Calendars

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.

Events by Location

BLAIRSVILLE/UNION COUNTY
May 2, 3 – North Georgia Hot Rod Reunion/GM Truck Invasion, Meeks Park – 490 Meeks Park Rd, $10 per day, 12 and under free. See website for vendor/vehicle registration: www.surfboardpromotion.com.
Through May 11 – Hamilton Gardens Rhododendron Festival – Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, $10, see: www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
May 24, 25 – Blairsville Spring Arts, Crafts & Music Festival – 10 am-4 pm, downtown.
May 24 – Memorial Day Parade, downtown Blairsville
Vogel State Park – 405 Vogel State Park Rd, Blairsville – 706-745-2628

BRASELTON
Historic Downtown Braselton – Civic Center/Town Green, 9924 Davis St. – 706-921-4016, 706-654-1944 (Civic Center)
May 2 – Spring Farmer’s Market (First Fridays through Sept, no market July 4), 4-7 pm, Braselton Town Green, 9924 Davis St.
May 2 – Toast to Braselton fundraiser – 6:30-9 pm – Casino Night at the Civic Center, 27 E Lake Dr, ticket includes buffet dinner.
May 4 – Braselton Bridal & Wedding Expo – Civic Center
May 7, 14, 21, 28 – Downtown walking tours – FREE during National Historic Preservation Month in May, start on front porch of Braselton Hall, 4982 Hwy 53, 706-654-5552.
May 9, 16, 23, 30 – Farmers Market – Fridays, May thru September, Town Green
May 24 – Movies Under the Stars – Town Green, 7-11 pm, free
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – 5300 Winder Hwy, Braselton – 770-967-6143
May 2-4 – MotoAmerica Superbikes – 8 am-8 pm, practice/qualifying on Friday, all-day racing Saturday and Sunday with six classes of road racing.
May 8-10 – Drift Atlanta & Gridlife – 8 am-8 pm – round two of Formula Drift Championship
May 23 – WERA Cycle Jam – motorcycle racing.
Chateau Elan Winery & Resort – 100 Rue Charlemagne Dr. – 678-425-0900

BUFORD
Buford’s 37 Main Rock Cafe Events – 37 E. Main St. NE, Buford, 678-288-2030
Buford Community Center Events – 2200 Buford Hwy, Buford – 770-945-6762, 770-904-2740
May 17 – ZOSO – The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, 7 pm, Free, concert on the lawn
Lake Lanier Islands Resort / Margaritaville – 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy, 770-945-8787
For Free gate entry RSVP online
Every Tuesday – Trivia Tuesdays at Game Changer – 7 pm-9 pm
Every Wednesday – Music Bingo at Game Changer – 7 pm-9 pm
Every Thursday – Classic Bingo Night at Game Changer – 7 pm-9 pm
May 3 – Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville Opens  – slides, tubes, splashes, wave pools, waterslide coaster & more, 11a.m.-6 p.m.
Tannery Row Artist Colony – 554 W Main St, Buford – 470-326-6656
New hours: Thursday – Saturday noon to 4 pm
Through May 30 – 2025 Spring Open Juried Art Exhibit
May 10 – Second Saturday Exhibit, noon – 4 pm.

CLARKESVILLE/HABERSHAM COUNTY
(Alto, Baldwin, Clarkesville, Cornelia, Demorest, Mt. Airy and Tallulah Falls)
Clarkesville’s Historic Habersham Community Theater – 1370 N Washington St, Clarkesville – 706-839-1315
Jun 4-8, 11-15 – To Kill a Mockingbird – Wed-Sat – 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm, Ages 5+
Piedmont University – 1021 Central Ave, Demorest –706-776-0116, 800-277-7020
Jun 16-20 – Triple Threat Musical Theatre Intensive Workshop – foundational skills for musical theatre, 9 am-5 pm, ages 14-18, Swanson Center for Performing Arts.
Tallulah Gorge State Park – 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. – 706-754-7981
May 2 – National Space Day Astronomy – pay in cash, meet at helicopter field, $5, plus $5 parking.
May 3 – Snake Saturdays – meet animal ambassadors, snakes, 10-11 am, $5 plus $5 parking
May 9 – Tour and Tea at Tallulah – Evening stroll on the north rim listening to stories about the falls in the Victoria Era. Enjoy tea on patio of the Interpretive Center after hike, $20/person, $5 parking. Call for reservations.
May 11 – Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike – 310 stairs to the suspension bridge to watch the moon rise above the gorge. 8:15 pm-9:45 pm-10 pm $10 per a person $5 parking.
May 17 – Beginner Archery – Must be able to draw 20lbs bow, Meet at Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center, 11 am-12:30 pm, Call to register, $15 plus $5 parking.

