Georgians love to get outside during the hot weather, cook some food, and just have fun! Every year, Georgia is home to dozens of festivals--many of them are free to go to. If you never been to a summer or spring festival here in Georgia, you just have to try one! Here are some festivals held every year in Georgia.

1. Atlanta BBQ Festival

If you're a BBQ lover, you might want to go to the Atlanta BBQ festival August 14-15. It is a crossroad of Memphis, Kentucky, Carolina, Texas, and Georgia BBQ.

2. Atlanta Dogwood Festival

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is Atlanta's oldest fine arts festival. This annual festival features artists from all over the country and has sculptures, paintings, jewelry, photography, and any other art imaginable. This festival takes place in April every year.

3. Atlanta Fest

Atlanta Fest is Atlanta's top Christian Music Festival. Each year over 20K people come to hear four days of music and ministry. This premier festival takes place in Stone Mountain, GA. Unfortunately this yearly festival will not happen this year, but will be back next year.

4. Atlanta Film Festival

Atlanta Film festival is a festival that started in the Spring of 1976 and has repeated every year since. This festival is a set of independent films showing a diverse range of genres from horror to indie and fantasy. This festival is definitely a must for the movie buffs.

5. Atlanta Jazz Festival

The country's largest free jazz festival takes place right here in Georgia every year. This festival is a culmination of jazz legends and up-and-coming artists for the entire month of May. It ends every Memorial day weekend with performances at Piedmont Park.

6. Beer, Bourbon & BBQ

Eat, drink, and relax at the Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ festival every February in Atlanta, GA. You can try hundreds of different beers, eat great food, and listen to live performances.

7. Cave Spring Pig Out

There is an awesome BBQ cook-out every year in Cave Spring, GA. This BBQ competition takes place this September 26th. They'll be free kid activities, and mule -driven wagon rides. Plus you can show off your BBQ skills!

8. Chastain Park Arts Festival

Another great arts and crafts festival, Chastain Park Arts Festival features nearly 200 artists each year. Listen to local acoustic artists and visit gourmet food trucks this summer and fall. This festival is held twice- May 9-10 and November 7-8.

9. Georgia Mountain Fall Festival

This fall festival takes place in the beautiful North Georgia mountains. This year it will be hosted October 9-17. There will be music presentations, craft vendors, educational demonstrations, and a flower show.

10. International Cherry Blossom Festival

Macon, GA hosts the International Cherry Blossom Festival each year in March. There are 300K- 350K Yoshino Cherry Trees that bloom in Macon every year making Macon the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World. Each year, this festival celebrates these blossoms for 10 days. The theme of the festival is 'Love, Beauty, and International Friendship'.

11. Oktoberfest

One of Helen, GA's biggest celebrations, Oktoberfest runs from mid-September til November 1st. Everyone at this festival celebrates with beer, brats, and German band music!

12. Piedmont Park Arts Festival

Get your kids out for some family fun at the Piedmont Park Arts Festival. This is a 2-day arts and crafts festival in Midtown Atlanta. Midtown has an enthusiastic art-buying community and this year the festival will feature 250 painters, photographers, sculptors, and leather and metal workers. This festival takes place August 14-15.

13. Savannah Music Festival

The Savannah Music Festival is a huge Georgia festival. In fact, it is Georgia's largest musical festival! It is also a festival that hosts many different genres of music, making it very unique compared to other music festivals.

14. Sweet Auburn Springfest

The Sweet Auburn Springfest is fun for the whole family. This large festival features food, entertainment, and a kid zone. This festival is taking place this weekend in the historic Sweet Auburn District in downtown Atlanta.

15. Sweetwater Festival

If you're into craft beer you should definitely visit the annual Sweetwater Festival in Atlanta. It is held over 3 days on a weekend closest to Earth Day. Sweetwater Brewing Company hosts this festival and you can not only find great craft beer, you can see musical acts, a stand-up comedy tent, a local artist market, and great food trucks.

16. Taste of Atlanta

Taste of Atlanta attracts the best food vendors in Georgia as well as food enthusiasts from all over! Attendees sample all the beer, wine, and food they can take!

There you have it! 16 of the best festivals in Georgia. Let us know about any other of your favorite festivals here in Georgia.