Orchard & Vine Mountain Haus

Blue Ridge Mountains Ellijay, GA

Ellijay Events & Weekend Guide | Orchard & Vine Mountain Haus

Orchard & Vine Mountain Haus · Your Ellijay Host

What's Happening in Ellijay

Your insider guide to live music, winery events, farmers markets, and festivals in Ellijay, Georgia — curated by your hosts at Orchard & Vine Mountain Haus. Updated regularly so every stay has a reason to explore.

🌿 Updated May 2026

🎵 Live Music 🍷 Winery Events 🌿 Farmers Market 🎉 Festivals 🏃 Active & Outdoors 🍎 Apple Country

"The best Ellijay weekends aren't planned — they're discovered. These are the things we'd tell you about over coffee on the porch."

Whether you're planning your trip around a specific event or just wondering what's on when you arrive, this page is your starting point. We keep it current with what's actually happening in Gilmer County — from wineries pouring alongside live music to the festivals that make a Blue Ridge Mountains weekend feel like something worth saving a spot on the calendar for.

Orchard & Vine Mountain Haus puts you right in the middle of it all — 10 minutes from downtown Ellijay, inside Coosawattee River Resort, with a hot tub waiting when the music wraps up.

May 2026

Wednesday, May 27

WED

MAY

🍷 Winery Event

Midweek Mountain Cocktails at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay · ⌛ 3:00 – 6:30pm

Georgia's only liqueur-first distillery pours something special mid-week — apple-forward craft cocktails in a relaxed setting that makes you forget it's a Wednesday. Hosted by Melissa & Caroline, it's the perfect mountain afternoon pick-me-up.

Thursday, May 28

THU

MAY

🍷 Winery Event

Thirsty Thursday Tastings at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay · ⌛ 3:00 – 6:30pm

Kick off your mountain weekend a day early at the Southeast's only liqueur-first distillery. Guided tastings of their signature apple-based spirits in a welcoming setting — the perfect Thursday treat before the weekend hits.

THU

MAY

🎵 Live Music

Open Mic Night at Grapes & Ladders Winery

📍 Grapes & Ladders Winery, Ellijay · ⌛ 5:00 – 8:00pm · 💵 Free

Local voices, guitars, and the occasional surprise set — Open Mic Night at Grapes & Ladders is a beloved Thursday tradition. Come for a glass of wine, stay for the talent. A wonderfully informal way to meet Ellijay locals.

THU

MAY

🍷 Winery Event

Chef's Table Dinner Series at The Butcher & Bottle

📍 The Butcher & Bottle, Ellijay · ⌛ 6:30 – 9:00pm · 💵 Ticketed — call ahead

An intimate, upscale dinner experience at Ellijay's celebrated gastropub. The Chef's Table series pairs elevated seasonal cuisine with curated cocktails — reservations strongly recommended for this perennial crowd-pleaser.

Friday, May 29

FRI

MAY

🍷 Winery Event

Finally Friday Cocktails at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay · ⌛ 3:00 – 6:30pm

Welcome to the weekend, mountain-style. House of Applejay's Friday happy hour brings out the best of their craft spirit lineup in a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere. Best enjoyed with someone you like and a view of the North Georgia hills.

FRI

MAY

🎵 Live Music

Karaoke Night at American Legion Post 82

📍 American Legion Post 82, Ellijay · ⌛ 7:00 – 10:00pm

Friday night karaoke at Post 82 is a local institution — part honky-tonk, part community gathering, all good-natured fun. Grab a cold one and get your song in early. The crowd is welcoming and the vibe is pure small-town Georgia.

Saturday, May 30

SAT

MAY

🌿 Farmers Market

Ellijay Farmers & Artisans Market

📍 Gilmer County Courthouse Parking Lot, Downtown Ellijay · ⌛ 8:30am – 12:30pm · 💵 Free

Start your Saturday morning right at Ellijay's beloved weekly market — fresh local produce, homemade preserves, handcrafted goods, and friendly faces. Grab something for breakfast and wander at your own pace. Runs every Saturday through September.

