The 72nd Annual Gold Rush Days festival is returning to Dahlonega this weekend.
Check out the print edition of The Dahlonega Nugget for our exclusive full-color insert that features useful information for festival attendees, including:
• Schedule of events for Saturday and Sunday
• MainStage musical performances
• Old-fashioned contests
• Info about the Parade Grand Marshal
• Info about the Gold Rush King & Queen
2026 Gold Rush Days Festival Schedule
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
8:00 a.m. — Gold Rush 5K sponsored by Dahlonega Noon Rotary
9:00 a.m. — Festival opens
9:15 a.m. — Holly Theater presents Dahlonega’s Got Talent
9:45 a.m. — Nealy Webster
10:15 a.m. — Pie Eating Contest
11:00 a.m. — Gainesville Ballet Company
11:30 a.m. — Holly Theater presents Dahlonega’s Got Talent
12:00 p.m. — The Raven Welch Band
12:50 p.m. — Beard Growing Contest
1:00 p.m. — Grand Marshal announcement
1:15 p.m. — Apple Bobbing
1:45 p.m. — Hog Calling
2:00 p.m. — King and Queen coronation
2:15 p.m. — The Oak Grove Boys
3:00 p.m. — Gold Rush Parade
4:30 p.m. — Radford Windham & Step Back Cadillac
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
9:00 a.m. — Festival opens
9:30 a.m. — UNG String Band
10:00 a.m. — Holly Theater Presents Dahlonega’s Got Talent
10:30 a.m. — Team Bell and Friends Gospel
11:15 a.m. — Cross-Cut Saw Competition
12:15 p.m. — Sam McDuffie
12:45 p.m. — Gold Country Squares
1:30 p.m. — Sniffy & The Lips
3:00 p.m. — Arm Wrestling Tournament
[Booths open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday]