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New Year's Eve in Athens

It's almost time to bid adieu to our good friend 2013. We've had some good times, but we're moving on to something bigger and better... 2014! New Year's Eve plans are of the utmost importance because how you spend that night is said to be how you'll spend the rest of the next year. No one knows how to party better than Athens, Georgia, and with so many parties to choose from, they've got you covered for December 31st. So pop open that bottle of champagne, start belting out the lines of "Auld Lang Syne," and get on down to Athens to ring in the New Year in style!

Forget about stressing over your New Year's Eve plans! Spend your night dancing away at The Melting Point, and you won't have to worry about a thing because Foundry Park Inn & Spa has it all covered with New Year's Eve's biggest bash. They're offering two special packages, beginning at just $199! Enjoy a night of live music with The Swingin' Medallions, including dinner package options, champagne at midnight, and the area's largest balloon drop. 

If you're looking for a good time this New Year's Eve, look no further than Hotel Indigo's party in the the Rialto Room. The Hotel Indigo will be offering a special NYE package including a one-night stay in a luxurious room, two tickets to the exclusive party in the Rialto Room, and champagne at midnight! Athens' own band, The Highballs, will be rocking the stage all night to make sure no one forgets their last moments of 2013!


There can be no more exciting place to count down those last seconds of the old year, than at Athens' famous Georgia Theatre. Make it a night to remember when you toast to the new year with all your friends among the backdrop of some fabulous live music. New Madrid takes the stage at 9 p.m., followed by Velveteen Pink at 10 p.m. and then The Whigs take over at 11:15 p.m. to rock the house for the last time in 2013.


If you're considering celebrating 2014 in Athens, then a trip to the internationally-renowned 40 Watt Club should definitely make your list. No party in Athens would be complete without some great live music, and 40 Watt does it up right this New Year's Eve with Radiolucent. Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m.

Athens This Weekend: December 6 - 8

The holiday season is upon us in Athens, Georgia! No other city can help get you into the spirit better than the Classic City. With music, theatre, and food, there are so many different ways to have a good time while still being able to spread a little holiday cheer.  Plan your Georgia holiday getaway to Athens, GA today!

If you're a fan of the book that's been flying off the shelves, you're going to love what's coming to The Classic Center Friday December 6th at 8 p.m. 50 Shades! The Musical is a hilarious parody of the 50 Shades of Grey phenomenon. A sexy and hysterical musical romp, this is the show everyone is going to be talking about so grab your tickets now! It's going to be a night of music, dancing, and lots of laughs... what more could you possibly want?!

Now that the holidays are here, holiday shopping is sure to be on your mind. It's a tough task to find something unique for all the people in your life, but Indie South Fair's Holiday Hooray! is here to save the day! This Saturday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday noon - 5 p.m., come on out to the Boulevard Historic District (660 Chase Street) to see a diverse selection of handcrafted items that make perfect gifts for those people who are so hard to shop for. Home.made catering will be providing food, and there will also be live music to accompany you while you get a head start on all your holiday shopping.  This is just one of many, many artists markets occurring in Athens this December-- check out more at www.VisitAthensGA.com/holiday

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia's Annual Holiday Open House is here and it's sure to kick start your holiday season into high gear! Come on out to the Botanical Garden on Sunday from 2 - 5 p.m. and experience the tropical conservatory all decked out in festival decorations. Great family Christmas photo opp!  Live music will be performed by the Georgia Children's Chorus, Solstice Sisters, and Classic City Band. There will be three puppet shows in the Children's Classroom. And that's all not even mentioning that Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be there to take pictures with the children and chat about their Christmas wishes. It's going to be a very special day, one that you and your family are sure to add to your holiday traditions!

Come celebrate everyone's favorite time of year in the greatest city in the world! Nobody can do holidays better than Athens, Georgia. These aren't the only events going on this weekend, either. For a complete look at everything going on in the Classic City this season, and to see great overnight packages for The Nutcracker and New Year's Eve, check out www.VisitAthensGA.com/holiday. 

Holiday Spirits House Museum Tour returns to Athens December 14

Here's the latest on the 2013 edition of the Athens Historic House Museum Association's award-winning Holiday Spirits Museum Mile Tour on Saturday, December 14: 

Taylor-Grady House

This special holiday version of the Museum Mile Tour will transport participants to Christmases past with a focus on Southern holiday traditions spanning the 19th Century in Athens, Georgia. 

