09/03/2026
First Friday is almost here!
Downtown Canton comes alive 6–9 PM with Emerald Empire Band bringing the high‑energy, dance‑all‑night vibes. Grab dinner, bring your chairs after 7 AM, and enjoy the night!
Main Street closes at 4 PM, Cruise‑In rolls in at 4:30 PM, and don’t forget our complimentary shuttle from The Mill running 5:30–10 PM. Restrooms, Kids Zone, shops, and restaurants are all ready for you.
It's time for a little 'KNOW BEFORE YOU GO' as we get ready for Downtown Canton GA First Friday with EMERALD EMPIRE BAND!
🎶First Friday is 6-9pm
🎶The Emerald Empire Band is a high-energy show band known for powerful vocals, incredible musicianship, and a wide range of crowd-favorite hits. From pop and rock to funk and soul, they'll deliver an electrifying performance that will keep you dancing all night. So, grab your friends, enjoy dinner at one of Downtown Canton's amazing restaurants, and get ready for a night of great music!
'Party After the Party'
Green Line Brewery will host The Wh***ey Holler
Check GL's fb pages for more details
**Chairs**
You may begin setting out chairs at 7am Friday morning. The irrigation system in Cannon Park will be operating between 6-7am so please wait until 7am for chair placement.
Keep in mind Cannon Park is not the only spot for chairs. Once Main Street is closed for the event at 4pm, you can spread out into the Water Authority and Jones Building lots on either side of Cannon Park. North Street will turn into one lane so the area directly behind Cannon Park will also be available! We also ask that you please keep the sidewalks clear.
**Set up for First Friday**
Please remove all vehicles along Main Street and within the Jones Building and Water Authority lots by 3pm Friday so vendors can begin to set up at 4pm.
**Cruise In**
🚙The Cruise In Car Show will be located within the Cherokee County Water Employee Parking lot.
**Food vendors will be setting up in this lot beginning at 4pm.
No cars will be admitted into the lot while the food truck is setting up.
**Classic cars may begin arriving at 4:30 and will enter from the North Street entrance. This is on a first come, first served basis until the lot is full.
COMPLIMENTARY SHUTTLE
We've got you covered with a COMPLIMENTARY SHUTTLE to get you to the event area!
You may park your vehicle at The Mill on Etowah near the lower parking area across from District on The Etowah Apartments (look for the water tower near the District entrance) and jump on the Shuttle that will pick you up beginning at 5:30pm and drop you off at the corner of Academy & Main. Thank you Hennessy Limo Atlantafor partnering with us and THANK YOU to our shuttle sponsor Mauldin Body Shop & Towing. Please note the shuttle will be available between the hours of 5:30pm and 10:00pm so please plan your evening accordingly.
🚗 PUBLIC PARKING is available:
Archer Street Parking Deck
Parking area at the corner of Academy and Main
Behind the Historic Courthouse
Brown Park
**Don't forget about the SHUTTLE!
🚻 THREE RESTROOMS and WASH STATION AREAS
Behind the Canton Stage
Along the sidewalk of the Water Authority (North Street)
Along the sidewalk of the Jones Building
A DROP OFF ZONE will be available on North Street near the Water Authority. This is great if you want to pull up and drop someone off and go park.
* HANDICAP PARKING
There will several coned parking spaces available along North Street to the rear of the Jones Building.
Also please remember to take advantage of the DROP OFF area along North Street near Cherokee County Water And Sewerage Authority.
ADDITIONAL SEATING
NORTH STREET will turn into ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC from the rear of the Jones Building to the Water Authority Building/Drop Off zone. This will allow us to offer more seating.
Please leave ALL sidewalks leading to restrooms and around Cannon Park open to foot traffic. Do not set up blankets or chairs on the sidewalks.
🤠🚀⭐
🎈KIDS ZONE activities:
* ChrisAlly Big Throw Down Axe and Dart Game
* Pixie and Luna Balloons
* BEautiful Face Painting
* Christ the Rock - Canton
**Moving Target ATL will be set up in the JONES LOT.
$10 to throw!
Make sure to bring or wear closed toes shoes OR you can rent sizes 6-12 for $2.
Come make some memories while you're enjoying everything First Friday has to offer!
🍕🍻FOOD AND BEVERAGES located along Main Street
Choate BBQ
The Little Sober Bar
Patty Wagon ATL
Le Macaron
Elote Express
Big Door Vineyards
Queenie's
Cheez'd & Confuzed
Joe's Lonestar Tacos
Kona Ice of North Georgia
Cloud 9 Kettle Corn
Green Line Brewery
Stout's Brewery
Three Roses Bar
Goin Local Seafood Bar
King of Pops
Rock N Roll Sushi
Goin' Local Street Dogs
It's A Tropical Thang
B&B Social
La Cantina on Main
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Real Crepes
Joupe Jeht
Geno's Bag O'Donuts
Tweety Bird Funnel Cakes
Your Pie
Cloud Tea
🛍 RETAIL SHOPS WILL HAVE EXTENDED SHOPPING HOURS
🪑IF YOU WOULD LIKE A SIT DOWN MEAL, our restaurants are waiting to serve you! Reservations are encouraged!
*Santa Casa Center, Goshen Valley and Building Fires will be set up near the Canton Theatre so please make sure to visit with them!
👏 SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR FIRST FRIDAY SPONSORS!!
CANTON STAGE SPONSOR - Hasty Pope
PRESENTING SPONSOR - J. Lyndon Financial
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Revive Day Spa & Boutique
DT Chiropractic
Kinetic Internet
Price Law Group, LLC
Boulevard - Where Luxury Lives
White Rabbit Electrology
Rock N Roll Sushi
Jake West Agency
LUXOver Lighting
District on The Etowah Apartments
Capital Recovery Corporation
SHUTTLE SPONSOR
Mauldin Body Shop & Towing
Hennessy Limo Atlanta
KIDS ZONE SPONSORS
Jape Services
The Med Spa at Revive
Servicewise Electric & Plumbing
GOLD SPONSORS
Indulgence Fine Jewelry
Chuck's Auto Repair
IN KIND
Hampton Inn
Family Life Magazines
Canton City Lifestyle
Black Cat Merchandising
EMI
****The First Friday event area is to capacity. No additional vendor space is available for the 2026 season. Thank you for understanding.
See you soon!