CUMMING/FORSYTH COUNTY
Cumming City Center  – 423 Canton Rd. – 770-781-2010
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Cumming Farmers Market – Vision Parkway parking lot, 8-11 am
May thru Oct 26 – Sunday Shred – Sundays 10 am, 45-min HIIT style workout
May thru Oct 29 – Yoga on the Lawn – Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 am – Lou Sobh Amphitheater, free, all levels, bring mat, water
May 1 – Tin Cup Cruise-In – 6-8 pm, first Thurs every month thru Oct., classic cars, family fun.
May 2 – RadioStar – 7-9 pm rock, pop, dance music, Lou Sobh Amphitheater
May 3 – The Grand Gallop – Kentucky Derby Watch Party – 3-7 pm
May 3 – The Duke of Country – 8-10 pm, Lou Sobh Amphitheater
May 6 – Pure Barre – free workout, low impact, 11:30 am-12:30 pm
May 9 – The Spirit of Rush – 7-9 pm, Lou Sobh Amphitheater
May 10 – Greggie and the Jets – Elton John Tribute – 7-9 pm, Lou Sobh Amphitheater
May 13, 27 – Zumba with Allyson – 7-8 pm, free, all ages, bring towel, water, shoes, the green at Lou Sobh Amphitheater.
May 15 – Thrive Together – Community Health Fair, noon-4 pm
May 16 thru Sep 26 – Jazzercise – Fridays, 8:30 am, free, bring water, mat, handheld weights
May 16 – Interstellar Echoes – Tribute to Pink Floyd – 7-9 pm, Lou Sobh Amphitheater
May 17 – Nashville Nation – 7-9 pm, Lou Sobh Amphitheater
May 20 – Pure Barre – 6:30-7:30 pm, free, low impact, Lou Sobh Amphitheater
May 23 – Memorial Day Ceremony – 11 am-12:30 pm
May 23 – Movies Alfresco – 8 pm, Monsters University, bring chairs and blankets
May 30, Jun 20, Jul 18 – TGIF – noon to 8 pm – Inflatables, water slides, games – $10, unlimited play.
FoCAL Center – Forsyth County Arts and Learning Center, 1150 Dahlonega Highway Cumming. 470-695-7826
May 1-3 – The Odd Couple: female version – 7:30 pm; Apr 27, May 4, 2 pm
School Street Playhouse – 101 School St, Cumming – 770-781-9178
Through May 18 – The British Comedy “Run for your Wife,” Fri/Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2:30
Hall & Hound Brewing Co – 1920 Freedom Pkwy, Cumming – 470-239-8423
School Street Playhouse (formerly Cumming Playhouse) – 101 School St, Cumming – 770-781-9178
Through May 18 – The British Comedy ‘Run for your Wife,’ Fri/Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2:30
The Well  – 420 Vision Dr., Cumming – 404-271-3178, gigs@thewellga.com

