SUWANEE — Suwanee’s largest annual community celebration returns Sept. 19-20, bringing two days of art, food, entertainment and family activities to Town Center.

Suwanee Fest 2026 will embrace a fairy-tale theme with “Once Upon a Suwanee Fest,” adding storybook-inspired activities and photo opportunities to the festival’s traditional lineup.

The free event will feature more than 200 arts and crafts exhibitors, food vendors and community organizations, along with live entertainment, children’s activities and the annual Saturday morning parade.

The festival begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, with the Suwanee Fest parade. Floats, performers, community groups and costumed participants will follow a storybook theme as the parade travels from Town Center on Main along Main Street to Town Center Park.

Following the parade, Town Center Park will fill with artists and vendors offering handmade art, jewelry, home décor, clothing, accessories, gifts and other items.

Several popular festival features will return, including the Touchdown Tent, where visitors can watch college football games; the Pet Shade Tent for four-legged festivalgoers; and Youth on the Rise, which showcases young entrepreneurs and community organizations.

Food vendors will offer a mix of festival favorites, meals, desserts and snacks, while live performances are scheduled throughout both days.

This year’s theme will also bring several new attractions.

The Storybook Tent will feature live readings of children’s books throughout the weekend. On Sunday, guests can participate in the Storybook Stroll around the park, with visitors of all ages encouraged to dress as their favorite storybook characters.

Festivalgoers will also have an opportunity to support the North Gwinnett Co-Op while receiving one of Suwanee’s new reusable bag designs.

Visitors who bring a canned food or hygiene donation to the Co-Op booth will receive a ticket guaranteeing a reusable bag outside of the festival’s scheduled hourly distributions. Quantities are limited.

Suwanee Fest will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Because thousands of visitors are expected, the city is encouraging attendees to use free off-site parking and shuttle service rather than attempting to park near Town Center.

Air-conditioned shuttles will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Shuttle service will be limited during Saturday’s parade. Leashed dogs and strollers are permitted aboard the shuttles.

Parking and shuttle locations include:

• Green Beanstalk: Shadowbrook Church, 4187 Suwanee Dam Road. Wheelchair-accessible shuttles will be available at this location.
• Red Riding Hood: Shawnee North Business Center, 305 Shawnee North Drive at Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.
• Golden Goose Egg: Gwinnett Church, 300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Admission to Suwanee Fest is free.

Additional information, including entertainment schedules, festival maps, vendor details and parking information, is available at SuwaneeFest.com.