Arts, crafts, food, music and community combine for a legendary autumn event in this coastal Georgia town
KINGSLAND AND CAMDEN COUNTY, GEORGIA–JUNE 2026–Coastal Georgia’s Kingsland may be a small town but it’s big on traditions. This year on Friday and Saturday, November 20-21, the 43rd anniversary of the Kingsland Catfish Festival takes over the historic downtown streets. It’s an annual tradition that has been gathering locals and visitors every fall and now stretches into its fifth decade!
There’s no admission fee to the popular Kingsland Catfish Festival that routinely attracts 15,000. This annual event not only serves up fresh catfish dishes but locally caught seafood and other Southern favorites, as well as beer and wine. More than 200 vendor booths will be selling arts and crafts and there will be a special children’s amusement area.
Entertainment consists of a Saturday parade through town and live music both days.
Naturally, the star of the show is the tasty catfish. The Kingsland Lion’s Club will be serving fried catfish dinners Friday night during festival hours and all day Saturday. Sides include French fries or Cajun grits.
It’s no wonder the Southeast Tourism Society has named the Kingsland Catfish Festival a “Top 20 Event” four times and the American Bus Association rewarded the event with a “Top 100 Event in North America” nod three times! Visit historic Kingland and its annual Catfish Festival and you’ll see why this coastal Georgia town has a reputation for being a family-friendly, fun-loving destination.
For details on the festival, accommodations and tourist information, visit the KingslandCatfishFestival.org or the Kingsland Convention & Visitors Bureau at VisitKingsland.com.
If you go
Georgia’s Kingsland is located only three miles from the Florida line along Interstate 95 and 25 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. There are numerous chain hotels along I-95, all centrally located to Kingsland restaurants and its historic, charming downtown. Kingsland’s sister city of St. Marys along the Atlantic coast is a short drive to the east.
Kingsland offer many unique adventures, from shopping along Main Street, releasing steam at Axes and 8ights Sports Bar (258 Haddock Road, Kingsland, Georgia 31558; 912-439-3213), Kingsland’s newest entertainment center featuring axe throwing, billiards and darts or the Georgia Coastal Railway (440 South Lee Street, Kingsland, 904-370-3744), one of America’s oldest privately owned shortline railroads. The Georgia Coastal Railway takes passengers of all ages through neighborhoods, Georgia marshlands, commercial districts and a working rail yard, sometimes with seasonally-inspired rides such as The Wild West Train and the ever-popular Christmas Train.
Kingsland offers year-round outdoor adventure, thanks to the area’s mild temperatures and wild Georgia landscapes. Explore some of the area’s best birding, hit the trails on bike or foot, enjoy a day on the courts or relax with a round of golf. Cumberland Island, Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island and part of the National Park Service, is only a short drive east. Visitors may catch a ferry to enjoy pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and ruins from The Gilded Age. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, designated as one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders and a safe haven for threatened and endangered species, is a short drive to the west.
Charming Kingsland’s a culinary town as well, where several restaurants have nabbed the Georgia Business Journal’s “Best of Georgia” award. Coffeehouses include Blue Bridge Coffeehouse (102 South Lee Street, downtown Kingsland) and The Espresso Base (909 East King Highway, Kingsland). Steffen’s Restaurant (550 South Lee Street, Kingsland) dates to 1948 and serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner from scratch! In downtown Kingsland, Chef Wanda Clark stretches the breakfast and lunch envelope at Wandaful Things (151 East William Avenue, downtown Kingsland), a “Best of Georgia” award winner. Lunch may be a global experience with Greek-American fusion at Karv Bistro (102 Marsh Harbor Parkway, Kingsland, 912-882 8882). Outerbanks Bar & Grill (140 The Lakes Boulevard, Suite H, Kingsland), another “Best of Georgia” award winner, offers delectable dishes and numerous bar-related events. For Italian lovers, Angelo’s Italian Restaurant (1371 Highway 40 East, Kingsland) serves up both Italian specialties in-house or innovative pizzas to go.
For more information on accommodations and tourist information, visit the Kingsland Convention & Visitors Bureau at VisitKingsland.com.