Your Ultimate 2024 Canton Bucket List

Foodies. Nature enthusiasts. Explorers. Music lovers. Creators. Artists. History junkies. Canton, GA welcomes everyone with open arms to a year of incredible experiences that will surely leave an impact in 2024. Whether you love the lively atmosphere of musical festivals or the calm serenity of strolling through a beautiful park, there's plenty of new and traditional experiences that will make you fall in love with Canton by the time you check off all the boxes on this bucket list. We're here to drop you the secret sauce to a perfect recipe for 2024 in Canton.

First Fridays - Six months. Thousands of people. The event where your heartbeat matches the beat of the music. Downtown's liveliest event never fails to attract people from all over to enjoy the mouth-watering bites from the local food trucks and vendors, the electrifying performances from artists and musicians, and the perfect weather to enjoy the First Friday of the month. Canton's First Friday lasts from May to October.

West Main Arts Festival - Love art? Me too. Catch all the local artists' creative masterpieces at this lively arts festival along West Main Street in Downtown Canton. There will be so much art (and I mean so much), food, music, and simply the greatest of vibes at the festival. Guests can enjoy strolling through a fine arts market, live music on two stages, and performances from buskers too! Show your support to many of North Georgia's greatest creatives on March 2, 2024.

Wing & Rock Fest - The largest wing festival in the Southeast is located right here in Canton. Named one of the Southeast's Top 10 Food Festivals by Festival Rooster & Parade Magazine, this festival has the most diverse selection of flavors and the juiciest of chicken wings you'll ever have. I bet you're hungry just reading this. Bring your appetite to this chicken packed weekend from March 23 to March 24.

Riverfest - Arguably one of Canton's largest festivals, over 25,000 people attended last year's one-of-a-kind arts & crafts festivals. With over a hundred vendors showcasing their creative works, you'll have to do your best at restraining yourself from buying everything! From paintings to magnificent little trinkets, you're sure to find something unique that you can take home.

River Rock Concert & Festival - Country music legends. Free admission. A million dollar vibes. Last year, we had country legends Collin Raye, Sammy Kershaw, and Aaron Tippin perform at Etowah River Park in front of thousands of people to make for a jam packed weekend. If you love country and rock, there's no reason you shouldn't attend this!

Multicultural Festival - Travel the world in one day. It sounds impossible, but the Multicultural Festival will take you around the world in less than 24 hours. From Guatemala to Nigeria to China, take you and your taste buds on a world tour that will change your life. This event highlights the diversity that Canton has to offer and provides a platform to showcase all the different cultures here.

Denim Fest - Denim and BBQ. What more could you want? Turn back the time and celebrate Canton's historic upbringing with denim. Where else are you going to have a Denim Overalls contest combined with a next-level Whole Hog BBQ Cook-off?

Bizarre Bash - With the epic collab of Bizarre Coffee and The Holler, the event starts with a 5K run hosted by The Holler, with the route running through trails of Canton, and ends in the heart of Downtown with a festival held by Bizarre Coffee.

Christmas in Canton - The most jam packed holiday season happens right here in Canton. Get your pictures with Santa himself, ride reindeers through downtown, and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate as you witness Canton turn into a winter wonderland during the Tree Lighting. There's countless events happening during the month of December so be on the look out for things to do!

The presence of art in Canton is growing faster than ever in the past few years. From the abundance of murals spread across the City to the local art businesses that bring out the artistic drive from people all over, Canton is becoming the place to be when it comes to the arts.

If you often feel inspired by admiring the creative work of others, take a trip to Menagerie on Main — a creative space for artists to express themselves and showcase their work. This isn't your typical art gallery though. The owner of this cozy establishment, Jamie Foreman, teaches weekly classes, guides visitors through their artistic curiosities, and also hosts live music outside the historic, repurposed home over the summer. Whether you're looking for art to buy, or just want to enjoy the peaceful linger through a world of art, grab your friends and family and let your artistic energy flow.

One of the newest additions to Canton's artistic world is the Local Color Studio. This fine establishment is every creative's dream. Artists and makers of all levels are encouraged to step foot into the community art studio and create whatever their heart desires. Sound like something up your alley? The studio offers day passes that grant access to materials, equipment, and open studio space to create art the way you want to create it. The addition of the Local Color Studio has really sparked the creative atmosphere in Canton and invites YOU to create something here too!

If you can't make it to one of these, that doesn't mean you can't embrace the art in Canton! Over the past few years, the City of Canton has installed many beautiful murals and have highlighted the importance of preserving the historic feeling of the City. These murals play an integral part in making Canton lively and inspiring creativity. You simply can't miss the murals when you pass by one. The beautiful colors are reflective of the vibrant energy that Canton has to offer. So grab your friends and family and challenge yourselves to taking a selfie in front of all the murals around Canton!

You hungry? You know you are. Even if you aren't, Canton's food scene is so incredibly irresistible, you're gonna find yourself making an excuse to leave the house just because you want that bite. Canton's dining scene is something straight out of a movie, with some fresh and familiar tastes that can cover the whole spectrum of what it takes for you to be a fine diner.

