Autumn events in Georgia

Autumn in Georgia is a time for prolonged picturesque evening walks, energizing festivals, and wine infused travels. The days are getting cooler – a relief for some from the unbearable heat of August – and the capital becomes a bit more peaceful without all the crowds. The biggest excitement in the region during autumn is grape harvest, “Rtveli”, which turns the entire Kakheti region into a carnival of wine making. The perfect opportunity first-time visitors to experience some of Georgia's fascinating (and tasty!) culture. Read on to discover the key events to experience in Georgia this autumn.

To celebrate this occasion of "Rtveli", Georgian families gather around a common aim, which is to harvest grapes to produce excellent wine. A ripe fruit that is ready for picking has a short lifespan; so the harvest has to be completed within three days. After the grapes are picked, they get stored in a clay utensil called “Kvevri”, which is buried neck-deep into the soil. A long day in the field is followed by dinner, where the traditional Kakhetian food is served in abundance: juicy beef stew, local cheese made from sheep's milk “Guda”, cheese pie “Khachapuri” and freshly baked bread with homemade wine. The traditional celebration normally takes place in late September in eastern Georgia and in mid-October in western Georgia. So if you are a fan of vintage festivities, make sure to plan your trip to Georgia during this period.

It's no coincidence that September in Batumi is dubbed the Golden Season. Apart from the weather and the golden leaves on the tress, the month of September in Batumi is famous for BIAFF, a key cultural event attended by art house filmmakers and enthusiasts from all over the world. During the festival, the competition of short feature and documentary films is conducted together with film screenings on Era Square and various master-classes and seminars. If you're a cinephile, then you'll want to add this one to your list of events in Georgia to discover this autumn!

Since 2009, Georgia has been the host for the Golden Eye International Festival of TV and Movie Cameramen. The main goal of the festival is to support the development of movie and TV cameramen, promote and stimulate their work, identify and encourage the best. The festival attracts participants from all over the world. Seminars and exhibitions will be held alongside the event. When the festival is over, take a walk around the city to see the many architectural gems in Tbilisi.

This year, the city fair is scheduled from October 6th. On the event's eve, the farmers from different regions of the country flock to the capital carrying fresh village produce. Tbilisoba turns the whole city into a firework of festivals, exhibitions, shows, theatrical performances, food tastings and wine drinking. This is where the heroes of Lado Gudiashvili and Niko Pirosmani paintings come alive. For food lovers, the fair provides delicious locally grown fruits, vegetables, stew and most importantly – authentic Georgian wine.