2026 festival dates at a glance
| Event | 2026 dates | Where | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasching (Bavarian Mardi Gras) | Sat., Feb. 14, 6–11 p.m. | Helen Festhalle | Ticketed |
| Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race | June 4–6 (launch 7 a.m. June 4) | Downtown Helen fields | Free to watch |
| Helen Oktoberfest | Sept. 10 – Nov. 1 | Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse | $10–$15 adults; Sundays free |
| Oktoberfest Parade | Sat., Sept. 12, noon | Downtown Helen | Free |
| Helen Christmas Market (19th annual) | Nov. 28–29 & Dec. 5–6 | Downtown Helen | Free |
Dates from the Helen Chamber of Commerce (opens in a new tab), helenga.org (opens in a new tab) and Explore Georgia (opens in a new tab). Always confirm before you travel.
Distance from Valhalla
| Venue | From Valhalla |
|---|---|
| Helen Festhalle | 1.2 mi · ~4 min |
| Downtown Helen / Main Street | 1.4 mi · ~4 min |
Drive estimates are measured from Valhalla’s front door (688 Bahn Innsbruck) using OpenStreetMap routing data. Expect longer drives on Oktoberfest and peak-foliage weekends.
Events at Valhalla
The resort also hosts its own seasonal dinners, holiday buffets, live music and celebrations. See the Valhalla events calendar for this season’s schedule.
Sources & official links
- Helen Chamber of Commerce: Oktoberfest (opens in a new tab)
- Helen Chamber: Oktoberfest FAQ & admission (opens in a new tab)
- Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race (helenga.org) (opens in a new tab)
- Explore Georgia: Fasching at the Helen Festhalle (opens in a new tab)
- Helen Chamber: Christmas Market (opens in a new tab)