DAHLONEGA/LUMPKIN COUNTY
Dahlonega’s Historic Holly Theater – 69 W Main St, Dahlonega – 706-530-5162
May 2-4, 9-11 – You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Fri/Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm.
May 17 – Frankly Scarlet – 7:30 pm
May 31 – Harvest Moon – 7:30 pm
Historic Downtown Dahlonega – Hancock Park, corner of North Park and Warwick St. – 706-864-3711 
May 2 – First Friday Concerts (Fridays thru Oct) – Live music 6:30-8:30 p.m., Hancock Park
May 3 – Appalachian Jam – (Saturdays thru Oct) – Appalachian music pickers and singers perform around Dahlonega Gold Mine Historic Site, 2-4 p.m.
May 10, 11 – Mother’s Day Weekend Butterfly Bash – 1-7 pm, Dahlonega Butterfly Farm, 427 Castleberry Bridge Rd, 912-387-5820
May 10 – Paws in the Park – 5-7 pm, Hancock Park – benefits Lumpkin Co Animal Shelter.
May 11 – Mother’s Day Brunch – 11 am-5 pm – Dahlonega Resort & Vineyard, 400 Blueberry Hill, $65/person, 706-865-7678, 706-525-1764
May 17, 18 – Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival – Wine & beer tastings, arts & crafts, live jazz performances, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 17;  10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 18,  www.chestateeartists.com.
May 31 – Day in the Life of a Miner – Peek back at life of goldminer, demonstrations of panning for gold, blacksmithing, butter churning, folk toys & more, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site,  706-864-2257.
University of North Georgia – see website, there are multiple campuses – 678-717-3930

DAWSONVILLE/DAWSON COUNTY
Amicalola Falls State Park – 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd., Dawsonville –706-344-1515
May 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30, 31 – Animals of Amicalola (every Fri/Sat/Sun) – Visitor’s Center, 1 pm and 4 pm.
May 3, 17 – Birds of Prey (1st and 3rd Saturdays through Dec.)
May 10, 24 – Nature Journaling Activity (2nd & 4th Sat through Nov) – 11 am, Shelter #2, 418 Amicalola Lodge
May 17 – Bear Days – Chat with bear enthusiast from Appalachian Friends of Bears, learn about bears’ environmental roles and how to help, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Visitors Center.
May 17 – Sunset Stories – (1st and 3rd Saturdays May – Sep 2o – including May 31) – Professional storytellers share Appalachian folklore, history around the campfire, 8-9 p.m. May-Sept. 20 (including May 31);  7-8 p.m. Saturdays in Oct.
May 24 – Fundamentals of Nature Identification, 1 pm, Amicalola Lodge Lobby
May 24 – Iconic Trees of Amicalola – 2 pm, Amicalola Lodge Lobby
May 10, 24 thru Sep – Bats of Georgia – 8 pm, (2nd, 4th Saturdays) 30 minute presentation, then walk, campground picnic pavilion.
Bowen Center for the Arts – 334 Hwy 9N, Dawsonville – 706-216-2787, melinda@RainbowChildrensHome.org
Through May 16 – EARTH to Bowen – Juried Art & Photo Exhibition
Historic Downtown Dawsonville

FLOWERY BRANCH
Branch House Tavern – 678-828-8345, 5466 McEver Rd.
Every Tues – Trivia Night – 7:30 pm
Every Wed – Karaoke – 7:30 pm
Every Fri/Sat – Live music – 9:30 pm
Flowery Branch – 404-491-9601
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29  – Farmers Market (Thursdays)  – Local produce, plus live music, cooking demonstrations, and special events, 3:30-6:30 p.m., Flowery Branch Market Pavilion, 5310 Railroad Ave.
May 4 – Music in the Branch – 6:30-8 pm – 5603 Mitchell St
May 10 – Flowery Branch Blooming Arts Festival – noon to 8 pm, free admission, food, arts, music
May 15 – Bales & Boots Country Market – 3:30-6:30 pm, shopping, food, farm animals.
May 17 – Flowery Branch Spring Run/Walk 5K – 9 am, Train Depot, 5302 Railroad Ave. $30-$35. www.runnersfit.com.

