There are fall festivals, and then there is the Mountain Moonshine Festival in Dawsonville, Georgia.
Each October, Dawsonville leans into its colorful history with a weekend of classic cars, live music, food, crafts and plenty of stories about the moonshine runners and racers who helped put the North Georgia city on the map. The 59th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival & Car Show returns Oct. 23-25, 2026, offering a fun way to experience one of the area’s most distinctive fall traditions.
The festival is hosted by KARE for Kids, with proceeds supporting children and families in Dawson County. Attendance is free, although festival parking has a donation charge. Free shuttles are available.
Moonshine Run on Friday
Friday is a good choice for anyone who wants to get a head start on the weekend.
The 18th Annual Moonshine Run car show runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving visitors plenty of time to check out classic and historic vehicles. At 10 a.m., participating vehicles departs from Bearden’s Funeral Home for a scenic drive through the North Georgia mountains.
The rolling car show follows roads connected to the region’s moonshine-running history, making the drive part history lesson and part scenic road trip. Organizers describe it as a chance to experience the mountain roads and imagine what those routes were like for moonshine haulers decades ago.
Saturday Brings the Main Festival Action
Saturday is when the festival really comes alive. The festival and car show run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the parade, opening ceremony, National Moonshiner’s Hall of Fame induction, live music and car show awards all on the schedule.
The parade is one of the weekend’s signature events. Visitors can watch moonshine and revenue cars make their way through Dawsonville, connecting the town’s Prohibition-era history with the racing culture that followed.
Live music begins at 10 a.m., and car show awards are scheduled for 3 p.m. The 2026 schedule also includes a performance by Tommy Townsend at Grandaddy Mimm’s from 2 to 4 p.m.
Sunday Keeps the Festival Rolling
Sunday brings another full day of the festival and car show from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., along with live music beginning at 10 a.m. Car show awards are scheduled for 3 p.m., followed by the 50/50 KARE raffle drawing and the close of the silent auction at 4 p.m.
That makes the festival an easy option for a relaxed fall day in Dawsonville, whether the goal is to admire vintage cars, listen to live music, browse vendors or simply enjoy the atmosphere.
Why Is Dawsonville Known for Moonshine and Racing?
The Mountain Moonshine Festival is more than a collection of classic cars. It celebrates a very specific part of Dawsonville’s history.
During Prohibition and the years surrounding it, moonshine runners used the winding mountain roads of North Georgia to transport goods. The fast cars and skilled drivers associated with those runs helped lay the groundwork for the stock-car racing culture that developed in the region.
Dawsonville is now known as the birthplace of stock-car racing, and the connection between moonshine runners and early racing is a major part of the story. The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame‘s exhibits explore that history, including the evolution from moonshine-running cars to organized stock-car racing.
The town also has deep ties to some of racing’s best-known names. Dawsonville native Bill Elliott, nicknamed “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville,” is a NASCAR Hall of Famer, while Raymond Parks, Roy Hall, Lloyd Seay and Gober Sosebee were among the early Georgia racing figures connected to the area.
Make a Fall Day of It in Dawsonville
For visitors coming from the Atlanta area or elsewhere in North Georgia, the festival can easily become part of a larger fall outing. Dawsonville is surrounded by mountain scenery and offers plenty to explore beyond the festival grounds. Visitors can browse local shops, enjoy the area’s restaurants and explore nearby outdoor attractions. The area’s tourism organization also offers a 2026 Visitor Guide with ideas for planning a Dawsonville getaway.
For the latest schedule, parking information and event updates, visit the KARE for Kids Mountain Moonshine Festival page before heading out, as event details are subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Mountain Moonshine Festival
When is the 2026 Mountain Moonshine Festival?
The 59th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival takes place Oct. 23-25, 2026, in Dawsonville, Georgia. The festival is scheduled to take place rain or shine.
Where is the Mountain Moonshine Festival held?
The festival takes place in Dawsonville, with activities centered around the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and Main Street Park. Visitors should check the official festival map and schedule for specific event locations.
How much does it cost to attend the Mountain Moonshine Festival?
Festival admission is free. Parking is available for a donation, and free shuttles are offered to help visitors get around the event.
What can visitors do at the Mountain Moonshine Festival?
The festival features a large car show, live entertainment, a parade, food and craft vendors, the Moonshine Run and other activities throughout the weekend. The schedule varies by day, so visitors should check the official festival schedule before heading to Dawsonville.
What is the Moonshine Run?
The Moonshine Run is a scenic drive featuring historic and specialty vehicles that follows roads through the North Georgia mountains. It pays tribute to the moonshine runners whose driving skills and fast cars became part of Dawsonville’s racing history.
Why is Dawsonville associated with moonshine and NASCAR?
Dawsonville has a long history of moonshining, particularly during the Prohibition era. The cars and drivers used to transport moonshine helped influence the development of stock-car racing in the region. Today, Dawsonville celebrates that connection as the Official Birthplace of Stock Car Racing.
Is the Mountain Moonshine Festival family-friendly?
The festival offers a mix of cars, entertainment, food, crafts and activities that can appeal to visitors of different ages. It is also organized by KARE for Kids, a Dawson County nonprofit that uses proceeds from the festival to help local children with needs including clothing, school supplies, medical expenses and Christmas gifts.
What is the connection between the Mountain Moonshine Festival and KARE for Kids?
The Mountain Moonshine Festival is KARE for Kids’ largest fundraiser. Proceeds help the organization provide assistance to children in Dawson County throughout the year.
How can visitors find the latest Mountain Moonshine Festival information?
Because schedules and event details can change, visitors should check the official Mountain Moonshine Festival page before attending. The site includes links to the 2026 schedule, festival details, maps, parking information, the car show, Moonshine Run and vendor information.
