Georgia is a country where centuries-old traditions are deeply rooted in the local culture.

Here, you will discover various festivals that are typical of the nation.

Georgians, deeply steeped in their traditions, celebrate throughout the year with fervor their vibrant festivals.

Must-See Festivals in Georgia

Although the official date of the founding of Tbilissi remains unknown, Georgians commemorate it in grand style with Tbilisoba each October since 1979.

This date marks the day of the Georgian capital's foundation, but also signals the end of the autumn harvest.

During the Tbilisoba celebration, the old town and several city parks, including Rike Park, fill with vendors offering locally-made products.

You will find wine, cheese, various spirits, fruits and vegetables, handcrafted accessories, dried fruits, honey, crushed grapes, and Churchkhela…

But the Tbilisoba celebration goes far beyond food.

Theatrical performances depicting Georgia's historical past are also scheduled.

Traditional dance and music performances, a gala concert, and fireworks round out the festivities.

The beginning of May, marking the end of spring, is also an excellent time to visit Georgia, and Tbilissi in particular, thanks to the New Wine Festival held in the city.

Generally, this festival spans an entire weekend in an open-air space. During the festival, bloggers, travelers, winemakers, journalists, and sommeliers from around the world have the opportunity to taste approximately 60 varieties of premium Georgian wines from the latest harvest.

Typical Georgian barbecues, with fresh bread, as well as traditional dances and songs are also part of the festivities.

Batumi is equally active in festival season, with Batumoba taking place generally in early September.

This dynamic coastal resort comes alive each year with spectacular events.

The Gandagana is one of the major events of Batumoba, featuring dance performances.

The festival is also enriched by musicians and folk groups performing on Europe Square. The city is beautifully decorated for the occasion.

On October 14th each year, the city of Mtskheta celebrates Mtskhetoba-Svetitskhovloba, a religious festival held at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

It was King Mirian III who decided to build the first Georgian church in the 4th century on the site of a cedar, known as "Svetitskhoveli".

Every year, a solemn celebration takes place in this cathedral in the company of the Patriarch of Georgia.

Following the celebration, a mass baptism rite is organized at the confluence of the Koura (Mtkvari) and Aragvi rivers.

Beyond religious services, Georgians mark this day with various festive events.

Concerts, Georgian cuisine tastings, traditional dances, and exhibitions of handcrafted products make this festival renowned.

The Tusheti region, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is particularly highlighted during the very popular Tushetoba festival.

Organized in the Tusheti National Park during summer, this festival aims to promote tourism, the region's unique architecture, magnificent landscapes, and picturesque villages.

According to tradition, the festival begins with a horse race where the winner receives a flag.

It continues with the discovery of traditional cheese-making techniques, the famous meat dumplings called Khinkali or Tushetian crafts. For entertainment, folk music groups are invited.

Wine and Cheese, True Institutions in Georgia

Georgians are known for their many traditions and their passion for celebration.

This is reflected through the numerous festivals dedicated to wine and cheese.

Thus, the Cheese Festival is a cultural tradition that has stood the test of time. It is in July that cheese producers from across the country gather to present their ancestral production techniques and tools used.

Gourmands from around the world are then invited to taste dambal-khacho, braided tenili kveli, or spiced Guda from southern Georgia.

Originally organized in Tbilissi, the festival is now held in the region that won the best cheese competition.

The Tusheti region, beyond its medieval towers and stunning landscapes, is renowned for the traditional Tushet Cheese Festival.

Goat cheese is particularly highlighted.

The festival takes place in Akhemta the last week of May. It attracts cheese producers from neighboring municipalities.

You will witness horse races, see handmade crafts or listen to folk music.

From late September to mid-October takes place one of Georgia's largest autumn festivals, Rtveli.

This festival celebrates the grape harvest, music, food, and fine wine throughout the Kakheti region.

You will have the opportunity to see residents cutting grape clusters and transferring them into clay wine vessels.