GAINESVILLE/HALL COUNTY
Blackstrap Rock Hall – 852 Main St. SW, Gainesville – 678-696-8285
Boot Barn Hall – 213 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, Gainesville – 678-434-0475
May 1 – Marty Haggard – doors 5 pm/show 7:30 pm
May 2 – The Johnny Cash Experience – doors 5:30/show 7:30 pm
May 3 – Ramble Tamble – doors 5:30/show 7:30
May 8 – The Eagles and Friends Tribute – doors 5:30/show 7:30 pm
May 9, 10 – Corey Smith: Suburban Drawl Tour (rescheduled from Jan 4) doors 5/show 7:30
May 11 – Chris Knight – doors 6 pm/ show 7:30 pm
May 14 – Thunderstruck, America’s AC/DC Tribute – doors 5 pm/show 7:30 pm
May 15 – Randall King – doors 7 pm/show 8 pm
May 16 – No Diggity Band, 90s & 2000s Hip-Hop, R&B, and Pop – doors 5:30/show 7 pm
May 17 – Chris Cagle – doors 5 pm/show 7:30 pm
May 22 – Neil Diamond Experience – doors 5:30 pm/show 7:30 pm
May 23 – LA ONDA: The Ultimate Regional Mexican Party – doors 8 pm/show 9 pm
May 24 – Savannah Dexter & Brabo Gator – doors 7 pm/show 8 pm
May 30 – Departure: Journey Tribute Band – doors 5 pm/show 7:30 pm
May 31 – Fly Betty Band – party music, 70s to current hits – doors 5 pm/show 7:30 pm
Brenau University Events – 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville – 770-538-4764
City of Clermont 
Sep 19, 20 – Clermont Days 2025 – Arts, crafts, entertainment, parade, cake walk, fireworks (parade applications available in March)
Don Carter State Park – 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd., Gainesville – 678-450-7726
May 2 – Nocturnal Night Hike – 7-8 pm, meet at Huckleberry Trail, no flashlights necessary, $3, plus $5 parking.
May 10 – Birding Walk with Bill Elliott – 8-9:30 am – walk around the beach, meet at picnic shelter #3, call to register, $2, plus $5 parking.
May 12 – Pages in the Park – 1:30-2:30 pm, enjoy story time with Hall County librarians at Picnic Shelter #1, $5 parking.
May 17 – Become a Campfire Chef: Nachos! – 6-7 pm, call to register, $5, plus $5 parking.
May 25 – Bats & Bees Pollinator Bingo – 1-2 pm, picnic shelter #2, all ages, $5 parking.
May 26 – Memorial Day Sand Castle Competition – 11 am-12:30 pm, bring your own tools, $5 parking.
May 31 – Yoga on the Shore – 8-9 am – bring a mat, all levels, call to register, $5, plus $5 parking.
Elachee Nature Science Center – 2125 Elachee Dr. Gainesville – 770-535-1976
May 1, 15 – Spring weekly walks – 1 pm, meet at Visitors Center, free.
May 3 – Outdoor Soundbath Experience with SNDBATH – 11 am-noon, members: $25; educators: $30; public: $35. Bring yoga mat, blanket, pillow, water bottle, call to register.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Discovery Saturdays – Wild animal showcase, exhibits, crafts and hike, 10 am-3 pm, $10 ages 3 and older, $5 parking.
May 6 – (First Tues each month) – Pages & Pines Silent Book Club – Bring a book to enjoy reading on nature center patio, 12-:30-2:30 p.m.
Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden –1911 Sweetbay Dr, Gainesville – 404-888-4760
May 3 – Edible Gardening for students – 10 am-noon
May 7, 14, 21, 28 – Storybook & Sensory Bin Time (Wednesdays thru Aug) – 10 am-noon
May 9 – Fairytale Friday (second Fridays thru July) – 11 am. Dress as your favorite fairytale character
May 11 – Mother’s Day in the Gainesville Garden – 11 am-3 pm
May 17 – Summer Greenhouse Tour – 10 am- noon
May 17 – Girl Scout Badge Day – 10 am-2 pm
May 19 – Strings in the Garden: for supporting members and above – 6-9 pm
Gainesville Theatre Alliance – 678-717-3624
Georgia Art League – (at Quinlan Visual Arts Center- Gainesville) – 470-272-3010 
Contact Melanie Vaughan, melanievaughan133@gmail.com.
Thru Sept 17 – Ferguson Family Exhibit: Clay and Kin – Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, Sautee Nacoochee, 706-878-3300.
Hall County Farmers Market – 734 E Crescent Drive, Gainesville
Locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers
Summer Market (May-September): Tuesdays: 2:30am – 6:30pm, ​Saturdays: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Winter Market – (October-December): ​Saturdays: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Hall County Library System (this is just a sampling of activities – see website for complete listings)
Blackshear Place Library – 770-532-3311, ext. 151
May 2 – Gentle Yoga – 11:30-12:30, bring a mat, adults
May 19 – Lego Play – build your own masterpiece, 3:30-4:30 pm – elementary age
May 28 – Play Time – 10:15-11 am – baby, pre-school