The tour includes live period music at the Church-Waddel-Brumby House, professional theatre with a Rose of Athens Cobb Family performance at the T.R.R. Cobb House, light

Ware-Lyndon House

refreshments provided by the Junior League of Athens at the Taylor-Grady House, and culminates with a glorious Victorian Christmas at the Ware-Lyndon House. During this festive tour of four house museums, participants will experience music, theatre, and delicious fun, along with an opportunity to learn more about the Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian periods in Athens from a professional tour guide. 

Athens Welcome Center

The Holiday Spirits Museum Mile Tour will depart by bus on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 each for the two-hour tour and are available with reservations through the Athens Welcome Center at 706-353-1820 or online at www.athenswelcomecenter.com.  Space is limited, so you are encouraged to reserve your seats early.  This tour is hosted by the Athens Historic House Museum Association, a committee of the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation. 

T.R.R. Cobb House

What a great Georgia Christmas season outing for anyone who loves house tours, architecture, Antebellum culture, and seasonal decorations!

Christmas at The Classic Center

If you love Athens and Christmas, then Christmas at The Classic Center is like your early Christmas present! This winter, the Classic City has arranged a winter wonderland at The Classic Center fit with everything you could ever dream of to get into the Christmas spirit. From December 14 - 22nd, you will be able to spread the tidings of comfort and joy all through the greatest city in the world! Head to Athens, Georgia, for the perfect getaway trip this Christmas season.

Drumroll please! ........ ICE SKATING is coming to The Classic Center. Romantic winter date night or fun daytime activity for the kids, Athens' only indoor ice rink is the perfect place to start making holiday traditions! Tickets are $10 per person and includes your skate rental.

Kick off Christmas at The Classic Center with the Festival of Trees. There will be an opening reception on December 13th at 6:30 p.m. where guests will be treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres, dessert and drinks. The silent auction for the 50 decorated Christmas trees featured in the Festival will be open exclusively to guests of the reception. Proceeds from the auctioned trees will benefit Extra Special People, a local nonprofit that empowers children with developmental disabilities. Tickets to the opening reception are $20. 

Christmas at The Classic Center is so special that even Santa Claus himself is taking time from his busy, busy schedule to make several appearances. On Saturday December 14th and 21st, come to The Classic Center to have a special breakfast with jolly ole Saint Nick! While at the festival he'll also be taking pictures, with photos available for purchase. Tickets to share a meal with Kris Kringle are only $20 and it includes general admission to the festival plus a complimentary photo with Santa. Not to mention, it's sure to bring a smile to all the little ones' faces!

There are oh so many activities going on throughout the 8 days! You can come work in Santa's workshop where there will be Christmas cookie making and holiday crafts galore. There will be a gingerbread house display where professional local bakers will be presenting their creations and you can vote on your favorite. Or you can hop on the Polar Express for a holiday train ride through Grand Hall. There will also be performances by the local chorus, bouncy houses and more! Tickets to Christmas at The Classic Center are $3 and $6 for a multi-day pass. 

Holiday Season in Athens

It's time to deck the halls of the Classic City because everyone's favorite time of year is fast approaching... the holiday season! Nobody does winter holidays better than Athens, Georgia. The reason for the season is family and with SO much going on in December, you are certain to find something festive and fun that you and all your loved ones can enjoy. With "The Nutcracker" and ice skating in addition to returning favorites such as the parade and holiday markets, this year is the perfect opportunity to take a break and make a Georgia getaway to Athens this Christmas season.

For the first time ever in The Classic Center Theatre, audiences will be able to celebrate the season with a very special version of the Second Thursday Concert Series. The University of Georgia's Holiday Concert brings together the UGA Symphony Orchestra, Hodgson Singers, and University Chorus for a night of holiday music magic. Come and enjoy this unique community tradition on December 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. More information can be found here!

