Spring doesn’t ask for permission in Northeast Georgia—it arrives in a lavender haze of wind and wisteria. Festivals, picnics, and parades unfurl alongside the season’s first blooms. One might even say the hills are alive with the sound of music. With such an abundance of outdoor gatherings, it can be difficult to distinguish between a parking lot party with a moonbounce and what’s memorable and meaningful.
So here, for your consideration, is a curated list of outdoor activities that combine elegance with ease and refinement with rustic charm. These events don’t hide in ballrooms or behind velvet ropes. They unfold under string lights, around fire pits, and beside quiet orchards—celebrating the art of living beautifully, out in the open.
Twilight Picnic & Bonfire at Arrows Farm | Clarkesville, GA
For the price of two large pizzas, elevate date night at the Twilight Picnic & Bonfire at Arrows Farm in Clarkesville, GA – hosted by The Cute North Georgian Magazine. Picture this: A cozy farm on the edge of town, a Downton Abbey-style picnic beneath the stars, and you, sipping wine, nibbling charcuterie, and painting by firelight and string lights.
What’s included in our all-inclusive event:
● Elegant picnic spread (charcuterie, berries, crudité, desserts)
● Wine bar & gourmet coffee
● Thoughtful and attractive decor
● Paint & sip session (all supplies included)
● Bonfire vibes, good company, and a night to remember
● Perfect for date nights, friend nights, or solo adventurers looking for something special.
Text or call 706-299-8407 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot! Cost is $55.00. Review the Facebook event page, HERE. Picture a Downton Abbey–style picnic: charcuterie boards piled high with berries and cheese, a wine bar that whispers your name, and gourmet coffee. Whether you come with a date, a best friend, or a quiet spirit ready to be re-lit, the night delivers more than ambiance. You can be as social or as secluded as you like—linger with friends or slip away into one of the farm’s many alcoves, swings, or tucked-away seats. It offers a curated escape from the ordinary.
Ramshackle Street Festival | Clayton, GA
Downtown Clayton trades traffic for tambourines this June when the Ramshackle Street Festival returns to Main Street with a day-long celebration of music, community, and creative energy. Scheduled for June 7, 2025, the free, open-air festival runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and promises a high-octane lineup featuring Kobanova, Town Mountain, and rising local talent Breeze Cable. Kobanova, a Georgia-born band with roots in Athens, Atlanta, and Blue Ridge, blends southern rock, alt-country, modern pop, and “cinematic space noise” into something unmistakably their own. Following their 2023 debut album and a 30-show tour across six states, they’re set to release a new EP, Ballroom, in June 2025. Known for jam-driven live performances and a dynamic, ever-expanding lineup, Kobanova takes pride in creating a fresh, immersive experience at every show.
This in addition to Asheville’s Town Mountain who will bring their signature sound—a spirited mix of honky tonk attitude and bluegrass roots. Their latest album, Lines in the Levee, released through Nashville’s New West Records, captures the band’s evolution while preserving their Appalachian soul. The group, revered for their coast-to-coast live shows, includes founding members Robert Greer and Jesse Langlais, with a lineup rounded out by Phil Barker, Bobby Britt, Zach Smith, and Miles Miller. Town Mountain continues to channel their camaraderie into an electrifying, genre-defying sound that’s both timeless and unrepentantly modern.
Opening the main stage this year is Breeze Cable, named Ramshackle’s Rising Star of 2025. Originally from the Lake Norman and Charlotte area, Breeze has found a new home performing across the mountains of North Carolina and North Georgia. Her soulful voice, blending indie, alternative, and country, along with intimate storytelling, has made her a local favorite at venues from Scaly Mountain to Clayton. With more than 25 original songs and a presence that captivates crowds of all ages, Breeze Cable is one to watch.
While the music anchors the event, the spirit of Ramshackle goes beyond the stage. Expect vendor booths, family-friendly activities, and plenty of local flavor as Main Street transforms into a colorful corridor of celebration.
For updates and full schedule details, visit www.VisitClaytonGa.net and Ramshackle Street Festival for more information.
The Mountain Laurel Festival | Clarkesville, GA
The Mountain Laurel Festival in Clarkesville, Georgia, is a cherished annual celebration that captures the essence of spring in the North Georgia mountains. Now in its 63rd year, the festival offers a vibrant array of arts and crafts, live music, and community events that draw visitors from across the region.
A highlight of the festivities is the Volunteers for Literacy’s (VFL) Dec-a-Duck competition, where local businesses and individuals showcase their creativity by decorating large rubber ducks in imaginative themes. These whimsical creations are displayed during the festival, adding a playful and artistic flair to the event.
The excitement continues at Pitts Park, where the VFL hosts the annual Rubber Duck Race on the Soque River. This family-friendly event features thousands of rubber ducks racing downstream, with prizes awarded to the fastest ducks.
Prior to the race, the park transforms into a Family Fun Zone, offering games, activities, and entertainment for all ages. The Duck Race not only provides an afternoon of enjoyment but also supports VFL’s literacy programs in Habersham County, making it a meaningful and engaging part of the Mountain Laurel Festival.
By Arx Fortis at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44941690
Conclusion
From flower festivals to twilight picnics, these five events offer more than seasonal charm—they cultivate community, elegance, and a fresh reason to step outside. Northeast Georgia knows how to welcome spring.
Carly McCurry is the publisher of The Cute North Georgian magazine. Her work appears on NowHabersham.com in partnership with Now Network News.
