Outdoors
- Sawnee Mountain Preserve protects over 820 acres just north of Cumming and has more than 11 miles of trails, including routes to the Indian Seats. The county says the Barker Overlook, a new hike-in viewpoint, is planned to open in 2026. Dogs are not allowed on the trails. Forsyth County: Sawnee Mountain Preserve
- The Big Creek Greenway is a 12-foot-wide concrete and boardwalk path that first opened in 2009. It runs nearly 16 miles through Forsyth County, from south Forsyth to Sawnee Mountain Preserve. Forsyth County: Big Creek Greenway
- Forsyth County says it has more than 200 miles of Lake Lanier shoreline. The New Georgia Encyclopedia puts about 30 percent of the lake's shoreline in Forsyth County. Forsyth County: About; New Georgia Encyclopedia: Forsyth County
- Poole's Mill Park in north Forsyth preserves a historic covered bridge over Settingdown Creek. The county restored the bridge and opened the park in 1997. Forsyth County: Poole's Mill Park
The park and trail matcher ranks the county’s parks for a free afternoon from where you live.
The fairgrounds and City Center
- The Cumming Fairgrounds, a City of Cumming facility at 235 Castleberry Road, hosts the Cumming Country Fair & Festival, two IPRA rodeos, the July 4th celebration, the Christmas parade finish and the Nights of Lights display. Cumming Fairgrounds: Events Calendar; City of Cumming facilities list
- The Cumming Country Fair & Festival is the largest event at the Cumming Fairgrounds. Its organizers say it draws more than 250,000 people over 11 days; 2026 was its 30th year. Cumming Fairgrounds: Cumming Country Fair & Festival (sponsor page)
- Cumming City Center, at 423 Canton Road, hosts the city's Lou Sobh Amphitheater. The City runs spring, summer and fall concert series there, plus seasonal markets and a holiday tree lighting. City of Cumming: Events calendar
Coming up
House of Four Scythes Haunted Attraction
Organizer date for 2026A haunted attraction at the Cumming Fairgrounds, open on the last two October weekends.
Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 30-31, 2026.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Cumming Fairgrounds: Events Calendar, checked 2026-10-19
Slide Into Sundays at City Center
Organizer date for 2026Weekly bounce houses, slides and games at City Center, run with Jump N Jacks. The City lists the price as $10 per child.
Sundays, Oct. 25 through Nov. 15, 2026.
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Source: City of Cumming events calendar, checked 2026-10-19
Trick or Trail
Organizer date for 2026Forsyth County Parks & Recreation's annual Halloween event, with a kid-friendly haunted trail, games, face painting, a bounce house and candy. Registration is through the county's recreation site.
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Forsyth County news: Your Guide to Halloween Fun in Forsyth County (Oct. 5, 2026); Old Atlanta Park location page, checked 2026-10-19
General Election and Special Elections
Organizer date for 2026Election Day for the Nov. 3 General Election and Special Elections. Advance voting runs weekdays through Oct. 30 at four county locations, including the elections office at 1201 Sawnee Drive. The registration deadline was Oct. 5.
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Forsyth County news: Voting Options for Nov. 3 General Election & Special Elections (Oct. 6, 2026), checked 2026-10-19
NGQMA Quarter Midget Races
Organizer date for 2026Quarter midget races run by the NGQMA club at the fairgrounds track. The fairgrounds calendar lists races on several dates through the year.
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6-8, 2026, and Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026.
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Source: Cumming Fairgrounds: Events Calendar, checked 2026-10-19
Household Hazardous Waste Recycling and Disposal Event
Organizer date for 2026Drop off paint, cleaners, oils, fuels, batteries, electronics, pesticides and other household hazardous waste at no charge (a $5 donation is suggested). Online pre-registration is required and opens at 9 a.m. on Oct. 19 at keepforsythcountybeautiful.org.
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Forsyth County news: Registration to Recycle Household Hazardous Waste Opens Oct. 19 (Oct. 14, 2026), checked 2026-10-19
Libraries, shopping and the rest
- Forsyth County Public Library has five branches: Cumming (585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming), Denmark (530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta), Hampton Park (5345 Settingdown Road, Cumming), Post Road (5010 Post Road, Cumming) and Sharon Forks (2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming). Forsyth County Public Library: branch pages
- The Collection at Forsyth, an open-air shopping and dining center, is at 410 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming, GA 30041. The Collection at Forsyth
- The county opened its Thrive Center at 595 Dahlonega Street on Oct. 15, 2026. It is a hub for Parks & Recreation's therapeutic recreation programs. Forsyth County news (Oct. 16, 2026)
Downtown Cumming’s restaurants, shops and City Center events are covered in more detail by our sister guide, downtowncumming.com.
Questions
Where are the libraries in Forsyth County?
Forsyth County Public Library has five branches: Cumming (585 Dahlonega Street), Denmark (530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta), Hampton Park (5345 Settingdown Road), Post Road (5010 Post Road) and Sharon Forks (2820 Old Atlanta Road). Cards are free for county residents with photo ID showing a current address.
Source: Forsyth County Public Library
How many parks does Forsyth County have?
The county lists 37 parks, 58.5 miles of trails, 9 lake parks, 2 river parks, 3 campgrounds and 25 playgrounds. Its Parks & Recreation department is nationally accredited by CAPRA. Popular parks include Sawnee Mountain Preserve, Fowler Park, Central Park and the Big Creek Greenway.
Where can I hike in Forsyth County?
Sawnee Mountain Preserve, just north of Cumming, protects over 820 acres and has more than 11 miles of trails, including the route to the Indian Seats. The visitor center is at 4075 Spot Road. Dogs are not allowed on its trails. The paved Big Creek Greenway runs nearly 16 miles through the county.
Source: Forsyth County: Sawnee Mountain Preserve; Big Creek Greenway
Is the Big Creek Greenway open?
Most of it. The 12-foot-wide path runs nearly 16 miles from south Forsyth to Sawnee Mountain Preserve, but Phase 4, from the Bethelview Trailhead (mile 8.5) to south of Kelly Mill Road (mile 10.3), is closed while the boardwalk is rebuilt. Trail hours are 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. March-October and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. November-February.
When is the Cumming Country Fair?
The Cumming Country Fair & Festival is held each October at the Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road. The 2026 fair ran Oct. 8-18 and was its 30th year; organizers say it draws more than 250,000 people over 11 days. The 2027 dates have not been posted yet.
Source: Cumming Fairgrounds
What holiday events are in Forsyth County?
In 2026: The Collection's tree lighting and holiday market on Nov. 14; Nights of Lights, a walk-through light display at the Cumming Fairgrounds, Nov. 20-Dec. 27; the City Center holiday market and tree lighting on Nov. 21; and the City of Cumming Christmas Parade at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Source: City of Cumming events; Cumming Fairgrounds; Nights of Lights; The Collection at Forsyth
What is Cumming City Center?
Cumming City Center is a city-run gathering place at 423 Canton Road with the Lou Sobh Amphitheater. The City holds spring, summer and fall concert series there, plus markets, festivals such as the Cumming Wine Fest and Beer Fest, and a holiday tree lighting the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Source: City of Cumming events calendar
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organizers have the final word: Forsyth County Government