[Updated Sept 3, 2025]
Growing up in Georgia, with a Granny from Tennessee and a Granddad whose Scots-Irish ancestors settled the Blue Ridge region nearly 300 years ago, Appalachian culture was part of my birthright.
Though I lived in the suburbs, my soul was fed by visiting family in the country, where Southern food, music (particularly the Holy Trinity of Dolly, Johnny & Willie), and TV shows (The Andy Griffith Show, Hee Haw, etc) were a constant part of my life.
Family trips to North Georgia (including Cloudland Canyon State Park, Lake Hartwell, and hiking part of the Appalachian Trail) proved to be formative influences on my love of the outdoors.
Blue Ridge GA was the first Blue Ridge Mountain town I ever remember visiting as a child. Located less than an hour from our house, it remains among our favorite places to visit today.
It’s also a fantastic place to experience the intersection of great Southern food, live Southern music, and those sensational Blue Ridge mountain views!
Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Lodging Association, the annual Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival has been entertaining and feeding people for 14 years now, raising money for local non-profits in the process.
Read on for our guide to the 2025 Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival, including all the details you need on dates, times, ticket prices, live music, delicious food, and more!
READ MORE: The 25 Best Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA
Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival Info
ADDRESS: 400 W. Main St, Blue Ridge GA
PHONE: (770) 546-9614
2025 BLUE RIDGE BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL DATES: Sept 20
HOURS:
Kickoff Party (Blue Ridge Farmers Market): Thursday, Sept 18, 5:30-7:30PM
BBQ at Old Toccoa Farm: Friday, Sept 19, 5-9PM
Festival (Downtown Blue Ridge): Saturday, Sept 21, 11:30AM–9PM
BLUE RIDGE BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL TICKETS: Official Website
FESTIVAL TICKET PRICES: Adults $20 at the gate, Kids ages 12 & under FREE
PARKING/SHUTTLE INFO: Parking is available throughout Downtown Blue Ridge. Additional parking is available for $5, with free shuttle service. Shuttles run from 11AM to 10PM. All money raised from parking fees will go to local children’s charities.
Driving Directions from Downtown Blue Ridge GA
The festival is in Downtown Blue Ridge. For Friday’s BBQ at Old Toccoa Farm, go northeast on E 1st/Old Hwy 76 up to Mountain Street. Take a left, then an immediate right onto Ada Street to get out of town. In 4.5 miles, take a right onto Curtis Switch Road, and the farm is about half a mile down on the right.
Driving Directions from Downtown Ellijay GA
Ellijay GA (another awesome North Georgia Mountain town) is just a 20-minute drive from the festival. Head south on N Main Street/Old Hwy 5 to get onto US-76 E. After about 12 miles on US-76, take a right onto E 1st Street/Old Hwy 76. Another 1.3 miles will get you to Church Street, where you’ll take a left to get to W Main Street and the festival.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Pet Friendly Cabins in Blue Ridge GA
Things to Do at the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival
1. Eat Friday Night BBQ at Old Toccoa Farm
The 14th annual Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival officially opens on Friday, September 19, when attendees can enjoy food, drinks, and live blues from 5-9PM at The Tavern at Old Toccoa Farm.
Old Toccoa Farm is an amazing event venue located along the tranquil Toccoa River, with amenities such as a tavern, golf course, and phenomenal views.
Tickets to this community fundraiser costs $125 and benefit local non-profits helping children in need, including Snack in a Backpack, Habitat for Humanity, Shop With a Cop, The Ferst Foundation, Fannin County Children’s Fund, and Open Arms.
In addition to great food, local libations, and live music, all attendees will get a swag bag with an official festival t-shirt, free admission to Saturday’s Blues & BBQ Festival, a VIP lanyard, and a raffle ticket for a full day “BBQ with the Pros” class.
READ MORE: Hiking the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge Near Blue Ridge GA
2. Taste Test the Pit Master’s Work
In 2025, this beloved Georgia festival will once again include more than 15 different BBQ vendors, featuring top chefs from all around the state of Georgia.
