Art & Culture Festivals in Augusta
The arts are an important part of Augusta’s rich heritage. Art preserves and perseveres. In addition to capturing times long past and a present not yet defined, it fosters critical thinking for the future. Augusta’s creative legacy is well documented. We claim famous performers like opera singer Jessye Norman and soul stars like Sharon Jones and James Brown. We celebrate locally born painters like Jasper Johns and novelists like Erskine Caldwell. So explore our favorite arts and culture festivals, and discover the names that will define culture in years to come.
Arts in the Heart – One of the largest and best festivals in the South, AITH showcases juried art, a crafts market and Augusta’s global community in culinary style. Tour dozens of countries in one day through food, music, visual art, dance, and literature. Centered at the Augusta Commons at 836 Reynolds St., Augusta, Ga., 30901. Located between Broad Street and Riverwalk, downtown Augusta. Visit artsintheheartofaugusta.com, or call 706-826-4702.
Augusta Pride Festival – Locally just known as Pride Fest, this is less a festival and more a carnival celebrating diversity, inclusion, and family. Bring your tribe or find your tribe at the parade, party, and musical performances. Centered at the Augusta Commons at 836 Reynolds St., Augusta, Ga., 30901. Located between Broad Street and Riverwalk, downtown Augusta. Visit prideaugusta.org, or call 762-233-5313.
Westobou Festival – Modeled in part after Charleston, S.C.’s Spoleto Festival, Westobou brings regional and national artistic names to Cyber City, like Wycliffe Gordon, Kevin Hart, Esperanza Spalding, Ben Folds, and Janelle Monae. Centered at the Augusta Commons at 836 Reynolds St., Augusta, Ga., 30901. Located between Broad Street and Riverwalk, downtown Augusta. Visit westoboufestival.com, or call 706-755-2878.
Greek Festival – The small but vibrant Greek Orthodox community has grown this festival from a small festivity to the multi-day celebration of Greek culture and food that enraptures Augusta today. Yes, the food is delicious and the beer garden is a great place to chill, but don’t miss a tour of the church’s restored Byzantine artwork. Located at 953 Telfair St., Augusta, Ga., 30901. Visit facebook.com/AugustaGreekFestival or call 706-724-1087.
Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival – Recognized by the Wall Street Journal, this festival is coming up on its 30th birthday, but is still staged each May in the same grassy field as it was on its birthday. Blind Willie McTell was born in McDuffie County just outside of Augusta, and wrote blues standards like “Statesboro Blues,” most famously covered by the Allman Brothers. He is so influential that Bob Dylan wrote a song about him. Everybody can sing the blues, so celebrate a unique American talent. Located at 965 Stagecoach Rd NE, Thomson, Ga., 30824. Visit blindwillie.com or call 706-597-1000.
The Augusta Photography Festival – Photography is as ubiquitous as Instagram accounts, but done well a single photo can inspire more than the most famous influencer. This cultural event provides an opportunity for us to see ourselves, our city, and our world in a new way. Location subject to change from year to year. Visit augustaphotofestival.com.