Athens This Weekend: November 22 - 24

The forecast is in and it's looking like we're all due for a classic Athens weekend! With the final home UGA football game and a lineup of live music that will keep you dancing all weekend long, what more could you ask for? 

If you're aching for the days of Journey and Michael Jackson, this is the event for you. Totally '80s live with The Highballs is coming back to the Melting Point for a show that will transport you back to the days of permed hair, neon spandex, and music that made you think you could moon walk. It's definitely something you're not going to want to miss, so check them out this Friday night at 9 p.m. Doors open at 6 for dinner and drinks. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 the day of the show.

It's time to say goodbye... to UGA football for the 2013 season and to longtime quarterback Aaron Murray. Come on out to Sanford Stadium this Saturday to watch the Dawgs take on SEC rival Kentucky, to celebrate all the good times this year, and to thank Aaron for his hard work during his tenure at UGA. As if you needed any more incentive, it's finally going to be a home night game (7 p.m. to be exact)! Don't miss your chance to say goodbye, until next year that is! 

No perfect Athens weekend would be complete without live music at the Georgia Theatre. This Saturday, the Cosmic Charlies are taking the stage for an unforgettable night. Dark Side of the Dead is an inventive performance of the entire Pink Floyd classic, Dark Side of the Moon album, with an infusion of Grateful Dead, complete with backup singers and saxophones. Doors open at 10 p.m. and the show begins after the game. Grab your tickets now!

With ONE more football game left to take place between our beloved hedges this year, you need to be making your plans now to make this Saturday in Athens your best one yet! For all things UGA football related, including tips on where to stay, park, and eat, check out visitathensga.com/football. And don't forget to look at the calendar if you want to see all the other fun things going on this weekend in Athens, Georgia.

Have a great, safe weekend! And GO DAWGS!

Athens This Labor Day Weekend: Aug. 30 - Sept. 2

This weekend marks the beginning of every Athenian's favorite time of year: football season! But while the team is up in Death Valley stomping on the Clemson Tigers, there are plenty of other fun things to do right here in Athens, Georgia! Make sure not to miss all the other incredible events going on this Labor Day weekend in the Classic City!

Head to The Melting Point on Friday for a great night of 80's music featuring one of Athens' favorite party bands, The Highballs! If you're still longing for the days of big hair and neon spandex, come have a blast at Totally '80's LIVE with The Highballs! Seems like each time they set foot in this venue, the place erupts into one big cozy dance floor. They play all the hits from your favorite era, and bring as much energy as they do talent to the room! They are in high-demand for weddings throughout the Southeast, but in case you are a little afraid of commitment, The Melting Point is proud to present them in a traditional concert atmosphere for you. The show is 18 & up, and it is recommended you get your tickets in advance, as this $10 price will attract a crowd. Grab your tickets here!

If you're in need of plans Saturday before watching Georgia take on Clemson, try a relaxing day out on Lake Chapman at Sandy Creek Park. It'll be the last day to take advantage of their partnership with Floating Peach Paddle Co., which provides the opportunity to rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes! Come out from 1 - 5 p.m. and make sure to soak up every last bit of the summer sun you can before we head into fall! It's a great way to make some lasting memories with friends and family!

For the more art-savvy Athens-goer, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is opening a new watercolor exhibit on Sunday! Beth Evans, native to the Southeast, takes inspiration from birds and their habitat. She has been part of exhibitions throughout the Southeast, and is a member of the Southern Watercolor Society, the Artist Guild of Northwest Georgia, and the Atlanta Artist Center. This exhibit will be going on through October 13 and with no admission fee, it's sure to be one you don't want to miss! So if you're headed over for a walk through the Botanical Garden, make sure to stop by the Conservatory Gallery to appreciate all that can be done with watercolor and a love of nature!

