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Canton, GA events: the fall 2026 to spring 2027 calendar

The short answer

Canton, GA events next: Joe Lemmo Comedy and Friends at the Canton Theatre on Sat., Nov. 7, 2026, the City's Holiday Tree Lighting and Drone Show in Cannon Park on Wed., Nov. 18 at 6:30 PM, Rink on the River opening at The Mill on Nov. 21, Christmas at The Mill on Nov. 27 and 28, and Christmas in Canton downtown on Fri., Dec. 11. First Fridays and the farmers market are over for 2026.

Last checked November 1, 2026

Spring view across a lawn and a brick path to the white octagonal gazebo with its green copper dome. A dark green Georgia historical marker titled 'CHEROKEE COUNTY' stands on a post at the right; its raised text mentions Cherokee lands, attempted silk production, the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad reaching Canton in 1879 and a textile mill. Behind the gazebo rises a white marble multi-storey building with a columned entrance and tall windows. A US flag flies from a pole at the left, purple verbena blooms in the right foreground, trees are just leafing out, and a modern glass-and-stone building edges in at the right under a cloudless blue sky.
Photo: Akhenaton06, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)

Events in Canton come from several organizers, and each sets its own rules. The City of Canton runs First Fridays, the farmers market, the downtown tree lighting, Christmas in Canton and the Fourth of July. The City also runs the Canton Theatre’s calendar. The Mill on Etowah is private and hosts festivals with partners such as Goin’ Social Events. The Service League of Cherokee County runs Riverfest, and the Canton Optimist Club presented the 2025 Christmas parade. We take each date from the organizer or the City’s calendar, and every card shows its source and the day we checked it.

Explore Canton, the visitor site the City links from its menu, has taken down its pages for some past events. This page keeps the record: what happened in 2026, what is next, and what has not been announced.

  • Explore Canton (explorecantonga.com) is the visitor website linked from the City's own menu. Its footer gives the City Hall address, 110 Academy Street, and phone, 770-704-1500. Explore Canton: Who We Are

Coming up

Nov14Sat

Makers Market

Organiser date for 2026
  • 11 AM to 4 PM
  • The Shoppes at The Mill on Etowah (near Sweety's and Suds & Bottles)

A monthly market of local crafters and makers inside the Shoppes at The Mill.

Sat., Nov. 14, 2026 is the only upcoming date on the Explore Canton listing, which says the market is held once a month.

Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)

Source: Explore Canton: Makers Market, checked 2026-10-18

Nov18Wed

Holiday Tree Lighting and Drone Show

Organiser date for 2026
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM
  • Cannon Park

The City of Canton's tree lighting in Cannon Park, followed by a holiday drone show over Main Street, with the Knox STEM Academy and Avery Elementary choruses.

Wed., Nov. 18, 2026, 6:30 to 8:30 PM on the City calendar. Not the same event as The Mill's tree lighting on Nov. 28.

Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)

Source: City of Canton calendar: Holiday Tree Lighting and Drone Show, checked 2026-11-01

Nov21Sat

Rink on the River ice skating

Organiser date for 2026
  • Opening day 11 AM to 9 PM. Regular hours: Tue.-Thu. 4 to 8 PM, Fri. 4 to 9 PM, Sat. 11 AM to 9 PM, Sun. noon to 8 PM; closed Mondays and Thanksgiving Day.
  • The Mill on Etowah

The outdoor ice rink at The Mill opens for the season. Admission includes skate rentals and same-day re-entry. Skaters must sign a waiver, and a parent or guardian must sign for skaters under 16.

Opening week starts Sat., Nov. 21, 2026. The Mill's rink page does not give a closing date for the 2026-27 season (its Christmas page mentions Nov. 23 to Jan. 24, which appears to be last season's run), so 'end' is set to opening day.

Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)

$15 per person Source: The Mill on Etowah: Rink on the River, checked 2026-10-29

The next few weeks

  • Sat., Nov. 7: Fall Plant Festival at The Mill, 11 AM to 5 PM, and Joe Lemmo Comedy and Friends at the theatre, 8 to 10 PM.
  • Sat., Nov. 14: Makers Market at The Mill, 11 AM to 4 PM, and Trial by Fire, a Journey tribute, at the theatre, 7 to 9 PM.
  • Wed., Nov. 18: Holiday Tree Lighting and Drone Show in Cannon Park, 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The City’s own tree lighting, with a drone show over Main Street and two school choruses (City calendar, checked Oct. 29, 2026). Not the same event as The Mill’s tree lighting on Nov. 28.
  • Sat., Nov. 21: Rink on the River opens at The Mill, and Grunge Unplugged with Strings plays the theatre, 8 to 10 PM. Skating is $15 a person with skates included, per The Mill’s rink page.
  • Fri., Nov. 27 and Sat., Nov. 28: Christmas at The Mill, 10 AM to 7 PM, with The Mill’s tree lighting on Saturday at 6 PM.

December brings A Dickens’ Christmas Carol at the theatre (Dec. 4 to 13), Christmas in Canton in Cannon Park (Fri., Dec. 11, 6 to 10 PM, on the City calendar), the Merry Market and Christmas Parade downtown (Sat., Dec. 12, market noon to 6 PM, parade at 6 PM), Grinchmas at The Mill (Dec. 18) and two holiday movies at the theatre (Dec. 19). All of it is on the holiday season page, and The Mill’s full program is on the Mill on Etowah page.

Already over for 2026

  • First Fridays: six free evenings downtown, May 1 to Oct. 2. The season is over; see the First Fridays page for the record and what is next.
  • Canton Farmers Market: Saturdays in Brown Park, May 30 to Aug. 29, with a Thursday night market on July 2 in place of July 4. See the farmers market page.
  • River Rock Concert and Festival: four free concerts by Canton Parks & Recreation at Etowah River Park on May 16, June 20, July 18 and Aug. 15.
  • Small Town Cool 4th of July: on July 4 the City moved the parade to the Riverstone Plaza block (6 PM), held the concert in the Riverstone Plaza Shopping Center (7:30 PM) and launched fireworks from Etowah River Park (9:30 PM). The City called these new locations.
  • Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival: the 42nd festival, Sept. 26 and 27 at Etowah River Park, run by the Service League of Cherokee County.
  • Canton Multicultural Festival: planned for Sat., Oct. 10, 4 to 7:30 PM, at Harmon Park, 226 Harmon Circle. The City calendar lists it as cancelled. Older pages about the festival may still show its schedule; the calendar entry is the one to trust.
  • Denim Fest: Sat., Oct. 17 at The Mill. Explore Canton’s blog called it the fifth annual and its annual-events page the fourth.
  • Halloween week: The Shining at the theatre (Oct. 23), the 3rd Jack O’ Lantern Jamboree at The Mill (Oct. 24 and 25), the farmers market’s HOWL-O-WEEN night market and chili cook-off in Brown Park (Oct. 27) and Storyteller Night at the theatre (Oct. 28).

Not announced yet

These are annual events whose next dates had not been posted as of Oct. 29, 2026. We show last year’s date as last year’s and add the new one when the organizer posts it.

  • Veterans Day Parade (Canton American Legion Post 45). In 2025: Sat., Nov. 8, at 2 PM, from Panera Bread into downtown, according to a Patch listing.
  • First Fridays 2027 and the 2027 farmers market.
  • Riverfest 2027. The organizer says it is always on the last full weekend in September, which would be Sept. 25 and 26, 2027. That is our reading of the rule, not a posted date.

The year at a glance

  • Spring: Cherokee Theatre Company plays at the theatre (2027: Black Comedy, March 5 to 14; Cat On a Hot Tin Roof from May 7).
  • May to October: First Fridays downtown, 6 to 9 PM on the first Friday of each month.
  • Late May to August: the Saturday farmers market in Brown Park (2026: May 30 to Aug. 29).
  • May to August: River Rock concerts at Etowah River Park (2026: four dates).
  • July: the City’s Fourth of July (2026 at Riverstone Plaza and Etowah River Park).
  • September: Riverfest at Etowah River Park, on the last full weekend.
  • October: Denim Fest and the Jack O’ Lantern Jamboree at The Mill.
  • November to December: the rink, two tree lightings, Christmas at The Mill, Christmas in Canton, the parade and holiday shows at the theatre.

