Happy 250th Birthday, America! With so much to celebrate across the country, Cherokee County, GA is showing out with a variety of events for adults and families throughout the month long celebration!
Ball Ground, GA
Ball Ground gets its name from a popular stick game that was played by the Cherokee people in the 18th and 19th centuries, now called lacrosse! It was officially recognized as a city in 1883 and marble slowly became the dominate industry in the area. Many of the buildings currently housing modern businesses are from the early 1900s, while many other residential buildings can date back to the 1850s. Ball Ground is a prime example of mixing modern conveniences while appreciating, and showcasing, its rich history.
July 16th | Come every third Thursday of the month to Downtown Ball Ground for their Night Market where you can find fresh produce, handmade crafts, locally made goods, and more! This event will run in tandem to Exercise in the Park and any live music or nighttime event.
Canton
Originally part of Cherokee Nation, Canton, GA was officially established in 1832 and renamed to Canton in 1834. In 1879, Canton became a popular tourist destination for those in southern Georgia as it provided a cooler retreat during the summer months. The city eventually became a top cotton-producing area and had one of the largest cotton mills in the South. Today you can enjoy restaurants, shops, a brewery, and an event green space at the reimagined Mill on Etowah! While Canton may no longer be defined by its cotton industry, it has blossomed into a welcoming destination known for its small-town cool vibe, thriving downtown, outdoor adventures, and experiences for every age.
July 3rd | Bryce Leatherwood, the Season 22 winner of The Voice and Prime Time Country Music’s “Top 10 Artists to Watch in 2026”, is coming home and bringing his famous country music to First Friday. Enjoy great music, food, and family fun at First Friday in Downtown Canton!
July 4th | The Small Town Cool 4th of July celebration kicks off at 6pm with a parade around the Riverstone Plaza Block. Then, enjoy a concert at 7:30pm before Canton brings it home with a spectacular firework showcase at 9:30pm (Etowah River Park)!
July 11th | The Cherokee Recreation and Parks invites you to the America 250th Celebration in Cherokee County! Located at Cherokee Veterans Park, the event will feature live music, a bicycle parade, patriotic festivities, a community ribbon cutting ceremony, and spectacular drone show finale! The festivities will begin at 5pm and conclude with the drone show at 9:15pm.
July 18th | Get ready to boot, scoot, and boogie to Mark Wills during the July River Rock Concert! This free event happens every third Saturday during the summer, so bring your family, your lawn chairs, and your biggest cowboy hat and enjoy the show.
July 28th | Calling all aspiring poets, musicians and more! Canton City Limits: Open Mic Night is your time to shine. More of a shining supporter? No problem! The event is free to attend, so you can come enjoy all the live performances without stepping on the stage. Sign-ups go live on July 21st, and you won’t want to miss it.
Every Saturday | The Canton Farmers Market is hosted every Saturday from 9am-12pm at Brown Park in Downtown Canton. Enjoy a nice stroll, fresh, local food, and a variety of vendors every Saturday in Canton! Also, join them on July 2 to enjoy all the farmers market festivities at night during their Night Market.
Holly Springs, GA
Declared the ‘Town of Holly Springs’ in 1906, it’s name allegedly comes from a group of Holly trees located near a spring that served as a gathering place for indigenous individuals. Holly Springs currently is home to four unincorporated communities: Hickory Flat, Toonigh, Lebanon, and Sixes.
July 2nd | Head over to the Holly Springs Train Depot for Food Truck Alley, featuring local food trucks, live music, and outdoor games starting at 5pm.
July 10th | Get ready for Category 5 level fun! StormFest 2026 is a family-friendly festival designed to inspire the next generation to protect waterways. With the Touch-A-Truck experience, food trucks, games/activities, educational booths, and more this event is sure to be a good time mixed with an educational experience.
Waleska, GA
While Waleska, GA was incorporated in 1889, it had already had a bustling hub of businesses and people residing there by 1856. The town is named after Warluskee, the daughter of an Indian chief who lived in the area. Waleska is the college town for Reinhardt University, which has a variety of modern amenities for its students, but has been the town’s “chief industry” for as long as it’s been around.
Every Thursday | Enjoy fresh grown produce, local goods, and more at Waleska’s Farmers Market every Thursday through September at City Hall!
Woodstock, GA
Woodstock, GA was settled in the early 1830s by self-sufficient pioneers. Avoiding most of the destruction from the Civil War due to its lack of a railroad line, Woodstock eventually became a bustling railroad town in 1879 leading to the state officially establishing it as a city in 1897. Many of the city’s historical buildings house both businesses and residents today, as the city has developed greatly since the early 1900s.
July 3rd | Woodstock Arts, the City of Woodstock, and Visit Woodstock are welcoming the Georgia Symphony Orchestra as part of their Lantern Series in July and in celebration of America’s 250th Birthday! The event starts at 7:30pm with gates opening at 6pm. Tickets are free, but advanced registration is required.
July 4th | Enjoy Woodstock Celebrates America all day on July 4th, and participate in a variety of activities including the 29th Annual Freedom Run, annual July 4th Parade, Festival at The Park at City Center, and fireworks at dusk!
July 8th | Take a break, relax with friends, and head over to Downtown Woodstock (Adair Park) for Wine Down Wednesday with live music from Greg Drews.
July 31st | Unwind into the weekend during Woodstock Jazz Nights at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center. The outdoor bar features a rotating menu of craft cocktails, fine wines, and locally sourced beer. Inside the cafe, you can find charcuteries boards, coffee drinks, and sweet & savory bites.