SAT

MAY

🎵 Live Music

Man Bites Dog — Live at Buckley Vineyards

📍 Buckley Vineyards, Ellijay · ⌛ 1:30 – 5:30pm · 💵 Free

Man Bites Dog brings their energetic, crowd-pleasing set to the vineyard on a beautiful late-May Saturday. Estate wines, mountain views, and afternoon live music — this is the Ellijay experience at its finest.

SAT

MAY

🎵 Live Music

Don Roberts — Live at Grapes & Ladders Winery

📍 Grapes & Ladders Winery, Ellijay · ⌛ 2:00 – 5:00pm · 💵 Free

Don Roberts brings his warm acoustic sound to Grapes & Ladders for a perfect Saturday afternoon session. Pour a glass, find a seat outside, and let the music set the pace for your mountain weekend.

SAT

MAY

🍷 Winery Event

Cocktails with Melissa & Caroline at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay · ⌛ 12:30 – 6:30pm

Spend the afternoon with Melissa and Caroline at the House of Applejay for a full Saturday of craft cocktail pouring. Their signature apple liqueurs shine in flights and mixed drinks — a leisurely, convivial afternoon the North Georgia way.

Sunday, May 31

SUN

MAY

🎵 Live Music

PJ Powell — Live at Buckley Vineyards

📍 Buckley Vineyards, Ellijay · ⌛ 1:30 – 5:30pm · 💵 Free

Close out May in style with PJ Powell's laid-back Sunday set at Buckley Vineyards. The kind of Sunday afternoon that makes you want to push check-out just a little later — estate wines, good music, and no rush whatsoever.

June 2026

Monday, June 1

MON

JUN

🎵 Live Music

Singo Music Bingo at American Legion Post 82

📍 American Legion Post 82, Ellijay · ⌛ 6:30 – 8:30pm

Singo is bingo — but with songs. Recognize the tune playing and dab your card. It's goofy, competitive, and way more fun than it sounds. A favorite among locals looking for a good Monday night reason to get out of the house.

MON

JUN

🎉 Community Event

"The Grunch" Youth Musical — Auditions Night 1

📍 Gilmer Arts Playhouse, 135 Dalton St, Ellijay · ⌛ 6:00 – 8:00pm · 💵 Free to audition

Gilmer Arts is casting for "The Grunch," a charming new youth musical inspired by The Grinch. Young performers are encouraged to audition at Ellijay's beloved downtown playhouse. Second night of auditions is June 2.

Tuesday, June 2

TUE

JUN

🎉 Community Event

"The Grunch" Youth Musical — Auditions Night 2

📍 Gilmer Arts Playhouse, 135 Dalton St, Ellijay · ⌛ 6:00 – 8:00pm · 💵 Free to audition

Second and final night of auditions for Gilmer Arts' new youth musical "The Grunch." If you have young performers in your group who'd love to be part of Ellijay's community theater scene, this is their moment.

Wednesday, June 3

WED

JUN

🍷 Winery Event

Midweek Mountain Cocktails at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay · ⌛ 3:00 – 6:30pm

Another mid-week escape at the Southeast's only liqueur-first distillery. Craft cocktails built on house-made apple spirits, served with the warmth and hospitality Ellijay does best. A perfect Wednesday afternoon detour.

Thursday, June 4

THU

JUN

🍷 Winery Event

Thirsty Thursday Tastings at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay · ⌛ 3:00 – 6:30pm

Guided tastings of House of Applejay's full lineup every Thursday — from their signature liqueurs to seasonal craft cocktails. A relaxed, knowledgeable pour from people who genuinely love what they make.

THU

JUN

🍎 Apple Country

Wool Felting Class at Cress Creeks Farm

📍 Cress Creeks Farm, Ellijay area · ⌛ 5:00 – 7:00pm · 💵 Paid — check with venue

A hands-on craft evening at a charming working farm near Ellijay. Learn the ancient art of wool felting where the sheep are literally right outside. A uniquely North Georgia experience for crafters and curious minds alike.

THU

JUN

🎵 Live Music

Open Mic Night at Grapes & Ladders Winery

📍 Grapes & Ladders Winery, Ellijay · ⌛ 4:00pm · 💵 Free

Open Mic Thursday continues into June at Grapes & Ladders. Local voices, acoustic sets, and the occasional surprise performer against a backdrop of rolling vineyard hills. Estate wine poured throughout — a genuinely lovely Thursday evening in Ellijay.

