Dulcimer Oktoberfest

Dulcimer Oktoberfest (September 11th - 12th, 2026), brings the North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association back to the charming town of Helen, Georgia, home of the long-running NGFDA Fall Festival.

This new event brings dulcimer workshops, concerts, and jams right into the middle of Helen Oktoberfest, which kicks off the same weekend. Expect a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere with traditional food, beverage, and sounds!

Schedule

Because sessions run one at a time, workshops are organized into instrument blocks for Mountain Dulcimer and Hammered Dulcimer. In a two-hour block, the group stays put while instructors change at the top of each hour. Stay for both classes, or use that two-hour window to explore Helen and Oktoberfest. Three-hour blocks work the same way, with instructors rotating every hour.

Friday, Sept 11

7:30 am  Doors open. Registration and vendor browsing (registration ongoing). Jam TBA (ongoing)
8:00–9:00  Workshop 1 (Mountain Dulcimer)
9:00–10:00  Workshop 2 (Mountain Dulcimer)
10:00–10:30  Vending break (30 minutes)
10:30–11:30  Workshop 3 (Hammered Dulcimer)
11:30–12:30 pm  Workshop 4 (Hammered Dulcimer)
12:30–2:00 pm  Lunch (90 minutes)
2:00–3:00  Workshop 5 (Mountain Dulcimer)
3:00–4:00  Workshop 6 (Mountain Dulcimer)
4:00–5:00  Workshop 7 (Mountain Dulcimer)
5:00–6:30  Dinner (90 minutes)
7:00–8:00  Concert (2 performers. 30 minutes each)
8:00 pm–?  Explore and enjoy Oktoberfest. Jams TBA

Saturday, Sept 12

7:30 am  Doors open. Vendor browsing. Jam TBA (ongoing)
8:00–9:00  Workshop 1 (Hammered Dulcimer)
9:00–10:00  Workshop 2 (Hammered Dulcimer)
10:00–10:30  Vending break (30 minutes)
10:30–11:30  Workshop 3 (Mountain Dulcimer)
11:30 am–1:00 pm  Lunch (90 minutes). Oktoberfest Parade at 12:00 noon
1:00–2:00  Workshop 4 (Mountain Dulcimer)
2:00–3:00  Workshop 5 (Mountain Dulcimer)
3:00–4:00  Workshop 6 (Mountain Dulcimer)
4:00–5:00  Workshop 7 (Mountain Dulcimer)
5:00–6:30  Dinner (90 minutes)
7:00–8:00  Concert (2 performers. 30 minutes each)
8:00 pm–?  Explore and enjoy Oktoberfest. Jams TBA

Venue and Lodging

Venue details, room block information, overflow hotels, and local notes will appear here.