At the end of the harvest, Georgians organize a grand banquet to celebrate the mid-autumn abundance.

Music Festivals in Georgia

Art-Gene is an important music festival in Georgia.

Organized since 2003, this traditional music festival takes place at Tbilissi's Ethnography Museum in July.

Folk music groups, traditional dance troupes, and contemporary Georgian artists participate in this week-long open-air festival.

The program also includes craft exhibitions and food stalls.

The Black Sea Jazz Festival is also worth discovering. It takes place in Batumi in July.

It is the country's premier music festival, having started in 2007.

Counted among the country's best jazz festivals, celebrated musicians such as Wyclef Jean, Diana Krall, and Robert Plant have already participated.

Gem Fest is another flagship music festival in Georgia, running from July 14th to August 14th on the Anaklia shoreline.

During this electronic music festival, 500 DJs will set the atmosphere on the shores of the Black Sea.

Religious Festivals

Giorgoba is a festival dedicated to Saint George, the patron saint and protector of Georgia.

This celebration, observed on November 23rd, is considered a public holiday in Georgia.

It is on January 7th that the Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas. It is a solemn and major festival for the country.

On this day, people take to the streets and sing alongside priests.

These mass processions, also called "Alilo", play a primary role in Georgia's Christmas celebration. Dressed as shepherds, the walkers collect money, which will be donated to charitable causes.

In Georgia, the New Year is celebrated from December 31st to January 2nd.

On New Year's Eve, every household must set a beautiful table laden with traditional dishes, such as Satsivi, lobio, roasted pork, khachapuri, gozinaki (honeyed walnuts), or churchkhela.

In Georgia, a number of beliefs are associated with the new year.

For example, the more sweets on the table, the more successful the coming year will be.

A Georgian tradition also associated with the New Year is the "mekvle", which refers to the first guest to cross the household threshold after midnight.

According to tradition, if the "Mekvle" is a healthy and benevolent person, preferably a close relative or friend, the family will prosper in the coming year.

Today, the "mekvle", which is also the New Year festival, is associated with Father Christmas.

In Georgia, Easter is celebrated in April or May.

All Georgian Orthodox churches celebrate Easter through special services, including Holy Thursday and Good Friday services.

For this purpose, Holy Thursday is celebrated according to the Last Supper rite, while on Good Friday, a special rite takes place in the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral where the Tunic of Jesus is buried.

In Kakheti takes place the Harvest Festival, a celebration that is both religious and folkloric.

The commemoration is organized at the Alaverdi Cathedral built in the 6th century a few kilometers from Telavi.

This multi-day festival concludes on September 28th, the feast day of Saint Joseph Alaverdi, one of the thirteen Syrian fathers and founder of the Alaverdi Cathedral.

Traditional Georgian Celebrations

In the northern Caucasus, bordering Chechnya, lies the Khevsureti region.

This picturesque region hosts a festival rooted in local traditions, the Shatiloba festival, organized in July and August in the village of Shatili.

This celebration offers the chance to discover traditional handcrafted products, local cuisine, and taste Khevsur beer.

The festival also features folk performances, mountain horse races, Georgian wrestling, and traditional music.

Don't forget to also taste Khinkali, one of the dishes offered by locals during the grand festive feast of Shatiloba.

List of Public Holidays and State Festivals in Georgia

December 31st to January 2nd: New Year

January 7th: Orthodox Christmas

January 19th: Baptism of Christ Day

March 3rd: Mother's Day

March 8th: International Women's Day

April 9th: National Unity Day (commemoration of the 1989 Tbilissi tragedy)

Variable: Orthodox Easter (April or May)

May 9th: Victory Day over Fascism

May 12th: Saint Andrew's Feast (beginning of the Christianization of the Caucasus)

May 26th: Independence Day (end of Russian rule 1801-1918)

August 28th: Assumption of the Virgin Mary

October 14th: Svetitskhovloba (construction of Georgia's first church)

November 23rd: Saint George's Festival (Patron Saint of Georgia)