gainesville. Join rangers making classic camp meal. Campfire cooking series, 6-7 p.m. July 12, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
July 15 – Ice-cream Celebration, Gainesville. Celebrate Don Carter State Park’s 12th birthday by making bag ice-cream, 3-4 p.m. July 15, Visitors Center, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
July 18 – Teen Neon Night: Volleyball, Dawsonville. Friendly competition for 7th-12th graders, face paint, glow sticks provided, 8-9:30 p.m. July 18, Amicalola Falls State Park, 208 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
July 18 – Inflatables, Water Slides, Games, Cumming. Noon-8 p.m. July 18, Cumming City Center. 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
July 18 – Syfans Supports Rally 5K/Fun Run, Gainesville. 6:15 p.m. July 18, Midland Greenway, 682 Grove St. $35. www.runnersfit.com.
July 19 – Magic Mycology, Helen. Mushroom expert Brian Hale covers mushroom facts, usages and identification and leads exploration, 10 a.m.-noon July 19, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-3087.
July 19 – Summer Bob Ross Paint & Sip, Gainesville. Complete a landscape painting inspired by popular TV artist, 1-4 p.m. July 19, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $110, $100 members. www.atlantagb.org, 404-888-4760.
July 20 – Georgia Peach Women’s Triathlon, Gainesville. 400-yard swim, 15-mile bike, 5K run, individuals and relays, 7:30 a.m. July 20, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. $95-$170. www.gamultisports.com
July 21 – Dixon Classic Golf Tournament, Gainesville. Charity event to raise funds for families of fallen heroes, 10 a.m. July 21, Chicopee Woods Golf Course, 2125 Atlanta Hwy. www.exploregainesville.org.
July 25 – Paint the Park at Sunset, Gainesville. Watercolor program for adults (age 16+) painting lakeview from Picnic Shelter 3, all supplies provided, 7:30 p.m. July 25, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $3, plus $5 parking. Register in advance.www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
July 26 – Braselton Police Foundation 5K. 7:30 a.m. July 26, Braselton Brothers Department Store, 9924 Davis St. $30. www.runnersfit.com.
July 26 – Summer Harvest Festival, Sautee Nacoochee. Music, games, hayrides, farm animals, food vendors on the lawn and open house at farm mansion, 10a.m.-3 p.m. July 26, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $8; free to children 5 & younger. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077.
On-Going Activities by Area
BLAIRSVILLE
Vogel State Park – Music in the Park, Blairsville. Enjoy cool mountain evening at Lake Trahlyta Pavilion with different artist every week, 7-9 p.m. Saturdays through September, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. Bring a chair. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-745-2628.
BRASELTON
Braselton Monthly Farmer’s Market – Buy fresh produce, eggs, meats, baked goods & more, Fridays 4-7 p.m. through September; no market July 4, Braselton Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.
CLERMONT
Clermont Segment Ride – . 5 high-effort bike ride segments for total of about 25 miles, average speed 17-18 mph, roll out 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays, Clermont Park, 639 Main St. velocraig@hotmail.com.
CUMMING
Cumming City Center – 423 Canton Rd., Cumming- www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Summer Cornhole League – 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays through July 24
o Tin Cup Cruise In -Classic cars & family fun, first Thursdays through October
o Zumba Dance Party – Latin-inspired dance fitness, 7-8 p.m. July 8 & 22
o Yoga on the Lawn – 9-10:30 a.m. daily, Lou Sobh Amphitheater
o Jazzercise – 8:30 a.m. Fridays, Lou Sobh Amphitheater
o Sunday Shred – Weekly, free exercise workout, 10 a.m. Sundays through Oct. 26, Lou Sobh Amphitheater
o Saturday Walking Club – 8 a.m. Saturdays, Big Peach Running Co., Vision Drive (in front of fountain), Cumming City Center, www.bigpeachrunningco.com.
o Weekend Concerts – Live music 8-10 p.m.: Journey tribute Departure, July 4; Fleetwood Mac tribute Landslide, July 5; The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute, July 12; Dock Rock Radio, July 19; Alabama tribute Boys in the Band, July 25; Foreigner tribute Head Games, July 26; The Cars tribute Car Pool, Aug. 1. Lou Sobh Amphitheater
DAHLONEGA
First Friday Concerts, Dahlonega – Live music 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays through October, Hancock Park, North Meaders/Warwick Street. www.dahlonegadda.org.
Appalachian Jam, Dahlonega – Appalachian music pickers and singers perform around Dahlonega Gold Mine Historic Site, 2-4 p.m. Saturdays through October. www.dahlonegadda.org.
