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! 

Athens This Valentine's Weekend: February 15 - 17

Love is in the air this weekend in Athens, GA! Celebrate Valentine's Day the right way in the Classic City with soothing jazz performances, lively grand openings or even the famous annual Taste of Athens. No matter what you and your loved one choose do, we're certain you'll fall in love with Athens, GA this weekend!

Valentine's Dinner  and Evening with Francine Reed

Attention lovebirds! In honor of Valentine's Day, the Melting Point is offering a special three-course dinner this Friday (February 15) followed by a one-night-only performance by jazz legend Francine Reed. Known for her powerful voice and commanding stage presence, Reed has become one of Atlanta's most treasured artists, performing favorites from Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald to Billy Holiday and Sarah Vaughn. This event is perfect for hopeless romantics, so be sure to get your tickets today! Event begins at 6 p.m. 

Classic Center Grand Opening Community Open House

Put on your party hats, Athenians! The Classic Center's $24 million renovation is finally complete, and now it's time to celebrate! Join us for a special Community Open House this Saturday (February 16) featuring performances by Athens Symphony Orchestra's Woodwind Ensemble and the New Columbian Brass Band. Admission is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for entry and can be picked up at both The Classic Center Theatre box office and the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center box office. Tickets are limited to four per person. 

20th Annual Taste of Athens

It's that time of the year again! Sample more than 50 of the Classic City's finest restaurants this Sunday (February 17) at the 20th Annual Taste of Athens. Featuring live music, wine and beer tastings and a fabulous silent auction, this annual event is always a major hit in Athens, GA. Not only is Taste of Athens loads of fun, but it also benefits Community Connection of Northeast Georgia who, for more than 25 years, has empowered the Athens community to GET, GIVE and GROW HELP. 

More events...

• Elvis' Hunka Hunka Burning Love, Fri. 7:30 p.m.
• Taste 10K, Sat. 8 a.m.
• UGA Gym Dogs vs. Florida, Sat. 4 p.m. 

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities going on in Athens? Explore our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia. Join the mailing list to stay in the loop about exciting events going on in the Classic City!

Athens This Weekend: August 3-5

 The weekend is almost here! There is plenty to do and see in Athens, Georgia, with a full calendar packed with music, art, and more. Check out what's happening in the Classic City this weekend!

1. 2012 Athens Maternity and Baby Fair

Saturday, August 4, the 2012 Athens Maternity and Baby Fair will be held at the Classic Center from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. This event will feature various exhibitors associated with health care, breastfeeding, child care, education, photography, and infant wear, as well as on-site children's activities and a silent auction. Admission is free, and parents, expecting parents, grandparents, and children are encouraged to attend. This is a great event for couples who already have children, or are planning to start a family in the future!

2. Syncretic Music Night

This Saturday night, August 4, ATHICA is hosting Syncretic Music Night, from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Musician Trappers Cabin, known as one of the top 10 unknown artists of 2007, will be singing with Nancy Kay. Also performing are Anni Paisley, known for her sultry, soulful sound, and Trey Pivott, who specializes in traditional folk and country instrumentals. The suggested cover charge is $6, and light refreshments will be served. Come out and enjoy a fabulous evening filled with great music and contemporary art!

3. Athens Brass Choir Concert

The State Botanical Gardens of Georgia will host a concert by the Athens Brass Choir on Sunday, August 5 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the garden's indoor conservatory. Celebrate the 2012 London Summer Olympics, as the band plays traditionally patriotic, Americana fanfare. Admission is free. Bring the whole family and enjoy a summer afternoon with some of the Classic City's most talented musicians!


Want a complete list of all upcoming activities and goings-on in Athens? Check out our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia.


Join the mailing list to stay in the loop about exciting events going on in the Classic City!


What's your favorite way to watch the Olympics in Athens?

Athens, GA This Weekend: Sept. 23 - 25 Events and Things to Do

If you're wondering about what to do this weekend in Athens, GA, you are in luck! This coming weekend is absolutely packed with fun events, festivals, and concerts, and they are all listed on the Athens CVB Event Calendar. I couldn't even start to tell you about everything going on this Friday through Sunday, but I wish I didn't have to narrow down this awesome list of things to do. Despite the fact that this Saturday is not a gameday, this weekend in Athens is going to be anything but boring.

1. This weekend is actually getting started on Thursday as the 1st Annual Athens Pride Weekend kicks off at the UGA Founders Memorial Garden! This celebration has grown from a Sunday picnic into a weekend full of amazing and fun events. On Friday, Farm 255 will be hosting a Dragaoke night from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.. From 1 - 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition will be hosting a beer bust at the Little Kings Shuffle Club, and this will be followed by Dancing thru the Decades at New Earth Music Hall from 6 - 10 p.m.. The event will come to a close on Sunday with a service at Our Hope Metropolitan Community Church from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; there will also be a Cookout and Celebration of Commitment at Lake Harris from 2 - 6 p.m. followed by Drag in the Rink from 8-11 p.m. at Skate Around USA. Find some time off and take part in this wonderful new Athens celebration!