Looking for some good family fun on Labor Day? Then don't miss out on the Athens Action Dash! It's a family-friendly 5K run/walk beginning at the Tate Student Center that was created by Action Ministries to provide local hunger, housing and education solutions. Join them and become an action hero! Make sure to wear your favorite action hero costume! And don’t forget your favorite pet because they can dress up too! Awards will be given for the best adult, child and pet costume. If you want to have some fun on Labor Day by walking or running with other local heroes, you can find more information here!

There's so much going on this holiday weekend in Athens, Georgia! For a complete look at all the things going on around the Classic City, be sure to check out the event calendar! Don't miss out all the great opportunities to take in all that this great city has to offer! Have a great long weekend and GO DAWGS!

Athens This Weekend: July 12 - 14

Having a blast in Athens, Georgia this weekend is easy, and hopefully all of the excitement will make you forget how quickly summer is passing! Dawg fans near, far, young, and old will not want to miss out on spending the day with UGA Football stars during the Countdown to Kickoff activities, performance-lovers will be thrilled to see the musical "Into the Woods," and adventure-seekers will love the Athens Dawg Derby Flyball Tournament and the Totally 80's Party with The Highballs! Grab the whole family and prepare your weekend getaway, because it's a great weekend to be in the Classic City! 

With less than 50 days until SEC Football season begins, UGA's Countdown to Kickoff weekend is upon us! The festivities begin on Friday morning at the Celebrity Dawg Classic, when attendees will be organized in groups of four and paired with a former or current UGA football player or a member of the coaching staff. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and golfing starts at 11 a.m. Golfers are invited to attend the awards reception, immediately following the tournament,  plus dinner, drinks and raffle prizes. Saturday is Kids Fan-Day, which is sure to get the whole family pumped up for UGA's upcoming season with opportunities to take pictures, get autographs, catch passes, run drills, and play games with some beloved former UGA football players now in the NFL, legends from the past, and the current UGA football team. This year, the guests of honor are members of UGA's 2002 football team. Don't be shocked if you see Hairy Dawg and a few other surprise guests there as well! Individual tickets are $25, and family packages are $75, including 4 tickets and a Countdown to Kickoff pennant for autographs. All proceeds benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the Georgia Transplant Foundation.

Get in touch with your imagination this weekend at the Morton Theatre, where the Circle Ensemble Theatre will perform the musical "Into the Woods!" Based on James Lapine's book and featuring music and lyrics by composer Stephen Sondheim, this musical "wow-ed" Broadway 25 years ago and won numerous awards, including "Most Outstanding Musical." The Circle Ensemble Theatre is a captivating Athens professional theatre company offering their version of the show at 7:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights plus a 2:00 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets are $15/$10 with a valid student ID and may be purchased via phone at 706-613-3771, online, or at the box office on weekdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3 p.m.-6 p.m. or during the hour before the show begins. 

The Melting Point has been keeping the music going this summer in Athens, and this weekend is no exception!  Rock out on Saturday night at the Totally 80's Party with The Highballs, which is exactly what it sounds like- a contagious, energetic 80's dance party! The Highballs are an Athens, GA-based dance band known to play the all of the best hits from the vibrant decade. Tickets are just $10 in advance/$13 at the door/$8 at the door with UGA student ID and can be purchased online! Feel free to arrive a couple of hours early for dinner and/or drinks to kick off your fun night ahead!

Dawgs of all ages will enjoy cheering on real dogs on Saturday and Sunday at Double Dog Dare's Athens Dawg Derby Flyball Tournament!  More than 230 canines will fill Ballroom 8 in the newly-renovated Classic Center to participate in relay races in teams of four on Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. During the races, each competitor must run the lane, jump the four hurdles, retrieve the pitched ball and return over the hurdles carrying the ball, and the first team to finish four dogs without error wins the heat. All classes of racing are offered, and entries are unlimited! The Flyball Tournament is unique, exciting entertainment for all and travels around the South, so you don't want to miss their Athens, Georgia stop!

With these choices and more, the family will have no problem staying entertained in Athens, Georgia this weekend! To plan a weekend getaway in the Classic City, check out the Convention and Visitors Bureau's website or call (706) 357-4430.