DAWSONVILLE
Amicalola Falls State Park – 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd., Dawsonville – www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515
o Storytime with a Naturalist – Naturalist reads nature-themed books to children K-5th grade, plus crafts & activities,10 a.m. Tuesdays through August, Visitors Center Arch Room, $5 parking.
o Creek Wading with a Naturalist – Wade in Little Amicalola Creek, learn about aquatic environment; nets & buckets provided, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesdays through August, $5 parking.
o Sunset Stories – Professional storytellers share Appalachian folklore, history and more around the campfire, 8-9 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturdays through Sept. 20; 7-8 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturdays in October, $5 parking.
o Nature Journaling – Learn to keep an illustrated, personal interpretation of nature through the seasons, journal provided, 11 a.m.-noon 2nd & 4th Saturdays through November, $5 parking.
o Hikes, Archery, Bats of Georgia, Tree Identification – Various free and fee programs available by reservation at Amicalola Falls State Park.
o Birds of Prey – Blue Ridge Raptors bring feathered friends for up close learning, 1-2 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturdays through December, Lodge Lobby.
FLOWERY BRANCH
Flowery Branch Summer Farmers Market – Local produce, plus live music, cooking demonstrations, and special events, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays through October, Flowery Branch Market Pavilion, 5310 Railroad Ave. www.flowerybranchga.org.
GAINESVILLE/HALL COUNTY
First Friday Concerts, Gainesville – Live music, kids’ zone, food trucks, vendors, first Fridays through September, pre-show 4-6 p.m., 7 p.m. main stage bands, Downtown Gainesville Square. Fly Betty Band July 4 with fireworks on Midland Greenway; Mary Kate Farmer Aug. 1; Gregg Erwin Band Sept. 5. www.exporegainesville.org.
Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden – 1911 Sweet Bay Dr., Gainesville – www.atlantagb.org, 404-888-4760
o Forest Forms Woodland Wonders – Display with large metal sculptures of plants and animals, Through Oct. 5, Garden admission.
o Storybook & Sensory Bin Time – Nature-inspired stories on the terrace for ages 1-5, 10-10:15 a.m. Wednesdays through August; sensory bin available 9:30 a.m.-noon, Garden admission.
o Fairytale Friday – Children dressed as favorite fairytale character enjoy parade with music and bubbles, 11 a.m. second Friday through July, Garden admission.
Hall County Summer Farmers Market, Gainesville – Locally grown vegetables, fruits, plus flowers, pastries & more, 2:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 734 E. Crescent Dr. www.hallcountyfarmersmarket.org.
Lake Lanier Olympic Park – 3100 & 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville
o Lake Lanier Rowing Club – Adult Learn to Row – Learn terminology, safety and techniques for sweep and combination rowing, class sessions Aug. 5-30, & Sept. 2-27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tues. & Thurs; 8-10 a.m. Sat., The Boathouse, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3100 Clarks Bridge Rd. Register in advance. www.lakelanierrowing.sportngin.com/.
o Food Truck Fridays – Live music, food trucks, beer & wine, retail vendors, 5-9 p.m. July 18, & Aug. 15, Lake Lanier Olympic Park Plaza, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. On site parking limited, off-site shuttle available. Courtesy dock available with limited slips. Free admission. Reserve tables available. www.exploregainesville.org.
Lanier Running Club – Group Runs, Oakwood/Gainesville. Runs with Lanier Running Club, starters to elites, 6 p.m. Tuesdays, College Square Park, 3540 Mundy Mill Rd., Oakwood; 6 p.m. Thursdays NoFo Brewing Company 434 High St. SE, Gainesville; 8:30 a.m. Saturdays, Riverside Preparatory Academy, 2001 Riverside Dr. Check Facebook and website for updates.www.lanierrunningclub.org.
Sunday North Hall Rides, Gainesville – Bicycling on rural roads averaging 17-18 mph at steady pace, 30-45 miles, roll out noon Sundays from Haynes Rd. velocraig@hotmail.com.
The Arts Council – Summer Music Series – Concerts on The Lawn at Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. SW: Northwinds Symphonic Band July 3, Windjammers Unlimited Circus July 19, The Thunderbolts July 25, Back in Time Aug. 29, The Band Loula Aug. 24. Concerts begin 7 or 8 p.m., gates open earlier. Individual and table tickets available. www.theartscouncil.net.
Turning Leaf Book Club, Gainesville – Monthly discussions of nature-themed books, 11 a.m. first Wednesdays Jan.-May, Sept.-Nov., Linwood Ecology Center, Linwood Nature Preserve, 118 Springview Dr. mastergardener@hallcounty.org.
TALLULAH FALLS
Tallulah Gorge State Park – Beginner Archery, Tallulah Falls – Learn to shoot an arrow or improve your skills, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. third Saturdays through February 2026, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. Must be strong enough to pull 20- pound bow. Register in advance. $15, $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.
