A weekend of workshops, concerts, jam sessions, and musical community in Helen, Georgia.

Overview

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!

Instructors

Featured Instructors

Stephen Seifert

Stephen Seifert

Mountain Dulcimer

Susan Trump

Susan Trump

Mountain Dulcimer

Mark Alan Wade

Mark Alan Wade

Hammered Dulcimer

Bing Futch

Bing Futch

Mountain Dulcimer

Schedule

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

Workshops

Workshops

Coming Soon.

Venue & Lodging

Venue and Lodging

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

Registration

Register for Dulcimer Oktoberfest

REGISTRATION - $169.00