First off, lets start with the newcomers of Canton's culinary scene. Most known for their iconic food truck at most events in Canton, Choate BBQ is one of downtown's newest additions — bringing a staple of southern cuisine to the heart of Canton. Just a few steps over, downtown has welcomed a new family favorite, P.O.P.S. (Palermo's Original Pasta & Sandwiches), serving up fresh, handmade pasta so hearty that you'd think your own mother made it. Coming soon is one that EVERYONE (and I mean, literally everyone) is excited to open — La Cantina. Bringing authentic Mexican flavors to Canton, this fine establishment aims to spread the beautiful culture of Mexico through it's love for food and tequila. Spicing up the nightlife, La Cantina will offer an authentic dinner experience with live music in front of your very eyes. They will also have an affordable lunch menu that will provide a diverse taste of Mexican cuisine.

Now onto the classics. Where do I even begin? Canton has so many culinary staples that I'd have to write a whole other blog just to scratch the surface. If you want a taste of France, look no further than C'est La Vie. If you're craving the juiciness of good 'ole fashioned burger, I suggest you slide on over to Community Burger. Got the cravings for Italian food? Go ahead and take trip to Mamma Onesta's. For that good ole' Southern flavor, you have to check Queenie's off of your bucket list. The fried chicken here is to die for. If you're craving seafood, grab a fresh bite at Goin' Coastal! For more recommendations, I suggest you check out some of our blogs, where you can find out more about Canton's culinary gems.

Dinner and a show? Family movie night? Feelin' some improv? How about a jazz concert from an orchestra? The Canton Theatre offers a beautiful and historic venue that captures the essence of talent from local to traveling productions. The history of the theatre dates way back to 1911 when they used to screen silent movies. With the beautiful interior and rich history that it holds, the theatre attracts people from all over. Continuing the tradition of movies, you can find tickets for some classics, blockbuster names, seasonal showings, and film festivals held at the theatre.

Be sure to enjoy some family fun during the Summer Family Film Series, where tickets are only $1! Yes, ONE dollar! Think that's crazy? Wait 'til you hear that the concessions are only a dollar too. Popcorn and drink for two bucks? You seriously can't beat that. There's almost always something happening at the theatre throughout the year, so if you love movies, shows, plays, and everything theatrical, grab your friends and family and head on over to the theatre!

The theatre is located right in the heart of Downtown, which makes it conveniently located for a walk after dinner from one of our amazing restaurants. Dinner and a show will make for what just might be the perfect night for you!

Grab your shoes, lace up, and go enjoy the beautiful outdoors that Canton has to offer. Enjoy a trip on the Etowah River and rent a kayak or tube from Murph's Surf. Want a chill run? Hop on one of the trails through Heritage Park and Etowah River Park. If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to get into running, look no further than The Holler, a brand new running store right in downtown that also serves a bar and restaurant! If biking is more your speed, head over to Blanket's Creek trails for trails of all skill levels! Take advantage of the 8 parks that Canton has to offer and the plentitude of water activities that our beautiful waterways can provide. If you love fishing, check out Lake Canton! Love the thrill of tubing behind a boat? Load up and spend a day on Lake Allatoona!

This is your year to finally get to know about Canton's history as a City in Cherokee County. Be the history buff you've always wanted to be. With the newly built Cherokee County History Center, it's never been more possible. Take a trip down memory lane with the finest exhibits for you and your family to explore at the history center. They are the number one destination for learning about all things Canton and Cherokee County. On top of that, our historic downtown area has so many statues and historic buildings that you're sure to feel the nostalgia of Canton. How can we talk about Canton history without talking about The Mill? Just around the corner of downtown lies the repurposed denim factory that features a brewery, restaurants, shops, and more, but most importantly, it holds SO MUCH history! This just scratches the surface on the history of Canton.

2024 is the year you become a beer person (only if you're 21+). Or maybe you already are one and just want to recreate the feeling of that first sip!

If you're new here, it's time to get a feeling of the local beer scene in Canton. A quick trip to downtown and you're knocking on the doorstep of three of the best breweries in the South. In addition to these, a new running shop combined with an outdoor bar has recently joined the beer family in Canton! Just a short trip out of downtown and you'll find yourself at one of Canton's newest breweries!

• The Holler - One of the coolest collabs you can think of: Running + Beer. The outdoor atmosphere has slowly cemented The Holler as one of Canton's go-to hang outs. If you're a runner, a walker, or just someone who likes to chill, The Holler is for you!

• Reformation Brewery - Residing at The Mill on Etowah, the 20,000 sq. ft. building serves as a home to some of the best beer you'll ever have. It also serves as a giant event space, and is especially a great time sitting outside when the weather is nice.
• Green Line Brewery - Right across the Canton Theatre, Green Line has been such a spark when it comes to connecting local talent with local business. Week in and week out, they showcase local artists who perform live music for all beer lovers.
• Stout's Growlers - In the heart of Downtown, Stout's is proud to be the only growler shop in Canton. Their extremely impressive selection of craft beer and wine makes it irresistible to walk into the doors and try them all.
• Laurel Canyon Brewing - Located in Laurel Canyon Village, this is one of the newest additions to Canton's beer scene. Not only do people go for the beer, but the live music keeps people coming back every time!

How many of these experiences will you check off your bucket list this year?

If you capture some amazing memories at any of these, be sure to tag @explorecantonga on social media and we'll share your pictures! Happy New Year and we hope your 2024 is filled with amazing experiences!