Honestly, most people driving down I-85 see the signs for Fairburn and just think of it as that place you pass on the way to the airport or Lagrange. They're missing out. Big time. This isn't just another Atlanta suburb—it’s a weirdly perfect mix of medieval fantasy, deep-woods hiking, and a downtown that feels like a movie set.
If you're looking for things to do in Fairburn, you've gotta look past the chain restaurants near the highway. The real soul of the place is tucked away in the shadows of 19th-century brickwork and under the canopy of some of the most underrated trails in Georgia.
The Renaissance of Entertainment
You can’t talk about Fairburn without mentioning the Georgia Renaissance Festival. It’s the 800-pound gorilla in the room. For 2026, the festival is slated to run from April 11 through May 31, covering Saturdays, Sundays, and Memorial Day.
People think it’s just for nerds in tunics. It's not. It’s basically a massive, immersive theme park where you can eat a turkey leg the size of your head while watching a guy juggle fire on a tightrope. The 2026 season is leaning hard into date-specific tickets, so don't just show up at the gate expecting to get in. They’ve moved almost entirely to online sales.
If you're going, aim for the themed weekends. The pirate-themed days or the Highland Fling usually have the best energy. Just be prepared for the dust—the Fairgrounds at 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Road are beautiful, but after a week of Georgia sun, you’ll be wearing half the soil by the time you leave.
Cochran Mill Park: More Than Just a Walk
Most locals will point you toward Cochran Mill Park if you want to get outside. But here's what they won't tell you: the "easy" trails are usually packed.
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If you want the real experience, you need to hit the West Park side. It’s got about 800 acres of woods and some genuinely haunting ruins of three different historic mills. The Henry Mill Falls Trail is a solid choice. It’s a moderate 2.75-mile hike that takes you to a waterfall that feels way more remote than it actually is.
Keep an eye out for the boulders. The granite outcroppings here are massive. It’s the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which is rare when you’re only 20 miles from the busiest airport in the world.
Quick Tips for the Park
- Parking: It’s $5 for a daily pass if you aren’t a resident. Use the kiosk.
- Horses: The West side is heavy on equestrian trails. If you're hiking, give the horses the right of way.
- Ruins: The Owen Cochran Mill and Berry Cochran Mill ruins are near the Orange trail. Don't climb on them; they're old and the park rangers aren't fans of people crumbling the history.
Downtown Fairburn and the Food Scene
Downtown Fairburn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and for good reason. It’s got that classic "Old Georgia" look with the train depots and brick storefronts.
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You have to eat at Oz Pizza. They’ve been around since '97 and they do a scratch-made dough that puts most Atlanta spots to shame. It’s a local institution. If you’re more in the mood for something sweet, the Peach Cobbler Factory on Senoia Road is basically a sugar-induced fever dream. They do cobblers, banana puddings, and cinnamon rolls that are frankly aggressive in their size.
For a drink, check out Cochran Mill Brewing Company. It’s a microbrewery that has become the de facto community living room. They usually have live music and a rotating tap list that leans into seasonal flavors. It’s a great spot to decompress after a long day of hiking or jousting.
The Local Calendar You Actually Want
Fairburn does events differently. The Fairburn Fall Festival is the big one, usually drawing upwards of 15,000 people to the downtown area. It’s a one-day blitz of a parade, live concerts (they’ve had some big names like Bow Wow and Pastor Troy in the past), and more vendors than you can count.
But the smaller stuff is where the charm is.
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- Friday Farmer’s Markets: From May through August, the local farmers set up shop. It’s the best place to get actual Georgia peaches without the tourist markup.
- Southside Theatre Guild: This is one of the oldest volunteer-run theaters in the metro area. The productions are surprisingly high-quality. If you're looking for things to do in Fairburn on a rainy night, check their schedule. It’s a 501(c)3 non-profit, so your ticket money actually stays in the community.
- Holiday Lights: Toward the end of the year, the "Blue Light Christmas" and the tree lighting at the downtown courtyard are peak small-town vibes.
A Bit of Ghostly History
If you’re into the weird or the historical, the Old Campbell County Courthouse is a must-see. Built in 1871, it’s a beautiful piece of classical architecture.
It served as the courthouse until Campbell County essentially went bankrupt and was annexed by Fulton County during the Great Depression. There’s a lot of local lore about the place. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, standing in front of a building that saw the transition of Georgia from the Reconstruction era to the modern age is pretty heavy.
Why People Get Fairburn Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Fairburn is just a "pass-through" town. It’s actually a hub for what people are calling the "Southside Renaissance." While everyone is looking at the high-rises in Buckhead, Fairburn has been quietly building a culture of outdoor adventure and historic preservation.
It’s not perfect. Traffic on Highway 29 can be a nightmare during rush hour. The Renaissance Festival traffic can back up for miles if you don’t time it right. But if you’re willing to navigate the quirks, there’s a depth here that most people miss because they’re too busy staring at their GPS.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Dates: If it's Spring, go to the GARenFest website and book your date-specific tickets at least two weeks out.
- Download the Map: Cochran Mill Park has over 18 miles of trails. Don't rely on cell service in the deep woods; download a PDF map of the West Park trails before you head out.
- Friday Planning: If you're visiting in the summer, aim for a Friday evening. You can hit the Farmer's Market, grab a pie at Oz Pizza, and then finish with a pint at the brewery.
- Support Local Arts: Look at the Southside Theatre Guild’s current season. Tickets are usually affordable and the atmosphere is way more intimate than the big theaters in Atlanta.