Friday, June 5

FRI

JUN

🏃 Active & Outdoors

3rd Annual Bearhoti Bikefest at Mulberry Gap — Day 1

📍 Mulberry Gap, Ellijay · ⌛ June 5–7 (all weekend) · 💵 Ticketed — mulberrygap.com

One of the Southeast's most beloved mountain biking events returns to Mulberry Gap for a three-day celebration of trails, community, and two-wheeled adventure in the Cohutta Wilderness. Whether you ride or just want to soak up the energy, Bearhoti is a great reason to be in the mountains this weekend.

FRI

JUN

🎵 Live Music

Afternoon Jam with Brad Tolson at Grapes & Ladders Winery

📍 Grapes & Ladders Winery, Ellijay · ⌛ 2:00pm · 💵 Free

Kick off your Friday afternoon at Grapes & Ladders with a laid-back live set hosted by Brad Tolson. Estate wine on the rolling vineyard property, good music, zero pretension — the quintessential Ellijay warm-up before the weekend hits its stride.

FRI

JUN

🍷 Winery Event

Finally Friday Cocktails at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay · ⌛ 3:00 – 6:30pm

Friday happy hour, mountain distillery style. House of Applejay pours their craft apple-based spirits in a festive Friday atmosphere — the perfect way to officially kick off your Ellijay weekend.

FRI

JUN

🎵 Live Music

Karaoke Night at American Legion Post 82

📍 American Legion Post 82, Ellijay · ⌛ 7:00 – 10:00pm

Friday night karaoke at Post 82 is always a good time — classic small-town fun in a welcoming crowd. Pick your song, grab a drink, and embrace the mountain weekend energy.

Saturday, June 6

SAT

JUN

🌿 Farmers Market

Ellijay Farmers & Artisans Market

📍 Gilmer County Courthouse, Downtown Ellijay · ⌛ 8:30am – 12:30pm · 💵 Free

Fresh produce, local honey, handmade crafts, and good conversation at Ellijay's beloved Saturday market. Start your day downtown before heading out to the orchards or wineries.

SAT

JUN

🍷 Winery Event

Namaste & Cabernet — Yoga in the Vines

📍 Ellijay winery (unconfirmed) · ⌛ 10:45am – 12:00pm · 💵 Paid — check with venue

Stretch, breathe, and unwind with a yoga session followed by wine — a pairing that makes complete sense when you're surrounded by North Georgia mountain views. A uniquely Ellijay way to start a Saturday. (unconfirmed — verify with Gilmer Chamber)

SAT

JUN

🏃 Active & Outdoors

3rd Annual Bearhoti Bikefest — Day 2

📍 Mulberry Gap, Ellijay · ⌛ All day · 💵 Ticketed — mulberrygap.com

Day two of the Bearhoti Bikefest brings the full energy of North Georgia's premier mountain biking gathering. Group rides, great trails, community campfire vibes — one of the best weekends to be in the mountains.

SAT

JUN

🎵 Live Music

Brett Cantrell — Live at Buckley Vineyards

📍 Buckley Vineyards, Ellijay · ⌛ 1:30 – 5:30pm · 💵 Free

Brett Cantrell delivers an afternoon of live music at one of Ellijay's most welcoming vineyards. Estate wines, outdoor seating, and the kind of North Georgia Saturday that lingers in your memory long after you head home.

SAT

JUN

🍷 Winery Event

Cocktails with Melissa & Caroline at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay · ⌛ 12:30 – 6:30pm

A full Saturday afternoon of craft cocktail pouring with Melissa and Caroline at the House of Applejay. Come for a tasting flight of their award-winning apple spirits and stay for the conversation — no rush, just good drinks and good company.

Sunday, June 7

SUN

JUN

🏃 Active & Outdoors

3rd Annual Bearhoti Bikefest — Final Day

📍 Mulberry Gap, Ellijay · ⌛ All day · 💵 Ticketed — mulberrygap.com

The closing day of the Bearhoti Bikefest brings final group rides and the warm community sendoff that Mulberry Gap does so well. A fitting end to one of the best mountain biking weekends in the Southeast.