Parking on event days

Explore Canton warns that street parking and lots on and around Main Street may be limited or closed on event days such as First Fridays. The two-level deck at 345-303 W. Marietta St. has 102 spaces. We have not found street-closure plans published for the coming events. What we have verified is on the parking page.

Every event we track

The full list below includes past events, marked as over, so you can see when things happened this year.

May1Fri

First Fridays (2026 season)

Organiser date for 2026
  • May 1 – Oct 2
  • 6 to 9 PM on May 1, June 5, July 3, Aug. 7, Sept. 4 and Oct. 2
  • Downtown Canton (Cannon Park and Main Street)

The 2026 season of free First Friday evenings downtown, with live music, food and late shopping. The May listing also had a Kids Zone and a cruise-in. The Oct. 2 evening was the last one of 2026.

Source: City of Canton: City Calendar (month views read 2026-10-18), checked 2026-10-18

Jul4Sat

Small Town Cool 4th of July

Organiser date for 2026
  • Parade 6 PM; concert 7:30 PM; fireworks 9:30 PM
  • Riverstone Plaza (parade and concert); fireworks from Etowah River Park

The City's 2026 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, with a parade around the Riverstone Plaza block, a concert in the Riverstone Plaza Shopping Center and fireworks launched from Etowah River Park.

Source: City of Canton: 4th of July in Canton, checked 2026-10-18

Nov14Sat

Makers Market

Organiser date for 2026
  • 11 AM to 4 PM
  • The Shoppes at The Mill on Etowah (near Sweety's and Suds & Bottles)

A monthly market of local crafters and makers inside the Shoppes at The Mill.

Sat., Nov. 14, 2026 is the only upcoming date on the Explore Canton listing, which says the market is held once a month.

Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)

Source: Explore Canton: Makers Market, checked 2026-10-18

Nov18Wed

Holiday Tree Lighting and Drone Show

Organiser date for 2026
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM
  • Cannon Park

The City of Canton's tree lighting in Cannon Park, followed by a holiday drone show over Main Street, with the Knox STEM Academy and Avery Elementary choruses.

Wed., Nov. 18, 2026, 6:30 to 8:30 PM on the City calendar. Not the same event as The Mill's tree lighting on Nov. 28.

Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)

Source: City of Canton calendar: Holiday Tree Lighting and Drone Show, checked 2026-11-01

Nov21Sat

Rink on the River ice skating

Organiser date for 2026
  • Opening day 11 AM to 9 PM. Regular hours: Tue.-Thu. 4 to 8 PM, Fri. 4 to 9 PM, Sat. 11 AM to 9 PM, Sun. noon to 8 PM; closed Mondays and Thanksgiving Day.
  • The Mill on Etowah

The outdoor ice rink at The Mill opens for the season. Admission includes skate rentals and same-day re-entry. Skaters must sign a waiver, and a parent or guardian must sign for skaters under 16.

Opening week starts Sat., Nov. 21, 2026. The Mill's rink page does not give a closing date for the 2026-27 season (its Christmas page mentions Nov. 23 to Jan. 24, which appears to be last season's run), so 'end' is set to opening day.

Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)

$15 per person Source: The Mill on Etowah: Rink on the River, checked 2026-10-29

Nov27Fri

Christmas at The Mill and Tree Lighting

Organiser date for 2026
  • Nov 27 – Nov 28
  • Fri., Nov. 27 and Sat., Nov. 28, 10 AM to 7 PM. Tree Lighting Program Sat., Nov. 28 at 6 PM.
  • The Mill on Etowah

The Mill's sixth annual Christmas festival, with more than 85 vendor booths, ice skating, Santa, football on the big screen and the annual Christmas tree lighting on Saturday evening.

Nov. 27-28, 2026 on The Mill's Christmas page and the Explore Canton listing.

Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)

Source: The Mill on Etowah: Christmas at The Mill 2026, checked 2026-10-29

Dec18Fri

Grinchmas at The Mill

Organiser date for 2026
  • 5 to 9 PM; The Grinch on the Green at 7 PM
  • The Mill on Etowah

A free holiday evening with the Grinch, Christmas train rides, a Stuff the Limo toy drive for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and an outdoor screening of The Grinch.

Fri., Dec. 18, 2026, 5 to 9 PM on the Explore Canton listing.

Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)

Free Source: Explore Canton: Grinchmas at The Mill, checked 2026-10-18

May—TBA

First Fridays (2027 season)

The City states the May-October pattern. No 2027 dates or lineup posted as of Oct. 18, 2026.
  • 6 to 9 PM, first Friday of each month, May through October (City pattern; 2027 dates and acts not posted)
  • Downtown Canton (Cannon Park and Main Street)

Free evenings downtown with live music, food and late shopping.

Source: City of Canton: First Fridays, checked 2026-10-18

May—TBA

Canton Farmers Market (2027 season)

The 2026 season ran May 30 to Aug. 29. Next season dates not posted as of Oct. 18, 2026; the month window is an estimate.
  • Saturdays, 9 AM to 12:30 PM (2026 pattern; 2027 dates not posted)
  • Brown Park

The Saturday market of local growers and food vendors in Brown Park. The 2027 season dates have not been announced.

Source: City of Canton: Canton Farmers Market, checked 2026-10-18

May7Fri

Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (Cherokee Theatre Company)

Organiser date for 2027
  • May 7 – May 15
  • Fri. and Sat., May 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 8 PM; Sun., May 9 at 2:30 PM (the schedule's second page was not read)
  • Historic Canton Theatre

Cherokee Theatre Company stages Cat On a Hot Tin Roof at the Historic Canton Theatre.

May 7 to 15, 2027 on the first page of the City's theatre schedule; a final performance may be listed on page two.

Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)

Source: City of Canton: Historic Canton Theatre, checked 2026-10-29

Questions

Is the Canton Theatre open?

Yes. The Historic Canton Theatre at 171 E. Main St. has shows listed through May 2027 on the City's schedule, including holiday films and A Dickens' Christmas Carol in December. Check the City's theatre schedule for show dates and times.

Source: City of Canton: Historic Canton Theatre

When are First Fridays in Canton?

First Fridays run on the first Friday of each month from May through October, 6 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Canton. They are free and include live music, food and late shopping. The 2026 season ended on Oct. 2, and 2027 dates have not been posted.

Source: City of Canton: First Fridays

When is the Canton Christmas Parade in 2026?

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Downtown Canton, when the Merry Market in Cannon Park closes (the market runs noon to 6 p.m.), per the City calendar. The 2025 parade, the 34th annual, was presented by the Canton Optimist Club on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.

Source: City of Canton calendar: Merry Market (Dec. 12, 2026; parade at 6 p.m.)

What holiday events are confirmed for 2026?

Confirmed so far: the City's tree lighting and drone show is Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in Cannon Park, Rink on the River opens Nov. 21, Christmas at The Mill runs Nov. 27-28 with a tree lighting on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m., Mistletoe on Main wagon rides run Thursdays Dec. 3, 10 and 17 (5:30 to 8 p.m.), A Dickens' Christmas Carol plays the Canton Theatre Dec. 4-13, Christmas in Canton is Dec. 11 from 6 to 10 p.m., the Merry Market and Christmas Parade are Dec. 12 (parade at 6 p.m.), Grinchmas at The Mill is Dec. 18, and the theatre shows Elf and White Christmas on Dec. 19.

Source: The Mill on Etowah: Christmas at The Mill 2026

What is happening in Canton for Halloween?

The Historic Canton Theatre shows The Shining on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at 7 p.m. The free Jack O' Lantern Jamboree at The Mill on Etowah runs Oct. 24 (noon to 8 p.m.) and Oct. 25 (noon to 7 p.m.), with trick-or-treating, movies and live music.

Source: Explore Canton: 3rd Annual Jack O' Lantern Jamboree

When is Riverfest?

Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival is held at Etowah River Park by the Service League of Cherokee County, which says it is always on the last full weekend in September. The 42nd festival was Sept. 26-27, 2026. The 2027 dates have not been posted.

Source: Eventeny: 2026 Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival (hosted by Service League of Cherokee County)

What did Canton do for the Fourth of July in 2026?

The City's Small Town Cool 4th of July marked the nation's 250th anniversary with a parade at 6 p.m. around the Riverstone Plaza block, a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Riverstone Plaza Shopping Center and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. launched from Etowah River Park.

Source: City of Canton: 4th of July in Canton

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Canton

Living here

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