The end of summer vacation doesn’t mean the end of summer fun! Enjoy a wide range of affordable adventures in Cherokee County for families, teens, college students, and young adults alike. Whether you want to beat the heat indoors, or continue spending time in the sun, Cherokee County is the place to be!
Ball Ground
Be the main character in your own story in Ball Ground, GA! You can be the star of your own small-town, Hallmark style experience thanks to their beautiful movie-esque style Downtown area that offers a variety of events throughout the year. More of a flower child? At Gibbs Gardens, you can wander through six different specialty gardens, including the largest Japanese garden in the nation. While filming movies can be an expensive endeavor, visiting Ball Ground doesn’t have to be with our list of affordable adventures below.
Local Growers at Rock Solid Brewing: Specializing in small, local growers and creators, the Farmer’s Market at Rock Solid Brewing has all of your fresh picked produce and local grown needs. You can head on over every Sunday from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm through the end of the growing season to participate in this summer favorite!
Third Thursday: If you are in town the third week of the month, visit their monthly Night Market on August 20 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Grab fresh produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and more to celebrate the start of school, to celebrate the end of the season, or just because you can! Can’t make it in August? Join them on September 17 to enjoy this experience during the early fall weather.
Art On Main: Ball Ground is bringing southern artistry and craftsmanship straight to Downtown Ball Ground. Enjoy musicians, artists, and singer-songwriters throughout the Downtown area Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Roots & Remembrance: Celebrate the beautiful city of Ball Ground during the annual heritage celebration: Roots & Remembrance. Participate in honoring the city with their free community events: Roundtable Discussions, Guided Historical Walking Tour, and more! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore Ball Ground’s rich history on September 26 from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Ball Ground Rocks: Downtown Ball Ground is bringing the Ball Ground Rocks Festival back for the 5th year in a row! Bask in the ambiance of live music from some of the best rock bands in Georgia, chow down on delicious food truck fare, let the little ones free in the Kids Zone, and quench your thirst at one of the beer trailers. The festivities will be held on October 3 from 12:00pm-8:00pm.
Canton
Add a little bit of history to your summer adventures in Canton, GA. Their historic downtown combines education and modern entertainment seamlessly. Enjoy theatrical performances at the Historic Canton Theatre, visit the Mill on Etowah for a shopping experience inside this historic cotton mill, or just take a stroll through downtown to find treasures as you enjoy live music and concerts. While you’re there, stop over at Lake Allatoona to relax at one of the beaches or take a watercraft out on the water. Combine those activities with one of the affordable events listed below, and you’ve got your weekend planned and ready to go in Canton!
Canton City Limits: Open Mic Night: Calling all those who love the spotlight or love to watch those in the spotlight! Open Mic Night is available to one and all – poetry writers, musicians, and those who support them. If you are wanting to perform, sign-ups go live August 11 and the event is August 18 so don’t miss it!
Canton Farmer’s Market: The Canton Farmer’s market is an open-air market featuring farm fresh produce, baked goods, fresh flowers, and more every Saturday from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm through August 29!
Cherokee Veterans Park Skate Park: Open daily 6:30am-11:00pm, the Cherokee Veterans Park Skate Park continues to be an exciting destination for skaters of all levels. With a wide range of terrain, it’s the place to be for families and extreme sport enthusiasts alike.
Friday Night Live: BlairOutLoud is coming to Canton! Grab your lawn chairs, bring your friends and family, and enjoy some classic, 80s, and 90s music at The Mill on Etowah. The performance is free to attend from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at July 31, and you can still do some shopping and dining at the Mill throughout the evening.
Lake Allatoona: Lake Allatoona covers over 12,000 acres and has 270 miles of shoreline, part of which is located in Canton and Woodstock, . Enjoy the beaches at Victoria Park and Sweetwater Park, as well as a variety of other activities with Little River Marina boat rentals and Murph’s Surf kayak rentals! No matter what your perfect lake activity is, it’s here at Lake Allatoona.
River Rock Concert & Festival: Get ready to rock out at Etowah River Park! Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder are the headliners for the August 15th concert, and you’re invited! The event is free to attend and will host local food trucks, beverage vendors, and more for you to enjoy.
