Fall is a very magical time here in Athens. Beyond popular belief, Athens has much more to offer than football on any given Saturday, as we host dozens of events celebrating our rich culture, quirky style, and popular traditions. From the Terrapin Hop Harvest, to the annual Wild Rumpus Parade, there is something for everyone and every family to enjoy! With all of these exciting and attention-grabbing events, Athens proves to be more than a football destination in the Fall, but a place where all of your favorite fall activities are wrapped into one.
October 2015 Events
On October 4th, Athens will host the 5th Annual Autumn Harvest Feast. Come out and enjoy a family style Sunday dinner accompanied with some great local music to kick off the fall season. There will be a silent auction filled with all of your favorites from local farmers, artisans, chefs, and friends to help celebrate the Autumn harvest presented by Athens Farmers Market. Athens' finest local chefs will prepare locally produced ingredients sourced from the Athens Farmers Market for a truly amazing meal, partnered with the ideal fall experience. With special guest, Georgia State Senator Jason Carter, live music from String Theory, and food and drinks from your Athens’ favorites, this event will be something you won’t want to miss!
Athens, Ga is once again proud to celebrate with you the 31st Annual North Georgia Folk Festival on October 10th. The day-long festival will include musicians, artists, storytellers, food, kid’s activities, and craft demonstrations. It will be a great experience for the whole family, ensuring enough fun to go around throughout this all-day festival. Park admission for everyone aged 4-64 is $2, so you don’t have an excuse not to go!
Come out and celebrate UGA’s Homecoming Parade on October 16th, right here in downtown Athens! This annual parade is led by the fantastic Redcoat Band and has appearances by the UGA cheerleaders, athletes, and other university and Athens dignitaries. In typical parade fashion, there will be an abundance of ornate floats and displays made by both students, faculty, and university clubs/organizations. The Homecoming Parade is a free event and will be enjoyed by all who attend and participate due to its uplifting nature as well as the fun, downtown atmosphere.
The Classic City Fringe Festival is an event spanning several days, October 22nd-25th, and in several venues throughout downtown Athens. The festival celebrates the amazing variety of fringe artists and performers who call Athens home. The Fringe Festival serves as an outlet for performers on the “fringe”, such as street theater, circus and cabaret performers, burlesque and vaudeville, performance art and avant-garde dance and movement, stand-up comedy and improv, experimental art and film and music. These artists’ out-of-the-box performances will inspire, challenge, shock, and of course entertain you with a collection of art unlike anything else the public will see the rest of the year.
The Lickskillet Artist Market and Festival is a unique artists market and festival for the whole family. This exciting indoor/outdoor event features eclectic wares for sale by artists of all ages, demonstrations by area artists, live music, children’s art activities, food vendors, and tours of the historic Ware-Lyndon House. Taking place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 24th, it will be perfect fall weather to enjoy a full day of everything the festival has to offer!
Mark your calendar with a big green X for October 23rd and 24th because it is the 5th Annual Hop Harvest Festival presented by Terrapin Beer Co, and you will not want to miss it. As always, the Hop Harvest Festival at Athens brewery will feature a special release beer, So Fresh & So Green, Green, and a portion of their proceeds will be donated to Dogwood Alliance. From 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., live music and a wide selection of Terrapin favorites, as well as celebrating all things “hoppy,” will make this year's festival one to remember. But, without a doubt, the hops will be the star of the show. So come out and support one of the great local Athens business, and have a ton of fun while you’re at it. Don’t forget, #HopLoversUnite.
The 6th Annual AthHalf take place on October 25th and combines our city's love of music and art with our vibrantly enthusiastic health community to raise funds and awareness for AthFest Educates, a nonprofit organization dedicated to music and arts education. This year's AthHalf course will be the same route used since 2013, which includes an exciting victory lap around the famous hedges of UGA's Sanford Stadium and a fun-filled finish in the Tate Center parking lot and West Lawn. With pace groups ranging from runners, to joggers, to walkers, this race perfect for anyone- no matter your speed. Even if you don’t want to participate in the race, the AthHalf personnel are always looking for volunteers before, after, and during the race! Feel free to make a weekend out of it by checking out our world-renowned live music scene on Friday and the Fitness Expo on Saturday afternoon. With an outpouring of interest in the race every year, make sure you sign up ASAP in order to secure your spot.
Every year, on the last night of October, The Wild Rumpus Parade and Spectacle takes place here in the heart of Athens and never disappoints. This year the Monster Mash Kids’ Halloween Party for families is the day before on Friday, October 30th at The Foundry. There is mayhem in the streets in the best kind of way, making your Halloween one to remember. The parade marches through the historic downtown district with an outdoor stage show with the Rumpus Band, followed by a gigantic after-party. Whether you want to dress up and be in the parade or enjoy watching from the sidewalks, The Wild Rumpus sets out to amplify the massive display of creativity by the Athens residents while supporting their self-expression in an inviting, and safe environment.
November 2015 Events
The arts at UGA will be spotlighted during a nine-day festival in November when members of the UGA Arts Council will host events and activities that include concerts, theater and dance performances, art exhibitions, poetry readings, author panels and book signings, lectures and discussions on the arts and creativity, and more. The 2015 Spotlight on the Arts festival will bring many events over the multiple days to the Athens area, all of which you will not want to miss.
