After the summer, Georgia is in for an intense festival season. During late summer and autumn, a series of cultural and food festivals, harvest celebrations and local festivities are held around the country – from mountain villages to the Black Sea coast.
The festival season begins at the end of July with Shatiloba in the medieval mountain village of Shatili, where traditional Georgian music, dance and local cultural elements take center stage.
The first weekend in September is the time for Batumoba in Batumi. The city festival features parades, concerts, street performances, art exhibitions and markets. Visitors also have the opportunity to try the region's most famous specialty – Adjarian khachapuri.
Music and wine in focus
During the first two weeks of September, Tsinandali International Classical Music Festival in the Kakheti wine region. The festival brings together international musicians and opera singers for concerts in the historic setting around the Tsinandali Palace.
At the same time, there is Rtveli, Georgia's annual grape harvest. During September and October, the country's wine regions are filled with harvest activities, wine tastings and traditional Georgian feasts.
In connection with the harvest, regional festivals are also arranged such as Alaverdoba at the Alaverdi Cathedral and Bidzinaoba, where agriculture, equestrian sports and traditional competitions are on the program.
Tbilisoba ends the festival season
The last weekend in October is organized Tbilisi, Tbilisi's major city festival and one of the country's largest recurring folk festivals.
During the festival, the city's historic quarter is filled with concerts, dance performances, crafts, food and wine. Producers from all over Georgia present regional specialties, and traditional grape pressing is one of the most appreciated features.
The festival ends with a large outdoor concert in Rikeparken.
As autumn turns to winter, the event calendar continues with the national holiday Giorgoba on November 23rd and Tbilisi International Film Festival, which brings together Georgian and international filmmakers in the capital.