SUN

JUN

🍎 Apple Country

Baby Lamb Hayride Tour at Cress Creeks Farm

📍 Cress Creeks Farm, Ellijay area · ⌛ 11:00am – 3:00pm · 💵 Paid — reserve ahead

One of the most charming things you can do in North Georgia — a guided hayride through a working farm with baby lambs and all the pastoral goodness that makes Ellijay feel like a different world. Great for families and anyone who needs a dose of simple, genuine joy.

SUN

JUN

🍷 Winery Event

Equine & Wine at Grapes & Ladders Winery

📍 Grapes & Ladders Winery, Ellijay · ⌛ 1:00 – 5:00pm · 💵 Paid — check with venue

Horses and wine — two things that pair surprisingly well. Grapes & Ladders hosts this unique Sunday experience featuring local horses alongside their estate wines. A truly one-of-a-kind Ellijay afternoon that guests keep talking about long after they leave.

SUN

JUN

🎵 Live Music

Lucas Smith — Live at Buckley Vineyards

📍 Buckley Vineyards, Ellijay · ⌛ 1:30 – 5:30pm · 💵 Free

Lucas Smith closes out the weekend with a live afternoon set at Buckley Vineyards. Estate wines and good music — the perfect Sunday send-off before heading back down the mountain.

Monday, June 8

MON

JUN

🎵 Live Music

Singo Music Bingo at American Legion Post 82

📍 American Legion Post 82, Ellijay · ⌛ 6:30 – 8:30pm

Music bingo returns to Post 82 on Monday evening. Recognize the song, dab your card, win bragging rights. A lighthearted local tradition that's become a fan favorite in Ellijay.

Wednesday, June 10

WED

JUN

🍷 Winery Event

Midweek Mountain Cocktails at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay · ⌛ 3:00 – 6:30pm

Wednesday afternoon cocktails at the House of Applejay — because sometimes the mountains deserve a mid-week celebration. Apple spirits, warm hospitality, and a welcome pause in the middle of a beautiful North Georgia week.

Thursday, June 11

THU

JUN

🇺🇸 Community Event

Free FIFA World Cup Watch Party at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay Distillery · ⌛ 3:00 – 5:00pm · 💵 Free

The 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to the mountains — with the USA, Canada, and Mexico co-hosting the world's biggest sporting event, House of Applejay opens up for free soccer watch parties starting today. Come cheer for the USA with craft apple cocktails in hand. History in the making, North Georgia style.

THU

JUN

🍷 Winery Event

Thirsty Thursday Tastings at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay · ⌛ 3:00 – 6:30pm

The weekly Thirsty Thursday tasting lineup continues alongside World Cup watch parties at House of Applejay. Sample their full range of apple-based craft spirits in a friendly, unhurried setting.

Friday, June 12

FRI

JUN

🇺🇸 Community Event

Free FIFA World Cup Watch Party at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay Distillery · ⌛ 3:00 – 5:00pm · 💵 Free

World Cup watch parties continue Friday afternoon at the House of Applejay. An only-in-Ellijay experience — cheering for the beautiful game while sipping craft apple spirits with mountain air on your face.

FRI

JUN

🍷 Winery Event

Jade & Lotus Dinner in the Barrel Room — Roo Mountain Vineyards

📍 Roo Mountain Vineyards, Ellijay · ⌛ 5:30 – 8:00pm · 💵 $150/person — 38 seats only

An intimate Asian-inspired culinary dinner for just 38 guests in the softly lit Barrel Room at Roo Mountain Vineyards. Bold flavors, beautiful balance, and mountain wine paired alongside each course. This one sells out fast — book early at roomountainvineyards.com.

FRI

JUN

🎵 Live Music

Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute at Chateau Meichtry

📍 Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard, Ellijay · ⌛ 6:30 – 9:30pm · 💵 Ticketed — chateaumeichtry.co

Friends in low places? Try North Georgia wine country. The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute takes the stage at Chateau Meichtry for a Friday night concert under the mountain sky. Expect the hits, the energy, and a crowd that knows every word — estate wine in hand, of course.

FRI

JUN

🎵 Live Music

Karaoke Night at American Legion Post 82

📍 American Legion Post 82, Ellijay · ⌛ 7:00 – 10:00pm

Friday karaoke at Post 82 returns — a lively, welcoming night of crowd-pleasing performances and good-natured competition. If the Garth tribute has you warmed up and ready to sing, this is your next stop.

Saturday, June 13

SAT

JUN

🌿 Farmers Market

Ellijay Farmers & Artisans Market

📍 Gilmer County Courthouse, Downtown Ellijay · ⌛ 8:30am – 12:30pm · 💵 Free

Saturday morning at the farmers market — the best ritual in Ellijay. Local produce, artisan crafts, homemade preserves, and the kind of easy downtown morning that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile.

SAT

JUN

🎉 Community Event

First Responders Breakfast

📍 Ellijay, GA · ⌛ 9:00am – 12:00pm · 💵 Check with local organizers

A community breakfast honoring Ellijay's firefighters, EMS, and law enforcement who serve Gilmer County every day. A heartwarming local gathering that speaks to what makes small-town Georgia so special.

SAT

JUN

🎵 Live Music

Connor Priest — Live at Buckley Vineyards

📍 Buckley Vineyards, Ellijay · ⌛ 1:30 – 5:30pm · 💵 Free

Connor Priest brings his crowd-pleasing set to Buckley Vineyards on Saturday afternoon. Estate wines, great music, and mountain views that never get old — one of North Georgia's most reliable vineyard experiences.

SAT

JUN

🇺🇸 Community Event

Free FIFA World Cup Watch Party at House of Applejay

📍 House of Applejay Distillery · ⌛ 3:00 – 5:00pm · 💵 Free

World Cup watch parties continue at the House of Applejay on Saturday. Apple spirits, great company, and beautiful soccer — only in Ellijay, Georgia.

SAT

JUN

🎵 Live Music

Kharisma Jazz Funk Band — Evening at Roo Mountain Vineyards

📍 Roo Mountain Vineyards Rooftop Patio, Ellijay · ⌛ 6:00 – 8:00pm · 💵 $40 — roomountainvineyards.com

Cap your Ellijay weekend with an unforgettable evening — Kharisma Entertainment's Jazz Funk show on the rooftop at Roo Mountain Vineyards, featuring a tribute to Old School R&B under the mountain sky. Advance tickets required; this one fills up fast.

🎵 Live music at Buckley Vineyards, Cartecay Vineyards, Chateau Meichtry, and Fainting Goat Vineyards continues every weekend — see below for details.

🔄

Every Weekend in Ellijay

These happen rain or shine, all season long. No matter when you visit, these are the anchors of a great Ellijay weekend.

🌿

Every Saturday · May – Sept

Ellijay Farmers & Artisans Market

⌛ 8:30am – 12:30pm · Downtown Ellijay

50+ vendors, fresh local produce, handmade goods, and free parking just off the Square. The best way to start a Saturday morning in Georgia's Apple Capital.

🎵

Sat & Sun · Year-round

Live Music at Buckley Vineyards

⌛ 1:30 – 5:30pm · buckleyvineyards.com

Consistent live music every weekend at one of Ellijay's most welcoming vineyards. Local and regional artists, outdoor seating, and estate wines poured by people who care.

🍷

Sat & Sun · Year-round

Live Music at Chateau Meichtry

⌛ 1:30 – 5:30pm · Tours Sat 12:30pm · chateaumeichtry.co

Weekend live music, food trucks, and tastings at one of North Georgia's most award-winning estate wineries. Saturday vineyard tours at 12:30pm.

🎸

Sat & Sun · Seasonal

Live Music at Cartecay Vineyards

⌛ Weekend afternoons · cartecayvineyards.com

Local and regional artists on the Chimney Patio every weekend in good weather. Dog-friendly, food trucks on weekends. The kind of place that becomes your favorite accidentally.

🍷

Sat & Sun · Year-round

Live Music at Fainting Goat Vineyards

⌛ 1:30 – 5:30pm · Jasper, GA (near Ellijay) · faintinggoatvineyardsandwinery.com

Live music every Saturday and Sunday at this charming Pickens County winery just south of Ellijay. Also hosts regular Yoga, Paint & Sip, and Bingo nights — check their events page for the full lineup.

🏔️ A Note from Your Hosts

This page is updated regularly, but Ellijay moves fast — especially on weekends. For the most current lineup of live music and special events, check the Gilmer County Chamber community calendar and Downtown Ellijay's events page before you head out. And if you find something great that's not on our radar yet, text