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.
april, 2024
april, 2024
april, 2024
april, 2024
Extended Events
The Arts Council – 331 Spring Street, SW, Gainesville – 770.534.2787, email: julie@theartscouncil.net
Thru Apr. 19 – Inspired by Nature: The Works of James R. Darnell exhibition
Apr. 19, 20 – The Roman Street Quartet
May 4 – Wasting Away…With The Arts Council Fundraiser, with A1A, the Official & Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show
May 18 – The Black Gold Orchestra
Blackstrap Rock Hall – 852 Main St. SW, Gainesville – 678-696-8285
Apr. 6 – Actus Reus/Sunmancer/Vayne
Apr. 27 – Jeremy Would Let Me Down
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.
Apr. 4 – Tyler Farr
Apr. 5 – All My Rowdy Friends, Hank Williams Jr. Trib.
Apr. 6 – Mainstreet, Bob Seger Trib.
Apr. 11 – Drake Milligan
Apr. 12 – Dueling Pianos
Apr. 13 – Babe’s Bayou, ’80s,’ 90s country
Apr. 18 – Kid Kentucky, Kid Rock Trib.
Apr. 19 – Sara Evans
Apr. 20 – Thunderstruck, AC/DC Trib.
Apr. 24 – David Nail
Apr. 25 – Yacht Rock Schooner
Apr. 26 – Sam Bush
Apr. 27 – Skynfolks, Lynyrd Skynrd Trib.
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
Last Fridays through April – Free Art Friday – Find artwork to keep throughout downtown and along walkways of Brenau University campuses; get free coffee, hot cocoa, pastry and tour exhibits at galleries. 770-534-6181
Thru May 23 – Jenny Bishop Heaton, Lavish Delights exhibition
Apr. 8 – Georgia Poetry Circuit Reading with Patrick Rosal
Apr. 15 – VCE & Spectrum Singers present: “There No Place Like Home!”
Apr. 4 – Spread Eagle with Impregnators
Apr. 5 – Departure, Journey Trib.
Apr. 6 – Beyond Recall
Apr. 11 – Damage Inc., Metallica Trib.
Apr. 13 – Drop 3
Apr. 18, 25 – The Andrews Brothers Dueling Pianos
Apr. 19 – Excitable, Def Leppard Trib.
Apr. 20 – Shotgun Orchestra
Apr. 26 – Audiovault & Rackit
Apr. 27 – Suckerpunch
May 3 – Aunt Betty
Buford Community Center Events – 2200 Buford Hwy, Buford – 770-945-6762
Apr. 12 – Tapestry, the Carole King Songbook
Apr. 26 – The Rupert’s Orchestra
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
Apr. 11-14, 18-21 – Disenchanted
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
Apr. 12 – Skyler Saufley
Apr. 26 – Smokey Jones & 3 Dollar Pistols
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
Apr. 5-7 – Finding Nemo Jr.
Apr. 26-May 12 – Bonnie & Clyde
May 25 – Reo Survivor & Co., REO Trib.
April 6, 13, 20 – Discovery Saturday – Wild animal showcase, exhibits, crafts and hike, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., $10 ages 3 and older, free to children younger than 3 and Elachee members.
April 13 & 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.
April l6 – Spring Peeping Hike – Naturalist-guided hike on Lake Loop in Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve, for ages 5+, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free, register in advance.
Flowery Branch – 404-491-9601
April 11 through September (Thursdays) – Farmers Market – Local produce, plus live music, cooking demonstrations, and special events – (3:30-6: 30 p.m April 11 & 25), 3:30 – 7 p.m. May-September, Flowery Branch Market Pavilion, 5310 Railroad Ave.
April 20 – Flowery Branch Spring Festival – Vendors, games, food trucks, live music & more, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Main Street.
FoCAL Center – Forsyth County Arts and Learning Center, 1150 Dahlonega Highway Cumming. 470-695-7826
April 18-21 and April 25-28 – Steel Magnolias, by Robert Harling – bring your family and friends to watch the Bellissimo Theatre Company tell this classic story about Truvy Jones.
Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden –1911 Sweetbay Dr, Gainesville – 404-888-4760
April 13 – Girl Scout Badge Day – Scouts earn nature-based badges with garden tour and activities, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $25 per Scout, free to adults.
April 27 – Oct. 13 – Glass in Flight, Gainesville. Exhibition of glass sculptures catches essence of flight.
Gainesville Theatre Alliance – 678-717-3624
Apr. 12-20 – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ed Cabell Theatre, Gainesville.
Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds – 1311 Music Hall Rd, Hiawassee – 706-896-4191
Apr. 12 – May 12 – Rhododendron Festival
Apr. 20 – Dustin Lynch: Killed the Cowboy Tour
Apr. 25-May 23 – The Concerts at Eller Holler
Apr. 27 – .38 Special
Hall County Library
Gainesville Branch – 770-532-3311, ext. 4011
Apr. 1 – Celestial Book Charms Workshop
Apr. 3 – Author Talk: William Rawlings
Apr. 6 – Greeting Card Workshop
Apr. 6 – NEA Big Read Writer’s Workshop
Apr. 16 – Restoring Your Old Books
Apr. 19, 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
Historic Downtown Dahlonega – Hancock Park, corner of North Park and Warwick St. – 706-864-3711
April 20 – 21 – Bear on the Square Mountain Festival – Celebration of Appalachian culture with music, art, storytelling, workshops and more. www.bearonthesquare.org.
Historic Downtown Gainesville – 112 Main St., SW
April 18 – Art Walk – Discover local galleries, pop-up art shows, artists at various downtown businesses, 2-8 p.m., Includes Art on the Green on Brenau University Lawn.
Interactive Neighborhood Kids – 775 Dorsey St, Gainesville – 770-536-1900
Apr. 1-7 – Rainbow Craft Week
Apr. 8-14 – Doctor Craft Week
Apr. 15-21 – Earth Craft Week
Apr. 22-28 – Penguin Craft Week
Apr. 29-May 5 – Space 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
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
April 19 – Food Truck Friday
April 27 – Gainesville/Hall Dragon Boat Challenge
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)
Apr. 6, 7 – North Georgia Home Show at Ramsey Conference Center, Lanier Tech, Gainesville. Info: 770-535-6371
April 13 – Lanier Technical Foundation 1-Mile Fun Run/5K – 9:30/10 a.m. $25. For details: www.runnersfit.com.
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
April 26 – 28 – HRS Mitty Challenge – Vintage sports car racing, club corrals, camping, vendors & more. Ticket prices vary; free to kids 12 and younger.
NoFo Brew Co. Gainesville – topher@nofobrew.co
Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Trivia Night
Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25 – Music Bingo
Northeast Georgia History Center – 322 Academy St NE, Gainesville – 770-297-5900
Apr. 20 – Free Documentary Film Screening – A President in Our Midst: FDR in Georgia, presented at John S. Burd Center for Performing Arts, Brenau University.
Piedmont University – 1021 Central Ave, Demorest –706-776-0116, 800-277-7020
Apr. 2 – Cantable
Apr. 6 – A1A Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band
Apr. 7 – Piedmont Camerata
Apr. 11 – Wind Ensemble
Apr. 11-14 – Rumors
Apr. 16 – Conservatory Strings
Apr. 19 – Chamber Ensembles
Apr. 27 – Great Composers Concert
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
Apr. 18 – June 8 – Spring Exhibition
June 13 – Aug. 10 – Summer Exhibition
School Street Playhouse (formerly Cumming Playhouse) – 101 School St, Cumming – 770-781-9178
Apr. 26 – May 19 – Don’t Dress for Dinner
Smithgall Woods State Park – 61 Tsalaki Trl., Helen – 706-878-3087
April 20 – Edible & Medicinal Plants – Introduction to foraging edible & medicinal plants, includes guided hike, 10 a.m.-noon- $5, plus $5 parking.
Tallulah Gorge State Park – 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. – 706-754-7981
April 19 – Campfire Cookin’ – Tallulah Falls. Roast s’mores & weenies on the campfire, all you can eat, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
April 22 – Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike – a mile-and-a-half night hike down 310 stairs to a suspension bridge over the falls, 7:45 – 9:15 p.m., $10, plus $5 parking. Register in advance.
Tannery Row Artist Colony – 554 W Main St, Buford – 470-326-6656
Through Apr. 26 – Spring Juried Art Exhibition 2024
University of North Georgia – see website, there are multiple campuses – 678-717-3930
Apr. 1, 8, 15 – Rally for Earth Day Film Festival held at Cleveland Ballroom, Nesbit Bldg., UNG, Gainesville. Info: craftyneiheisel@gmail.com
Apr. 5-7, 12-14 – Puffs Performance
Apr. 10 – Patriot Choir Concert
Apr. 16 – Voice Division Recital
Apr. 18 – Sinfonietta Concert
Apr. 23 – Jazz Band Concert
Apr. 25 – Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert 2024
Vogel State Park – 405 Vogel State Park Rd. – 706-745-2628
Voices of North Georgia – First Baptist Church Gainesville, 751 Green St NW –
Apr. 28, 30 – Give My Regards to Broadway
The Well – 420 Vision Dr., Cumming – 404-271-3178, gigs@thewellga.com
Apr. 13 – Homewreckerz
Apr. 20 – Double Take