Gainesville Branch – 770-532-3311, ext. 4011
May 3 – Greeting Card workshop – 10 am-1 pm, adults
May 10 – Georgia Cross Stitchers – 10 am-4:30 pm, family, all ages
May 12 – Teen Writers Workshop – 6-7 pm, ages 14-18.
Murrayville Branch – 770-532-3311, ext. 171
May 1 – Music Concert – 1-2 pm, adults
May 5 – Mother’s Day Paper Flower Bouquets – 5-6 pm, elementary age
May 12 – Teen Duct Tape Art – 5-6 pm, Middle/High School
North Hall Tech Center – 770-532-3311, ext. 181
May 1, 2 – Wildflower Seed bombs – take home kit, all day, adults
May 17 – Sew Cool! – 2:30-4:30 pm – Middle/High School ages
May 19 – Baby Play Date – 11-11:30 am, baby/preschool
Spout Springs Branch – 770-532-3311, ext 191
May 1 – Historically Speaking Book Club – 2:30-3:30, adults
May 15 – Teeny Tiny Art Show: Canvas Deadline 7 pm, baby/preschool
May 27 – Plant Swap – 3-4 pm – drop in and share a plant or two, adults
Historic Downtown Gainesville  – 112 Main St., SW
May 2 – First Friday Concert (Fridays thru Sept) – Pre-show 4-6 pm, main stage bands 7-10 pm, downtown square (Rock Station May 2; Geoff Saunders Trio & GoMachine Collab June 6, Fly Betty Band July 4 with fireworks on Midland Greenway; Mary Kate Farmer Aug. 1; Gregg Erwin Band Sept. 5 )
May 3 – Adult Field Day – Roosevelt Square 2-5 pm, sponsored by Downtown Drafts
May 7, 14, 21, 28 – Blue Sky Concert – 11:30-1:30 pm – lunch and music on the square (Rodney Appleby May 7, Chad Bowmar May 14, Caleb Davidson May 21, Eduardo Cautino May 28)
May 8 – Public Art: block pARTy FUNdraiser – 6-10 pm, Historic City Hall/Roosevelt Square, $60 individuals.
Interactive Neighborhood Kids – 775 Dorsey St, Gainesville – 770-536-1900
INK is in the process of  moving to a new location in Flowery Branch. During this transition, please contact the club for hours and details.
Lake Lanier Olympic Park  – 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville – 855-536-1996
LAKE FUN watercraft rentals – opens in May – kayak, stand-up paddle boards, electric discs and more are available to rent. See lake-fun.com website to reserve your watercraft. Walk-ins are welcome.
May 10, 11 – USRowing and Lake Lanier Rowing Club host the 2025 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships
May 16, Jun 20, Jul18, Aug 15 – Food Truck Friday – 5-9 pm
May 17 – Gainesville/Hall Dragon Boat Challenge – hosted by LCKC, the primary charity is the Hall County Special Olympics.
The Boathouse at Lake Lanier Olympic Park – 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd.
Lanier Technical College – 2535 Lanier Tech Drive, Gainesville – 770-533-7000 (Ramsey Center 770-533-7360)
Linwood Ecology Center/Nature Preserve – 118 Springview Dr, Gainesville MasterGardener@hallcounty.org
First Wednesdays Jan – May and Sept – Nov – Turning Leaf Book Club – Monthly discussions of nature-themed books, 11 a.m.
NoFo Brew Co. Gainesville – topher@nofobrew.co
Tuesdays – Trivia Night, 7-9 pm
Thursdays – Music Bingo, 7-9 pm
Northeast Georgia History Center – 322 Academy St NE, Gainesville – 770-297-5900
May 13 – The Big Cat: the Life & Career of Johnny Mize, guest speaker Jerry Grillo – Johnny Mize was a baseball Hall of Famer and Demorest native. 7 pm.
Quinlan Arts Center – 514 Green St NE, Gainesville – 770-536-2575
May 3, Jun 28 – Leather Working Workshop – 10 am-4 pm, instructor Tom Slavicek, cost $120, all materials provided.
May 13 – Ekphrasis for the Masses (2nd Tues each month) – noon to 1 pm
May 17 – Travel Watercolor Sketchbook: quick sketches in Mixed Media workshop, 10 am-12:30 pm. $50, plus $20 supply fee.
Tap It Growlers – 110 Maple St., tapitgrowler.com
Saturdays – Karaoke – 8-11 pm
The Arts Council – 331 Spring Street, SW, Gainesville – 770-534-2787,
Email: Kaytiea@theartscouncil.net
Summer Music Series
May 17 – Venue Jazz Orchestra, 8 pm
May 23 – Ultimate Music Wave Festival – 6:30 – 10:30 pm
Jun 7 – Legendary Fund Raiser – Prince and Michael Jackson Tribute – 8 pm
Jun 21 – Riverstreet – 8 pm
Jul 3 – Northwinds Symphonic Band, 8 pm
Jul 19 – WindJammers Unlimited Circus Friend-raiser, 4pm carnival, 7 pm concert
Jul 25 – The Georgia Thunderbolts, 8 pm
Aug 9 – Back in Time, 8 pm
Aug 24 – The Band Loula, 7 pm
Voices of North Georgia – First Baptist Church Gainesville, 751 Green St NW –
May 2, 3 – Choral Pops Showcase – St. Paul United Methodist Church, Gainesville – 7:30 pm
Wild Wing Café – wildwingcafe.com
Tuesdays – Karaoke Night! – 7-10 pm

