Thursday marked the official start of summer, and that makes this weekend the first weekend of the season. There will be plenty to do to kickoff your summer across Northeast Georgia.
Here is the list of events this weekend:
Weekend Events Friday, June 21-23
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS:
Event Name: Food Truck Friday
Event Date & Time: Friday, June 21, 5-9 p.m.
Event Location: Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville
Event Details: Enjoy the sunset over the lake while enjoying live music, food trucks, beverage vendors, retail and activity vendors. Entry to the event is free and open to the public, although you can, for a fee, reserve the best tables if you want to ensure a seat! For details, go to www.exploregainesville.org/food-truck-friday/
Event Name: Braselton Antique & Artisan Festival
Event Date & Time: Friday, June 21 – Sunday, June 23
Event Location: 115 Harrison St., Braselton
Event Details: Enjoy one of the largest vendor markets in the state. Over 300 vendors line the streets of Downtown Braselton welcoming shoppers from all over the southeast. This festival has been happening for over 20 years now and has grown to become a destination all of its own! Food trucks, live music and lots of fun! For details, call 706-824-7204.
Event Name: AthFest Music & Arts Festival
Event Date & Time: Friday, June 21 – Sunday, June 23, all day
Event Location: Athens
Event Details: This 3-day music and arts festival will take place all around the city. Three outdoor stages will have concerts going on the whole time with over 100 acts performing. All the outdoor stages are FREE to the community. Local venues and artists will be participating and the whole city will come alive with music and arts. There will be a KidsFest with activities just for the smaller folks, with games, bouncy houses, crafts and more. Don’t miss the Silent Disco at the Hull Street Stage on Friday night. Find out details at www.athfest.com.
Event Name: Gwinnett R&B Wine and Food Festival
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22 – Sunday, June 23, 12 – 4 p.m. & 6 – 10 p.m. (2 Sessions Both Days)
Event Location: Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Dr., Lawrenceville
Event Details: Soulful tunes and exquisite wines go hand in hand together this weekend. Get ready to sip, savor and sway to your favorite R&B hits, while you indulge in a variety of wines. There will also be food trucks to provide you some tasty treats. Don’t miss out! Complimentary BBQ and wine upon entry. Lawn chairs and tents are welcome. Get tickets at www.eventbrite.com.
Event Name: Summer Nights Car Show
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22, 4 – 8 p.m.
Event Location: Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, 415 Hwy. 53E, Dawsonville
Event Details: Food and craft vendors will be on hand so you can enjoy shopping and eating while browsing some amazing vehicles. Prizes will be given at the end of the evening for Best Paint, Best Muscle, Best Import, Best in Show, Best Street Rod & More. For details, call the Hall of Fame at 706-216-7223.
Event Name: Adult Prom Night
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22, 7 – 10 p.m.
Event Location: The Cottage Vineyard & Winery, 5050 Hwy 129N., Cleveland
Event Details: Dust off those old prom outfits and get ready to dance the night away to classics from every decade! It’s $30 per individual or $50 per couple. A DJ will be playing the hits, while there will also be snacks and charcuteries to keep you fueled. Capture memories with a photo booth and snap some fun memories! Dress like your prom decade! Whether you had prom in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s or 00’s! Get tickets at https://buy.stripe.com/cN2fZZ2ak6lC1he7sl.
Event Name: Family Hayride through Smithgall Woods
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22, 10 a.m.
Event Location: Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen
Event Details: Enjoy a fun, family hayride through the park while a guide tells you the history! Tickets are $5 per person while kids 12 and under are free. A $5 parking pass is required. No reservations necessary. For questions, call the visitor’s center at 706-878-3087.
Event Name: You-Pick Lavender 2024
Event Date & Time: Through Sunday, June 23, various times
Event Location: Red Oak Lavender Farm, 2882 Red Oaks Flat Road, Dahlonega
Event Details: This is the last opportunity to pick lavender as times opened for one last weekend of the season. Once sold out, this is it for the lavender season until next year! Get your tickets at https://redoaklavendar.com/products/you-pick-fresh-lavender-bouquets.
Event Name: Lavender Fest 2024
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Event Location: Lavender Cottage & Garden, 53 Hwy. 255 N., Sautee
Event Details: Arts & Crafts Vendors will be on site while you enjoy the sights and smells of the Lavender fields. It’s the end of Lavender picking season, so we celebrate with Lavender Wand Making (free of charge), culinary tastings, chair massages, face painting and music.
Event Name: Muttgaritaville
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22, 4-7 p.m.
Event Location: Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming 1920 Freedom Parkway, Cumming
Event Details: This summer kick-off hosted by Woof Gang and Forsyth County Pet Resource Center will be a great event to attend with your pet! There will be a Hawaiian shirt contest for dogs or owners, drink specials and gourmet dog treats! Dogs will also be there for adoption.
Event Name: Movies Under the Stars on the Green
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22, 7 p.m.
Event Location: Braselton Town Green, 9876 Davis St., Braselton
Event Details: This month’s movie is Little Mermaid (2023). This is a free, family-friendly event and will start when it gets dark. Bring your family, friends, pets and a chair or blanket. Concessions will be available starting at 7 p.m. Visit https://www.explorebraselton.com for details.
CONCERTS:
Event Name: Dookie: Green Day Tribute Band
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22, 7 p.m.
Event Location: Smithgall Arts Center, Gainesville
Event Details: Enjoy an outdoor concert on the lawn at the Smithgall Arts Center. Rain or shine! Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets or reserve a table. Green Day has long been a favorite and this band honors them to the core. Dookie has made a name for themselves and are highly sought after, bringing the look, sound and energy of the originals. In fact, this band stood in place of Green Day for the “Rock Band” video game. Longtime fans will be amazed by the similarities. Get your tickets, and details, at www.theartscouncil.net.
Event Name: Crystal Gayle Concert
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22, 5 p.m.
Event Location: Boot Barn Hall, Gainesville
Event Details: The world-famous country music artist Crystal Gayle will be in Gainesville for one night only. The Grammy-winning songstress is a beloved country music icon. Get your tickets at www.bootbarnhall.com. Doors open at 5, concert starts at 7 p.m. For ages 14+ only.
Event Name: Ashley Brooks Concert
Event Date & Time: Friday, June 21, 8 p.m.
Event Location: Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming
Event Details: Enjoy a free concert. Just bring your own chairs or blankets. Friendly, leashed, pets are welcome. Ashley Brooks is called the “Georgia Gypsy” and is an up-and-coming country music artist. She writes her own music and gives high-energy performances filled with attitude.
Event Name: Completely Unchained: Tribute to VanHalen
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22, 7 p.m.
Event Location: Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Hwy., Buford
Event Details: With special guests, Last Chance Riders, this is bound to be a fun concert! Hosted by the Buford Community Center, Town Park & Theatre and others, this is a free concert for the community. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets to the lawn. Outside food & beverage is not permitted, but food trucks and concessions will be available on site.
Event Name: These Crowded Streets: A Dave Matthews Tribute Band
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22, 10:30 p.m.
Event Location: The Well, 420 Vision Dr., Cumming
Event Details: This is a free show where you can enjoy all your favorite Dave Matthews songs. Limited VIP Tables are available for $100.
Event Name: John Berry Solo Acoustic Concert
Event Date & Time: Friday, June 21, 6 p.m.
Event Location: Braselton Civic Center, 27 E. Lake Dr., Braselton
Event Details: Country music legend, John Berry has earned multiple Gold and Platinum records over the years. With over 20 singles on the country charges, 6 of which went to Top 5, this is a great chance to enjoy some fun music with an amazing musician. Get tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leather-lace-events-presents-john-berry-solo-acoustic-concert-tickets-871805703327.
Event Name: Double Take 80’s Concert Experience
Event Date & Time: Friday, June 21, 10:30 p.m.
Event Location: The Well, 420 Vision Dr., Cumming
Event Details: ALL of your 80’s favorites in one night! This is a FREE show open to the community. Limited VIP tables are available for $100.00
Event Name: Outlaw Music Festival Tour w/Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Alison Krauss and More!
Event Date & Time: Friday, June 21, 5:30 p.m.
Event Location: Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta
Event Details: So many famous country music singers in one place, you don’t want to miss this concert! With big names like Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson & Family, John Mellencamp, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, you will want to get your tickets fast! Alanis Morisette will be at the same location on Saturday night at 7 p.m., as well. Reserve your spot at www.tickets-center.com.
THEATER PRODUCTIONS:
Event Name: The Importance of Being Earnest Dessert Theatre
Event Date & Time: Friday, June 21, 7 – 9 p.m.
Event Location: The Bridge Church, 223 Torrington Dr., Dahlonega
Event Details: This production by MelloDrama Productions includes a hilarious British comedy, dessert (various choices) and tea/coffee. The scene is set in the 1890’s London where two bachelors create alter ego lives to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who conveniently claim to only love men called Ernest. All proceeds go to support the MelloDrama children’s theatre attending the Broadway Junior Theatre Festival. This is the last weekend for this production, so get tickets at https://www.mellodramaproductions.com/tickets.
Event Name: The Jungle Book Kids
Event Date & Time: Saturday, June 22, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Event Location: The Eagle Theatre, Sugar Hill
Event Details: Enjoy a classic tale told by the children’s theatre. The jungle is jumping with a jazzy beat adapted from the classic Disney animated film. With colorful characters and your favorite songs, you’ll be sure to enjoy singing along. Get your tickets at www.otschildrenstheatre.org/tickets or for details, go to www.eagleatsugarhill.com.
Event Name: Finding Nemo, Jr.
Event Date & Time: Friday, June 21 – Sunday, June 23, Various Times
Event Location: Cherokee Bluff High School, 6603 Spout Springs Rd., Flowery Branch
Event Details: A dad and son both have adventures as they attempt to reunite. Check out what is under the surface of the ocean with amazing characters adapted from the Disney film. Support your local theatre group, Cherokee Bluff Theatre.
