NOTE: Please check all venue websites for updated information.

Local

October 2-5

Augusta Greek Festival

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Festival features Greek food and pastries, dancing, entertainment, Greek market and Greek Taverna. Thurs. 4-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat.11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is free. holytrinityaugusta.org

October 4

Oliver Hardy Festival

Downtown Harlem

Festival celebrates Harlem’s native son. Includes 10 a.m. parade, Laurel and Hardy impersonators, Laurel and Hardy films, arts and crafts, food vendors, live entertainment and more. Free. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. harlemmuseumandwelcomecenter.com

October 3-4

Southern Strings Festival

Bruce’s Field

Aiken music festival features performances from renowned artists including Greensky Bluegrass, Leftover Salmon, Futurebirds, Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass, Town Mountain, Susto Stringband and more. Food and beverage vendors available. Bring chairs and blankets. $55 and up. southernstringsfest.com

October 10-19

Western Carolina State Fair

Western Carolina State Fairgrounds

Aiken’s fair features two midways and more than 40 rides along with family shows, horticulture exhibits and arts and crafts. Entertainment includes Dangerous Feats of Comedy, Wheels of Agriculture, Tractor Driving Competition, rodeo, beer garden and more. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult 25 or older to enter. There is a clear bag policy. westerncarolinastatefair.com

October 11

Clucktoberfest

Evans Market

Wing enthusiasts and beer lovers can sample crisp craft beers and fiery flavors at Columbia County’s inaugural Clucktoberfest. The event features food trucks, unlimited beer tastings, live music and celebrity wing-tasting contest. 3-6 p.m. $30. Must be 21 or older to attend. theclucktoberfest.com

October 17-26

Georgia-Carolina State Fair

Downtown Augusta

Augusta Exchange Club’s fair on Hale Street includes midway rides, livestock shows, artisan exhibits and attractions that include Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show, Amazing Bubble Factor, Rock-N-Circus and more. Ages 17 or under must be accompanied by an adult. georgiacarolinastatefair.com

October 18

Fall Fest & Flea Market

Barton Field

Fort Gordon festival features live entertainment, food and beverage vendors, flea market, vendor village with handcrafted items, crafts area for kids, family activities and pony rides. Festival is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Flea Market is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public (see access procedures on the website). gordon.armymwr.com

October 25

Fall Festival

Mistletoe State Park

Mistletoe brings back this outdoor festival for old-fashioned family fun. Activities include hayrides, pumpkin archery, a scarecrow scavenger hunt and lots of games. Noon-4 p.m. $10. $5 parking. (706) 541-0321, gastateparks.org

Camellia City Festival

Downtown Thomson

Family friendly festival features more than 100 vendors. Includes food, live music, crafters, artists, health and wellness services, jewelry, book signings and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Bring chairs or blankets. thomsonmcduffiechamber.com

October 30-November 9

Columbia County Fair

Columbia County Fairgrounds

Presented by the Merchants Association of Columbia County, the fair features midway rides, demolition derbies, American Motor Drome Company Wall of Death, Wardrobe of Wishes, Agri-Golf, Cowboy Andy, Fire Guy, petting zoo, master chainsaw artist, nightly concerts and more. $10 admission; ages 5 and under admitted free with an adult. Unlimited rides $25-$30. After 7 p.m., ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent. Clear bags only. Proper attire is required. Parking is free. Gate for handicap drop-off is off William Few Pkwy. columbiacountyfair.net

Regional

September 25-October 5

MOJA Arts Festival

Charleston

Celebration of African American and Caribbean arts includes classical music, dance, gospel concert, jazz concert, poetry, R&B, storytelling, theater, visual arts and ethnic food. Various venues. mojafestival.com

September 25-November 2

Oktoberfest

Helen

The longest running Oktoberfest in the United States features German music, German food and drinks, polka dancing, horse-drawn carriage rides, homemade fudge and shopping in a Bavarian-style village. Open weekends Sept. 4-7, 11-14 and 18-21 and daily Sept. 25-Nov. 2. Helen Festhalle open Mon.-Thu. 6-10:30 p.m., Fri. 6 p.m.-midnight, Sat. 1 p.m.-midnight and Sun. 1-7 p.m. helenga.org

Pumpkin Festival

Stone Mountain

Play by day, glow by night at this festival that includes pumpkin patch, games, shows, dance party parade, trick-or-treat scavenger hunt, pie-eating contest, storybook characters, outdoor lights display, pumpkin laser show and after-dark parade. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri., Sat. and Sun. Laser show begins 9:30 p.m. Sat. stonemountainpark.com

September 26-October 5

Georgia State Fair

Atlanta

Fair includes midway rides, petting zoo, shows, attractions and family activities. Admission $5-$15; children 4 and under free. Atlanta Motor Speedway. georgiastatefair.org

September 28

Bacon Fest

Ellijay

Festival includes bacon-eating contest, food vendors, artists and family activities. No pets. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free; parking $10. Gilmer River Park. ellijaybaconfest.com

October 1-4

Albino Skunk Music Festival

Greer

Bluegrass, Americana, folk, roots and rock music festival in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains features more than 25 bands, food vendors, craft beers, handmade crafts, farmers market, Kiddieland and DeTour de Skunk charity bicycle ride. Bring chairs and coolers. Tent and RV camping available. The Skunk Farm. albinoskunk.com

October 2-4

Moonshiners Reunion & Mountain Music Festival

Campobello

Authentic Appalachian folk festival in South Carolina includes live bands, arts and crafts, camping and all-night picking sessions. Bring lawn seating, tents, RVs and musical instruments. No pets or glass containers. Plum Hollow Farm. moonshiners.com

October 2-12

Georgia National Fair

Perry

The largest fair in the Southeast is designated a Top 50 Fair in North America by Amusement Business magazine and one of the Best 202 Things About the South by Southern Living. Includes midway rides, live entertainment and nightly fireworks. Concerts include Shenandoah, George Birge, Tracy Lawrence and more. Georgia National Fairgrounds. georgianationalfair.com

October 3-4

Beaufort Shrimp Festival

Beaufort

Festival features shrimp dishes from local and regional restaurants, food and beverage vendors, contests, live music, Run Forrest Run 5K Run/Walk, arts and crafts market and children’s area. Fri. 5-10 p.m. and Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. beaufortshrimpfestival.com

October 4

Mermaids & Mateys Festival

Folly Beach

Celebrate the sea with a touch of spooky fun. The family friendly event includes three stages of live music, more than 70 arts, crafts and food vendors and a kid zone. Dress up as a Mermaid, Matey or your favorite “Under the Sea” character. Prizes awarded. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission $10-$1; kids 12 and under are free. visitfolly.com

EGGtoberfest

Lawrenceville

Festival features unlimited samplings from more than 200 cooks, celebrity chefs, Atlanta restaurants and EGGfest champions. Includes cooking demos, live music, kid zone, craft beer tastings, swag bag and more. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Advance tickets required. Coolray Field. biggreenegg.com

October 4-5

Fall Cotton Fair

Gay, Georgia

Designated a Top 20 Event from Southeast Tourism Society, this craft fair features works from more than 350 artists, live music and entertainment, homemade Southern food and wares, antiques, magic theater, children’s activities and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. children 10 and under are free. thecottonfair.com

October 5

Latin American Festival

Charleston

Celebrate Latin and Caribbean cultures with food, folkloric art and crafts, dance and music including merengue, reggaeton, bachata and salsa. Noon-5 p.m. Wannamaker County Park. ccprc.com

October 8-19

South Carolina State Fair

Columbia

Entertainment includes midway games, nearly 70 fair rides, stage shows, flower shows, equine show, petting zoo, concerts and more. Stroller, wagon, wheelchair and scooter rentals available at the South Gate. scstatefair.org

October 9-11

Savannah Greek Festival

Savannah

Three-day celebration of Greek food, music and heritage features homemade Greek foods and desserts, Greek dancing and music, church tours, marketplace and more. St. Paul’s Hellenic Center. savannahgreekfest.com

October 9-12

Tybee Island Pirate Fest

Tybee Island

Tybee transforms into a pirate village and celebrates the seafaring history of the Georgia coast. Festival kicks off Thurs. with the Buccaneer Ball featuring grub, grog, pirates, wenches, music and dancing. Entertainment Fri. and Sat. includes live music, petting zoo, kids’ zone, carnival, parade, fireworks, market and costume contests. tybeepiratefest.com