Holly Springs
Get ready for Holly Springs, GA to be of America’s must do cities once their Town Center development is complete! This family-friendly city is an up and coming star, but you don’t have to wait to enjoy what they already have to offer. Stop by J.B. Owens Park to enjoy an open community space outdoors, take the family bike riding at Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails, or enjoy one of the events coming up below.
Cherokee Aquatic Center: The Oasis is showing up to the summer party with multiple events in August that won’t break the bank:
- Aloha Night at the Oasis: Experience a relaxing, island themed evening during Oasis After-Hours on August 2. The event runs from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm and your $12 ticket includes a voucher for pizza, chips, and bottled water at the concessions, plus three hours of fun to wrap up the summer vacation season.
- Tuesdays in the Park: Enjoy three hours of outdoor water park fun for only $5 on August 25 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Oasis! Wind through their two water slides, enjoy the water playground, or just relax at their beach entry pool.
Waleska
Founded in 1883, Reinhardt University is located in the center of Waleska, GA. Visit the Falany Performing Arts Centers for high-quality theatrical shows, walk through the Burgess Arboretum, play a round of disc golf, and so much more! Step off campus to enjoy the natural beauty of the city and take part in some upcoming events.
Funk Heritage Center: Edutainment is the mixing of history and entertainment, and that’s exactly what they do everyday at the Funk Heritage Center! Come visit the Gallery of Contemporary American Indian Art, Sellars Collection of Historic Hand Tools, and the Bennett History Museum. If you’re willing to spend some time outside, you can participate in one of their Walking Tours of the Appalachian Settlement. Tickets are $7 for individuals 18 and older, $5 for 18 and under, $6.50 for 65 and older, and free for active dulty military and members!
Waleska Farmer’s Market: The Waleska Farmer’s Market offers fresh produce, baked goods, and more every Thursday from 9:00am-1:00pm through September 26, 2026.
Woodstock
Hosting a world of Southern charm and vibrant areas, Woodstock, GA has become a premier destination for those visiting near Atlanta. Their vibrant, walkable downtown hosts a days worth of activities including shopping, a vintage style arcade, a local coffee and bookshop, restaurants, and dessert locations (Pie Bar, anyone?). After your day of downtown fun, enjoy some local spots and events happening throughout the beautiful city.
Family Fun Night: Join Downtown Woodstock for a night “Under the Sea” during their final Family Fun Night of the season on August 20. Enjoy tropical themed activities around the downtown area from 5:00pm-9:00pm finishing off with a showing of Disney’s animated movie “Moana” at the Woodstock Arts Event Green.
SchmoozaPalooza 2026: Wanting to experience a variety of Cherokee County’s offering all in one location? You’re in luck! SchmoozaPalooza is hosted by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce at Woodstock City Church on August 13 and is 100% free to the public. Meet 68 vendors from a variety of businesses, enjoy complimentary food and beverage samples to find your next go-to dining spot or bakery, and stop by the Chamber booth to enter to win door prizes and giveaways! You can also support six talented young entrepreneurs who will be showing off and selling their incredible products during the NextGen Entrepreneurial Experience.
Stars and Strikes Woodstock: Kids bowl FREE until October 31, 2026 when they register online. Adults, dust off your bowling skills with the Stars and Strikes Unlimited Summer Fun Daily Pass! Get 4 hours of bowling fun for only $13.99 when you book in-advance online. But wait, there’s more! The pass includes unlimited bowling, shoe rentals, and unlimited laser tag. Looking for an even lower cost to scratch your bowling itch? You can score $1.99 bowling and shoes rentals on Sundays 10:00am-12:00pm and Mondays 9:00pm-close!
Woodstock Farmer’s Market: Enjoy fresh, locally grown produce, baked bread and pastries, locally raised meats, seafood, and more at the Woodstock Farmer’s Market. Come and visit every Saturday from 8:30am-12:00pm through December 19, 2026.
Spend a summer weekend here in Cherokee County and experience a sample of the affordable adventures these beautiful cities have to offer! Looking for a place to stay? We have some wonderful places to see right her during your overnight stay in one of Cherokee County’s comfortable hotels or short-term accommodations.