2. Calling all film fanatics! The 8th Annual Dixie Film Festival is taking place this weekend from noon - midnight on Saturday and from 1 p.m. - midnight on Sunday at the Morton Theatre. This international film festival does highlight Georgia filmmakers and local talent in their special Mason-Dixie screenings. The films will be competing for the following awards: Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Peach Fuzz Award, Best Comedy, Best Animation, Best Documentary, Best Foreign, Best Screenplay, and the Mason-Dixie Award. If you only want to watch a few films, admission is $10 per 2 hour screening; however, if you would like to fully partake in this event, there is a $35 all-festival pass. You can purchase your tickets at the door or online -- go and support your local filmmakers!

3. I don't know about you all, but I have been excited for this coming Sunday for a while now. Why, you ask? Because world-renowned DJ, Tiesto, is coming! Tiesto, who is arguable one of the biggest and most well-known DJs in the world, has truly transformed the world of trance; chances are, even if you don't care for trance or don't think you've ever heard trance, you most likely have heard one of Tiesto's worldwide hit singles on the radio. And this show is sure to be one to look forward to; Tiesto is known for creating dance music spectaculars no matter where he is performing (he invests heavily in his own sets by employing his own light, sound, and visual crews!). The arena-sized dance party begins at 8 p.m. at the Classic Center.

None of the above sound like a promising weekend for you? No worries! There are plenty of other events going on -- read on for more!

• Feeling like you belong in the wrong decade? Head over to The Melting Point this Friday at 9 p.m. for the Totally '80s party with the Highballs! Bring your legwarmers and hairspray and get ready to dance the night away to covers of some of the greats - Madonna, Duran Duran, Journey, and more! General admission is $10, and doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner and drinks.
• If you're disappointed that you can't tailgate in Athens this Saturday, then make sure you head out to the Terrapin Brewery for its 2nd Annual Hop Harvest Festival. From 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., you can enjoy educational speakers, delicious food, as well as the harvesting of Terrapin's hop garden. And don't worry, the brewery will be featuring 12 casks of ale showcasing their different varieties of hops!
• Looking for a family-friendly event? The 27th Annual North Georgia Folk Festival will be held this Saturday from noon - 8 p.m. at the Sandy Creek Park. There will be traditional folk music as well as craft demonstrations and sales. The kids will love playing with the arts and crafts and animals!

So take a deep breath, take a bit of a breather from your work or school, and start planning your weekend of fun now! With so many possibilities this weekend, it's sure to be an exciting couple of days.


- Debbie

Athens This Weekend May 20-22

Attention! Attention! Calling all Athens-lovers of all ages, come check out some of the exciting events happening around town this weekend. Whether you are 6 years old or 60, the weekend's activities promise fun and adventure for the whole family.

1. The Athens Kids Expo 2011 will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at The Classic Center. Activites ranging from pony rides to a magic show are sure to make very happy campers out of all kids in attendance. Additional entertainment will come in the form of special guest appearances by favorites like the mighty Spiderman, Elmo, Dora the Explorer, and a few of the beautiful Disney Princesses. The Athens Kids Expo is a great opportunity for creative play and some memorable family bonding.

Find more information on ourAthens GA Community Calendar  event listing.

2. The first annual Ms. Senior Athens 2011 Pageant will showcase the grace and vigor of Athens' women of older generations. Come support our Seniors this Saturday at the Georgia Center, from 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., in a display of healthy living and aging. As sponsered by the Athens Community Council on Aging, the event is sure to provide an uplifting and impressive representation of the active spirit of Athens' 60+ community.

Check our event listing for more information about this event.

3. If the Kids Expo or Ms. Senior Pageant don't fit your fancy, the craft demonstrations, local BBQ, live music, parade, and more happening at the Winterville Marigold Festival this Saturday might just do the trick.   From 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. on the corner of Main and Parkview in Winterville, GA, the sounds and smells of the South will fill the streets. The day of country food, fun, and fanfare will conclude apporpriately with "Dancing in the Park" led by Athens' own folk band, Driftwood. The Winterville Marigold Festival is the perfect way to kick-off a sure-to-be-beautiful summer in the Athens area.

To find out more about event specifics, visit our calendar listing.

Valentine's Ideas: An Evening with Kenny Rogers

Here's another exciting option for your Valentine's weekend in Athens, Georgia:



The three time Grammy Award winner, Kenny Rogers, will take the stage February 12 at the Classic Center in downtown Athens, GA for a fun Valentine's weekend concert! For over five decades Kenny Rogers has crossed genre boundaries to gain fans from country, rock, pop, and soul audiences worldwide. He has recorded 65 albums and charted 24 Number One Hits including The Gambler, Lady, Through The Years, Lucille, Buy Me A Rose, and Islands In The Stream. Don't miss this unforgettable concert at 8 p.m. in the premiere Classic Center theatre.



Find venue and ticket information at www.classiccenter.com and if you need a place to stay for the night, check out the local Valentine's weekend hotel deals!