GWINNETT COUNTY
Players Guild/Eagle Theatre – 5029 W Broad St, Sugar Hill (Gwinnett County) – 770-945-6929, 770-945-6716
Aug 2-4 – As You Like It – free show, no tickets required.

HIAWASSEE-TOWNS COUNTY
Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds – 1311 Music Hall Rd, Hiawassee – 706-896-4191
Thru May 11 – The Rhododendron Festival – open 7 days/week
May 8 – Top of Georgia Plein Air Fine Arts Festival – opens 7:30 am, closes May 10, 5 pm
May 8, 15, 22, 29 – Acoustic Sunsets at Hamilton Gardens – Spring Series – food court, wine bar, live music. (GPS: Pavilion at the Gardens is 96 Pavilion Way)
May 10 – Hiawassee Highlands Wine Festival – 11 am-5 pm
May 10 – Gary Allan – 7 pm
May 17 – Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Festival – 9 am-3 pm
May 24, 25 – Hiawassee Pro Rodeo – opens 24th 6 pm, ends 25th 11:00 pm
May 30 – Night Ranger – 7 pm

WHITE COUNTY (Cleveland, Helen)
City of Helen 
Helen Arts & Heritage Center – 25 Chattahoochee Strasse – 706-878-3933

Smithgall Woods State Park – 61 Tsalaki Trl., Helen – 706-878-3087
May 10 – Blooming Ridge Hike – 10-11:30 am – guided hike on the Laurel Ridge Trail, $5 parking.