It wouldn't be Christmas in Athens, Georgia without the Parade of Lights. This popular annual event allows spectators the opportunity to view an evening parade and to enjoy the festive atmosphere of Downtown Athens while it is all decorated for the holiday season. This year's theme, the "Sounds of Christmas," will have Christmas cheer ringing through the Classic City on December 5.  The parade begins at 7 p.m. at the corner of Dougherty and Pulaski Street and ends an hour later in front of City Hall. The traditional tree lighting ceremony, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, will follow. Kick off the 2013 holiday season in classic Athens style and don't miss the chance to see your favorite city lit up like a tree, a Christmas tree that is. 

Athens is well-known for its art scene, making holiday artist markets and special events the perfect opportunity to find one-of-a-kind gifts. This year the Indie South Fair (formerly Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa) is expanding to a 2-day festival. The Holiday Hooray! on December 7th & 8th brings an eclectic selection of emerging artists and crafters from the South and beyond to downtown Athens. If you're an artist, the fair provides a venue for you to directly connect with the community in a street-fair atmosphere that is always free and open to everyone. So whether you're looking to share your craft or shop for loved ones, the Holiday Hooray! is a seasonal experience everyone should have. More information about the fair is available here.

The holiday season is all about the spirit of giving. Rather than racking your brain for the perfect gift for that special somebody, head on over to Handmade for the Holidays: Athens Artist Market at The Classic Center. With 60 local artists displaying their unique, one-of-a-kind crafts, you're sure to find something for everyone on your shopping list. With everything from pottery and paintings, to jewelry and skincare, no one will be leaving empty-handed! Handmade for the Holidays will be at The Classic Center December 14 from noon - 8 p.m., and December 15 from noon - 6 p.m. There are even more shopping opportunities in Athens, including the Lyndon House Arts Center's Deck the Walls Holiday Shop and Heirloom Café's Holiday Market.

Allow yourself to be transported to Christmases past. On December 14, the Athens Historic House Museum Association will host the Holiday Spirits Museum Mile Tour which will focus on period holiday traditions spanning the 19th century by exploring four unique historic houses from the Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian periods. The tour will culminate with a glorious Victorian Christmas at the Ware-Lyndon House. The tour begins at 2 p.m. and tickets are $25. Make your reservations today by calling 706-353-1820. 

No holiday season would be complete without the twinkle of Christmas lights. From December 12 - 21st, the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department will host Deck the Hollow Holiday Lights at Bear Hollow Zoo. Everyone is invited to celebrate the holiday in lights from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. nightly. Other festive activities will include live music, animal encounters, and photo opportunities in the zoo illuminated by lights. Admission is $2 per person, free for ages 2 and under. More information can be found here.

From December 14 - 22, Christmas at The Classic Center will transform the Grand Hall into a winter wonderland complete with a series of ongoing events including a festival of trees, ice skating, pictures with Santa, and more. Bring your family and y'all can enjoy a special breakfast with Santa and other holiday characters on Saturday December 14 or December 21 at 9 a.m. In Santa's workshop, the kiddos will be able to decorate cookies and create holiday crafts. Other highlights of the festival include professional gingerbread houses on display, local choral group performances, and holiday story and movie time. Additional information can be found here or by calling 706-357-4444.

For generations, no other holiday activity has represented the spirit of Christmas as memorably as a family outing to see "The Nutcracker." This holiday season, The Classic Center will host State Ballet Theatre of Russia's "The Nutcracker" for three special performances. On December 21-22, the magic of Christmas will come alive as audiences enjoy the spectacular sets, beautiful costumes, and enchanting choreography. You have three chances to catch this holiday classic come to life: Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. What would Christmas be without "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy?" Don't miss out this year! Ticketing information can be found at here. Overnight packages including tickets to see "The Nutcracker" are available for December 21st.

The year is almost over and 2014 is on its way! Finding the perfect plans for New Year's Eve can be really stressful, so take a load off and come to the Classic City. With tons of live music all around town and several hotels offering special holiday packages, Athens has all you need to ring in the New Year just right! 

The holidays will be over before you know it; try to soak up all the end of the year activities while you still can! Grab some hot cocoa and all your loved ones, and make some lasting memories during the most wonderful time of the year in the most wonderful city of all: Athens, Georgia! The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau is here to help you while you plan your holiday visit to Athens. Visit them at visitathensga.com or call them at 706-357-4430 for information. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!