October 10-12

Fall for Greenville

Greenville

Three-day food-tasting event spread over 8 blocks in downtown Greenville includes cuisine from more than 50 restaurants, more than 80 entertainers on eight stages, contests, challenges and kids’ area. Free admission; tasting tickets available. fallforgreenville.net

October 10-12, 16-18

Georgia Mountain Fall Festival

Hiawassee

Two weekends of arts and crafts, country music, gospel music, mountain arts demonstrations, Pioneer Village, midway rides and more. Concert lineup includes Neal McCoy, Ronnie McDowell, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Trace Adkins and more. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. Parking is free. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

October 10-19

Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival

Bluffton

Event features locally harvested seafood, Lowcountry cuisine and area art. Streetfest on Oct. 18 and 19 includes a juried fine art show featuring more than 100 artists from 10 different states, food from premier restaurants and caterers and live music and entertainment. blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.org

October 11-12, 18-19

Georgia Apple Festival

Ellijay Fairgrounds

Festival features more than 300 arts vendors, craft demonstrations, classic auto show, 5K road race and parade. No pets. Children 12 and under free. Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds. georgiaapplefestival.org

October 16-19

South Carolina Jazz Festival

Cheraw

The hometown of jazz king Dizzy Gillespie celebrates his 107th birthday with dozens of diverse jazz performances. Multiple venues. scjazzfestival.com

October 17-19

Highland Games & Scottish Festival

Stone Mountain

Scottish heritage festival includes traditional highland games, Scottish music and dancing, sheepdog and falconry shows, Tartan museum and more at Stone Mountain Park. stonemountainpark.com

Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens

Beaufort

Visitors can explore a selection of private homes, gardens and plantations normally not open to the public. Sat. tour features homes in the Bluff and Glebe neighborhoods. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $75-$85. Sun. tour and Lowcountry brunch at the Robert Means-Gage. 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $200-$225. historicbeaufort.org

October 18

Italian Heritage Festival

Hilton Head

Festival includes Italian food and wine, cooking demonstrations, grape stomping, pizza-eating contest, games, live entertainment and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring lawn chairs. No pets. Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. iachh.org

October 18-19

Gold Rush Days Festival

Dahlonega

Festival in the town square includes kid activities, fashion show, gold panning contest, wheelbarrow race, wrist wrestling, King and Queen coronation, live music, parade and more than 300 exhibitors and food vendors. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Free admission. goldrushdaysfestival.com

October 24-25

Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival

Jekyll Island

Festival features samples of shrimp and grits, shrimp boat tours, live entertainment, cook-off, craft brew tasting, cooking demonstrations, book signings, artist market and kids’ zone. Historic District. jekyllisland.com

October 24-26

Pat Conroy Literary Festival

Beaufort

Festival features a series of free and ticketed events including author discussions, writer workshops, acclaimed presenters and more. patconroyliteraryfestival.org

October 25-November 1

SCAD Savannah Film Festival

Savannah

Savannah College of Art and Design showcases cinematic excellence through competition film screenings, gala premieres, receptions, special screenings, workshops and more with lauded industry guests, award-winning professionals and emerging student filmmakers. Various venues and prices. filmfest.scad.edu

October 29-November 2

Hilton Head Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance

Hilton Head and Savannah

Automotive and motorsports festival features vintage cars and racecars and major international names in automotive collecting and racing. Port Royal Golf Club. hhiconcours.com

November 1-2

Chastain Park Arts Festival

Atlanta

Named one of the nation’s Top 100 Arts Festivals, the event along Park Drive features more than 175 artists and artisans, live music, food and beverage vendors, gourmet food trucks and children’s area. Free admission. chastainparkartsfestival.com

Everything Outdoor Fest

Simpsonville, SC

Two-day immersive outdoor festival showcases outdoor activities including fishing, cycling, off-roading, camping and hiking. Includes activities, workshops and entertainment. Talk to industry experts and demo a bike or paddleboard. Historic Hopkins Farm. everythingoutdoorfest.com

November 7-16

Charleston Literary Festival

Charleston

More than 40 authors and speakers take the stage for unscripted conversations followed by book signings. Includes Joyce Carol Oates, Jenna Bush Hager, Patricia Altschul, Dr. Etta L. Fields-Black, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Michael Cunningham and more. Dock Street Theatre. charlestonliteraryfestival.com