Lake Lanier and the surrounding communities support an active and creative lifestyle. From boating, fishing, swimming, and sailing on the lake to running, biking, and golfing events, art, museums, and theater attractions, the Lanier area has something for everyone.
To place an event on Lakeside’s calendar, email event information to Lakeside News
Event details are displayed below the calendar.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, event details may change. Please verify event details with the event organizer, prior to attending.
may, 2024
may, 2024
may, 2024
may, 2024
Extended Events
Amicalola Falls State Park – 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd., Dawsonville –706-344-1515
May 11, May 25 – Bats of Georgia – Short presentation and easy walk with bat-detecting gear to participate in citizen-science, 8 p.m. (2nd & 4th Saturdays May 11-Aug. 24; 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 & 28, 7 p.m. Oct. 12) $5 parking.
May 25 – Iconic Trees of Amicalola Falls – Naturalist-guided hike to identify amazing trees along on Appalachian Approach Trail from Visitor Center to Reflection Pond. 11 a.m. Guidebook, pencil, and paper provided. $5
Saturdays thru June 1 – Birds of Prey – Blue Ridge Raptors bring birds of prey for educational, up close program, 1-2 p.m. Visitor Center Arch Room, $5 parking.
1st and 3rd Saturdays thru July – Sunset Campfire – Professional storytellers spin tales of Appalachian folklore, local history and more at campfire pit, bring flashlight and chair. Event moves to lodge if 75% chance of rain is forecast. $5 parking
The Arts Council – 331 Spring Street, SW, Gainesville – 770.534.2787, email: julie@theartscouncil.net
May 4 – Wasting Away…With The Arts Council Fundraiser, with A1A, the Official & Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show
May 18 – The Black Gold Orchestra
June 8 – Southeastern Young Artists with the Gainesville Ballet Co.
June 22 – Dookie – America’s Premier Green Day Tribute Band
July 3 – Northwinds Symphonic Band presents Patriotic Pops Concert
July 13 – Gangstagrass
July 20 – Riverstreet
July 26 – Rush of Fools
Aug. 10 – Kings of Queen-Queen Tribute
Aug. 24 – Back in Time
Sept. 14 – Dancing Dream-Abba Tribute
Blackstrap Rock Hall – 852 Main St. SW, Gainesville – 678-696-8285
May 4 – Malefic/Nihilect/Imperii
May 10 – Billy Bats and The Made Men/Manic Third Planet/the Carolyn
May 17 – Axecident/Zyx/Tidalist
May 18 – Withered/Of Ancients/Six
May 25 – Die 985/FreakShow Sinema/Vicki’s Dream
The Boathouse at Lake Lanier Olympic Park – 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd.
May 2 – Business After Hours – Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, 5-7 pm
Boot Barn Hall – 213 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, Gainesville – 678-434-0475
Info: Times are 7:30-10:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
May 2 – Keith Burns
May 3 – Boys in the Band
May 4 – Excitable/Def Leppard Tribute
May 5 – Elle King
May 9 – Dueling Pianos
May 10, 11 – The Rocketman Show
May 17 – Sabbath/Black Sabbath Experience
May 18 – Purple Madness/Prince Tribute
May 19 – The Jerry Douglas Band
May 24 – Fly Betty
May 25 – Hardwired/Metallica Tribute
May 31 – Craig Morgan
Bowen Center for the Arts – 334 Hwy 9N, Dawsonville – 706-216-2787, melinda@RainbowChildrensHome.org
Brenau University Events – 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville – 770-538-4764
Thru May 23 – Jenny Bishop Heaton: Lavish Delights exhibition
May 11, 12 – Dancing Under the Bao Bao Tree: A Celebration of Dance Culture
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Metalsome Live Band Karaoke
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – The Andrews Brothers Dueling Pianos
May 3 – Aunt Betty
May 4 – Thunderstruck-America’s AC/DC Tribute
May 10 – Slippery When Wet-Bon Jovi Tribute
May 11 – Double Take (‘80s experience)
May 17 – Red Not Chili Peppers – Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute
May 18 – Troubadour Project (‘70s Rock)
May 25 – Nostalgia (‘80s Music)
May 31 – Dr. Kahn – Millennial Pop/Punk
Buford Community Center Events – 2200 Buford Hwy, Buford – 770-945-6762
May 18 – The Purple Xperience with Special Guest Black Lion
COE Campgrounds, Lake Lanier
COE Campground Reservation process for Lake Lanier campgrounds has changed in 2024. Reservations are now made through the campground’s county website, not recreation.gov. See campgrounds below for open/close dates and county website for reservations.