On Saturday, Sept 20, the gates in Downtown Blue Ridge will open at 11:30AM. But we can guarantee the fragrant smell of barbecue will make your mouth water long before you reach the entrance!
Vendors for this year’s event include AngelFire7 BBQ (Canton), Bussin’ BBQ (Blue Ridge), Choate BBQ (Ball Ground), The Inked Pig (Gainesville), Jim’s Smokin’ Que (Blairsville), Uncle Brian’s BBQ (Resaca) & more.
In addition to barbecue, there will also be vendors selling ice cream, nuts, kettle corn, boiled peanuts, and other tasty treats.
READ MORE: The 12 Best Restaurants in Blue Ridge GA
3. Shop at the Market
This year’s Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival will also feature a market, where foodies can buy sauces, snacks, and other goods.
Barbecue specialists at the market will include Smack Yo Mama Gourmet BBQ Sauce, So Good Bar B Que Sauce, The Farm Sauce, Tiger ‘Stache, and Small Batch Barbecue Company.
Other food-related vendors will include Craved Creations (bakery), Point Blank Pepper Company (pickled peppers & sauces), Regina’s Farm Kitchen (spreads), and Doc’s Healing Hives, a cool organization that helps veterans (and pollinators in the process).
Dark Valley Woodworks will be showing off their carpentry skills and cutting boards. PNG Custom Gifts will have personalized laser-engraved products. And the Deadwood Guitar Co. will be popular among amateur pickers (and those who love them).
READ MORE: Apple Picking in Georgia: The 14 Best GA Apple Orchards to Visit
4. Groove to the Live Music
Tasty food is only part of the fun at the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival, where live blues music will be happening all throughout the day.
The festivities kick off at noon with an hour-long set from Out of the Blue, a Dahlonega-based band led by guitarist Ryan Simmons.
They’ll be followed by 90-minute sets from The Garrett Collins Project (blues-drenched Southern Rock) at 1;30PM, The Crossroads Band (country blues) at 3:30PM, and singer-songwriter Tullie Brae at 5:30PM.
The headliner for this year’s festival is Black Cat Zydeco, who will take the stage from 7:30 to 9PM.
Led by Louisiana-bred accordion player Dwight Carrier, this good-time party band’s unique style incorporates zydeco, blues, country and R&B influences to get your toes tapping and fingers snapping.
READ MORE: What is Bluegrass? The History & Evolution of Appalachian Music
5. Explore Historic Downtown Blue Ridge
Of course, it’s important not to forget that this event is hosted in a premier vacation spot in the North Georgia Mountains. It’s a stunning place, with a magical backdrop and the small town charm cranked up to 11.
Deemed one of the South’s best mountain towns by Southern Living Magazine, Blue Ridge is just 90 miles north of Atlanta, near the GA/TN/NC boundaries.
It has upscale shopping, dining, and galleries, not to mention train rides on a scenic railway and easy access to hiking, white water rafting, and kayaking.
In other words, since you’re already in town for the festival, why not stay another night (or two) and enjoy the beautiful town of Blue Ridge?!
READ MORE: The 10 Best Blue Ridge GA Horseback Riding Tours
6. Thursday Kickoff Party at Blue Ridge Farmers Market
For folks hoping to make the most of this annual Fall festival, there’s also an official kickoff party at Blue Ridge Farmers Market at 787 Summit Street on Thursday, September 18.
This free opening night celebration runs from 5:30-7:30PM, and offers food, drinks, and family-friendly fun.
It’s a great chance to check out the newly revitalized Farmers Market, which reopened in late June with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Blue Ridge Mayor Rhonda Haight and State Representative Johnny Chastain.
The venue hosts recurring community-focused events in Summer, such as Second Saturdays and Blue Ridge Food Truck Thursdays. –by Jonathon Engels & Bret Love; all photos courtesy Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival
