Blue Ridge at a glance
- CountyFannin County (county seat)
- Population, 2020 Census1,253U.S. Census Bureau
- Elevation1,766 ftUSGS elevation at the town centre
- From downtown Atlantaabout 1 h 50 minby road, no traffic
What to know about Blue Ridge
- Blue Ridge was founded in 1886 after the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad arrived. Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB
- Blue Ridge is the county seat of Fannin County. Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB
- The historic Fannin County Courthouse, built in 1937, now houses the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association's Arts Center. Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB
- The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway leaves the historic downtown depot for a 26-mile round trip along the Toccoa River, with two-hour and four-hour options. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
- Blue Ridge Lake is a 3,290-acre TVA reservoir. USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
- Blue Ridge is known as the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia. Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB
- Spring Arts in the Park is held in downtown Blue Ridge on Memorial Day weekend. Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB
- Fall Arts in the Park is held in downtown Blue Ridge on the second Sunday in October. Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB
- Light Up Blue Ridge and the Christmas Parade take place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB
- Downtown Blue Ridge City Park has a playground at East Main and Church Streets. Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB
- Blue Ridge is home to the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and Mercier Orchards. Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB
- The Fannin County Chamber's main welcome center is at 152 Orvin Lance Drive, Suite A, Blue Ridge; a downtown info center is at 282 West Main Street. Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB
Coming up in Blue Ridge
Handmade for the Holidays
Organizer date for 2026A holiday market of local and regional artisans selling handcrafted goods. Listed items include soaps, woodwork, jewelry, pottery, toys, fiber art and glass art. Admission is free.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Free Source: Blue Ridge / Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism (blueridgemountains.com), checked 2026-10-19
Annual Christmas Tour of Trees
Organizer date for 2026A display of decorated Christmas trees at Serenity in the Mountains, open on two Sunday afternoons. Proceeds support Shop With a Cop. Admission is $20 per person.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
$20 Source: Blue Ridge / Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism (blueridgemountains.com), checked 2026-10-19
Holiday Market at Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association
Organizer date for 2026A holiday retail exhibit of artwork and handcrafted items made by the arts association's member artists. Jewelry, pottery and paintings are among the items for sale. It runs for about five weeks, Tuesday through Sunday.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Blue Ridge / Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism (blueridgemountains.com), checked 2026-10-19
Blue Ridge on Ice
Organizer date for 2026A seasonal pop-up ice rink at the Blue Ridge Farmers Market, next to the Swan Drive-In. It is open to skaters of all levels and has a concession stand. Admission is $15 for ages 13 and up, $12 for ages 12 and under, and $10 for active military.
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$15 (13+); $12 (12 and under); $10 active military Source: Blue Ridge / Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism (blueridgemountains.com), checked 2026-10-19
Blue Friday (Light Up Blue Ridge weekend)
Organizer date for 2026The first day of Light Up Blue Ridge weekend, the day after Thanksgiving. Downtown merchants offer store discounts, and there are food vendors and live entertainment. The Gingerbread Village at the Arts Center opens to the public at noon the same day.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Light Up Blue Ridge (organiser site), checked 2026-10-19
Light Up Blue Ridge: Christmas Parade and Lighting of the Great Tree
Organizer date for 2026The Saturday after Thanksgiving brings a downtown Christmas parade and the lighting of the Great Tree. Organisers say there will be free activities, live entertainment and photos with Santa. The event goes ahead rain, snow or shine.
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Source: Light Up Blue Ridge (organiser site), checked 2026-10-19
St. Luke's Annual Christmas Bazaar and Silent Auction
Organizer date for 2026An indoor Christmas bazaar selling frozen entree casseroles, baked goods and handmade gifts, along with a silent auction. Admission and parking are free, and only cash and checks are accepted. Proceeds go to help local neighbours.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Free Source: Blue Ridge / Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism (blueridgemountains.com), checked 2026-10-19
The Nutcracker Ballet (STUDIO 1 Performing Arts School)
Organizer date for 2026STUDIO 1 Performing Arts School stages The Nutcracker, with afternoon and evening shows. Performances are at the Fannin County High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15.
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$15 Source: Blue Ridge / Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism (blueridgemountains.com), checked 2026-10-19
Every North Georgia event in the finder
How far is Blue Ridge?
Drive times by road
| Town | Atlanta | Alpharetta | Marietta | Lawrenceville | Athens | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge | about 1 h 50 min93 mi | about 1 h 36 min70 mi | about 1 h 31 min75 mi | about 2 h 4 min87 mi | about 2 h 29 min112 mi | about 1 h 51 min83 mi |
Computed 2026-10-19 with the OSRM router on OpenStreetMap data, town centre to town centre. free-flow driving time, no traffic
Visitor information
Fannin County Chamber Main Welcome Center, 152 Orvin Lance Drive, Suite A, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Official visitor site
Downtown Blue Ridge, where the scenic railway leaves from, has its own guide: Blue Ridge Downtown.
Towns near Blue Ridge
- Ellijay about 15 mi straight-line
- Blairsville about 21 mi straight-line
- Young Harris about 27 mi straight-line
Dates, times and rules can change. Each listing links the organizer or local government page it came from, with the date we checked it; confirm there before you go.