• Toto Creek and War Hill, managed by Dawson County Parks and Recreation, opens Mar. 1 – Oct. 31, www.dawsoncountyga.gov.
• Bolding Mill, Duckett Mill, Old Federal, managed by Hall County Parks and Leisure Services, Mar. 28-Nov. 17, www.hallcounty.org.
• Bald Ridge, Sawnee, Shady Grove, managed by Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, Mar. 21-Oct. 26, www.parks.forsythco.com.
Clarkesville’s Historic Habersham Community Theater – 1370 N Washington St, Clarkesville – 706-839-1315
May 23-26, 30-June 2 – Rumors
July 18-21, 25-28, Aug. 1-4 – The Voyage of The Dawn Trader
Cumming City Center – 423 Canton St. – 770-781-2010
May 10 – Gold Standard
May 24 – Mike Veal Band
May 31 – Purple Madness, Prince Trib.
Dahlonega’s Historic Holly Theater – 69 W Main St, Dahlonega – 706-530-5162
Thru May 12 – Bonnie & Clyde
May 25 – Reo Survivor & Co., REO Trib.
June 1 – Songs of the South/A Tribute to Alabama
Don Carter State Park – 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd., Gainesville – 678-450-7726
May 11 – Touch a Truck – Touch, see and talk about trucks of all kinds. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Boat Ramp, $5 parking.
May 1 – Family Frolics – Children ages 18 months – 4 years and adult companions celebrate Earth with a story, craft, and walk, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
May 18 – Creek Critters Stream Exploration – Check water quality, look for insects, wildlife in Walnut Creek, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., $15. Register in advance.
May 23 – Master Naturalist Lite – Explore the world of reptiles and amphibians in classroom setting and hike, 10 a.m.-noon. $10, members free. Ages 16 and up. Register in advance.
Flowery Branch – 404-491-9601
Thru September (Thursdays) – Farmers Market – Local produce, plus live music, cooking demonstrations, and special events – 3:30 – 7 p.m. May-September, Flowery Branch Market Pavilion, 5310 Railroad Ave.
May 5, June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 1, Oct. 6 – Music in the Branch, 6:30-8 p.m., at Amphitheater, 5603 Mitchell St., Info: 770-967-6371.
May 10 – Latin Arts Festival, 3:30-9 p.m. at 5210 Railroad Ave., Flowery Branch. Info: 770-967-6371.
FoCAL Center – Forsyth County Arts and Learning Center, 1150 Dahlonega Highway Cumming. 470-695-7826
Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden –1911 Sweetbay Dr, Gainesville – 404-888-4760
Thru Oct. 13 – Glass in Flight, Gainesville. Exhibition of glass sculptures catches essence of flight.
Gainesville Theatre Alliance – 678-717-3624
Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds – 1311 Music Hall Rd, Hiawassee – 706-896-4191
Thru May 12 – Rhododendron Festival
May 4 – Run for the Rhodos 5K
May 9-11 – Top of Georgia Plein Air Festival
May 11 – Hiawassee Highlands Wine Festival
May 11 – Deana Carter
May 18 – Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival
May 24 – Hiawassee Pro Rodeo
Hall County Library
Gainesville Branch – 770-532-3311, ext. 4011
May 4 – Greeting Card Workshop
May 10 – Georgia Cross Stitchers
May 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 – Adult Brain Teaser Week
May 15 – Introduction to Google Docs
May 19 – Free Screening of “Saving the Chattahoochee”
May 24, June 28, July 26, Aug. 23 – Master Craftswoman Agatha Christie – A Reading Group
Murrayville Branch – 770-532-3311, ext. 171
North Hall Tech Center – 770-532-3311, ext. 181
Historic Downtown Braselton – Town Green, 9924 Davis St. – 706-921-4016
3rd Saturdays May – July – Movie Under the Stars – Bring lawn chairs & blankets for family friendly move, concessions for purchase – 7 p.m., movie at dark, Free.
Historic Downtown Dahlonega – Hancock Park, corner of North Park and Warwick St. – 706-864-3711
May 18, 19 – Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival – Arts & crafts, beer & wine, jazz music.
First Fridays May – October – Music in the Park – Live music 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Historic Downtown Gainesville – 112 Main St., SW
May 3 – First Friday Concert Series, 7 p.m. at 301 Main St.
Interactive Neighborhood Kids – 775 Dorsey St, Gainesville – 770-536-1900
Thru May 5 – Space Craft Week
May 6-12 – Mother’s Day Craft Week
May 13-19 – Pizza Craft Week
May 20-26 – Bee Craft Week
May 28-June 2 – Memorial Day Craft Week
Time/Play Blocks: Mon.-Sat.; 10 a.m.-noon; 12:30-2:30 p.m.; 3-5 p.m.; Sun.: 12:30-2:30 p.m.; 3-5 p.m.
Info: $1 with paid admission to museum; INK members, free.
Lake Lanier Islands Resort / Margaritaville – 770-945-8787
May 4 – Water Park opens at Margaritaville Lanier Islands
Lake Lanier Olympic Park – 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville – 855-536-1996
Canoe/Kayak/SUP Rentals – Canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard rentals, reserve via email 48 hours in advance for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings.$20-$30 per hour, plus $10 for additional hours, maximum 4 hours. info@lckc.org
May 4 – Hall County Schools Fit Families 5K
May 4 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier’s Rubber Duck Derby
May 17 – Food Truck Friday
June 14 – Food Truck Friday
July 12 – Beach Bash
August 16 – Food Truck Friday
Beginner rowing classes – ages 18 and older, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tues. & Thurs.; 8:30-10:30 a.m. Sat. April 2-27, Lake Lanier Rowing Club, $240. Other classes scheduled May 7-June 1, June 4-29.
Lanier Technical College – 2535 Lanier Tech Drive, Gainesville – 770-533-7000 (Ramsey Center 770-533-7360)
Linwood Ecology Center/Nature Preserve – 118 Springview Dr., MasterGardener@hallcounty.org
First Wednesdays Jan – May and Sept – Nov – Turning Leaf Book Club – Monthly discussions of nature-themed books, 11 a.m.
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – 5300 Winder Hwy, Braselton – 770-967-6143
NoFo Brew Co. Gainesville – topher@nofobrew.co
May 7, 14, 21, 28 – Trivia Night
May 9, 16, 23, 30 – Music Bingo
Northeast Georgia History Center – 322 Academy St NE, Gainesville – 770-297-5900
Piedmont University – 1021 Central Ave, Demorest –706-776-0116, 800-277-7020
Players Guild/Eagle Theatre – 5029 W Broad St, Sugar Hill – 770-945-6929, 770-945-6716
Quinlan Arts Center – 514 Green St NE, Gainesville – 770-536-2575
Thru June 8 – Spring Exhibition
May 4 – Spring Exhibition Artist Talk
May 7, 14 – Bugs, Birds and Flowers
May 13 – Ekphrasis for the Masses
May 16 – Georgia Art League Program
June 13-Aug. 10 – Summer Exhibition
Thru May 19 – Don’t Dress for Dinner
Smithgall Woods State Park – 61 Tsalaki Trl., Helen – 706-878-3087
May 11 – Super Stars – Learn how to use a telescope, find constellations, planets, 8-10 p.m., $10, plus $5 parking.
May 18 – Smithgall’s Snakes – Meet native, scaly friends, learn their place in ecosystem, 10-11 a.m.
June 3 – July 22 (Mondays) – Master Naturalist – 8-week adult environmental education program with classroom lectures and hands on-activities led by local and state experts, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $285, $5 parking. Registration required.
Tallulah Gorge State Park – 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. – 706-754-7981
May 5, 12, 19 26 (Sundays in May) – Snake Sundays – Meet, pet and learn about live snakes, 9:30-10-30 a.m. $5, plus $5 parking.
May 10 – Tour and Tea at Tallulah – Morning stroll on North Rim Trail to hear stories of Victorian Era on the gorge, followed by cup of tea on Interpretive Center back patio, $40, plus $5 parking.
May 18 – (3rd Saturdays thru December) – Beginner Archery – Learn to shoot an arrow or improve your skills, 9-10:30 a.m., Must be strong enough to pull 20- pound bow. Register in advance. $10, $5 parking.
May 22 – Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike – a mile-and-a-half night hike down 310 stairs to a suspension bridge over the falls, 8:30 -10:00 p.m., $10, plus $5 parking. Register in advance.
May 11, 18, 25 -Sunset Birding – Search for and identify birds by sight and sound, (7:45-9 p.m. May 11 & 18, 8-9:15 p.m. May 25), $10, plus $5 parking.
Tannery Row Artist Colony – 554 W Main St, Buford – 470-326-6656
University of North Georgia – see website, there are multiple campuses – 678-717-3930
Vogel State Park – 405 Vogel State Park Rd. – 706-745-2628
Voices of North Georgia – First Baptist Church Gainesville, 751 Green St NW –
The Well – 420 Vision Dr., Cumming – 404-271-3178, gigs@thewellga.com
May 4 – Carpool – Cars tribute
May 11 – Aunt Betty
May 25 – BlairOutLoud
July 6 – Radio ‘80s