ATHENS, GA (February 26, 2019) Athens is debuting new events and attractions as well as bringing back old favorites, making it one of Georgia’s best getaways this spring. The first-ever Athens Burger Week, March 25-31, features over 20 restaurants serving specialty burgers for just $5 each. The expansive and immersive Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden will open to the public on March 23. The craft beer scene gets a full week of fun April 1-7 and the Twilight Criterium celebrates its 40th anniversary April 26-27 as one of America’s top professional cycling events with the addition of a free outdoor music stage. Every weekend in Athens this spring will feature annual events and festivals worth a trip.
March 2019
March 9, 2019
The Alter Ego Carnival is a variety show style event where contestants highlight their unique personalities and talents while challenging the stigma around mental illness and raising funds for mental health care. Admission includes two complimentary drinks, heavy appetizers, a chance to win raffle baskets, entertainment and art from Alter Ego Contestants! More information is available at https://www.samaritannega.org/product/aetix/.
March 23, 2019
The grand opening of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia's new Alice H.Richards Children's Garden will be a destination for children to learn more about Georgia’s natural resources as they plant, climb and explore the two-and-a-half-acre land. From climbing walls, to the fossils of a mastodon—the ancient ancestor of the mammoth—to musical instruments resembling mushrooms, the children’s garden will teleport children into a whimsical world where nature inspires and delights. More information is available at http://botgarden.uga.edu/event/richards-childrens-garden-opening/.
March 22 - 23, 2019
The UGA Alumni Association hosts UGA Alumni Weekend to give former students the chance to re-live the college years. The weekend begins with dinner with UGA President Jere W. Morehead, then the next day , class is in session with some of UGA's favorite faculty members. Other highlights include: a musical performance, TEDxUGA and much more. More information is available at https://alumni.uga.edu/weekend/.
March 23 – 27, 2019
The Athens Jewish Film Festival celebrates its 11th anniversary this year. The festival includes a variety of feature films, shorts and documentaries. Festival programming includes discussions with visiting filmmakers and academics, as well as a short film competition for emerging filmmakers. The festival is held at Ciné and the Georgia Museum of Art. More information is available at https://athensjff.org/.
March 25 – 31, 2019
Athens Burger Week is bringing delicious goodness to Athens in the form of $5 specially made burgers for visitors to enjoy. Visitors will hit the streets with the Burger Week Passport and find the best burger in Athens. If a passport has 5 or more stamps on the before the end of the week, visitors can mail it in for a chance to win prizes. Athens Burger Week is presented by The Georgia Beef Board. More information is available at https://www.athensburgerweek.com/.
March 30, 2019
FLUKE is a mini-comic festival that has been organized by Athens-area comic artists, underground publishers and their enthusiasts since 2002. FLUKE is not a merchandising-saturated extravaganza, but a venue for the discussion and exchange of timely ideas related to mini-comics, zines, and other independent publications. The festival is held at the 40-Watt and there is no admission. More information is available at http://flukeisawesome.blogspot.com/.
April
April 1 - 7, 2019
Athens Beer Week is an exciting week of beer events to celebrate and support local craft beer. A full week of activities that culminates with the 24th Annual Classic City Brew Fest on April 7. Festivities include brewery tours, 50 plus unique one-off cask ales, rare beers uncapped each hour, live music, food trucks and local craft beer celebrities. No wonder it was voted one of the USA’s Top Beer Festivals by 10Best and USA Today! Athens Beer Week is held at multiple locations throughout Athens and the Classic City Brew Fest is held at Athens Cotton Press. Tickets for the Classic City Brew Fest are only $43.50 and sell out quickly, so get yours today! For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.classiccitybrew.com/brewfest.html.
April 13, 2019
The Firefly Trail .5K and Funfest is a whole day of races, food trucks, family fun activities, art, music, vendors and more. All proceeds will go toward the completion of the Firefly Trail, multi-purpose path for pedestrian, bicycle, and other non-motorized uses that will eventually stretch 39 - miles from Athens to Union Point, GA.
April 13, 2019
Plantapalooza is the ultimate stop for gardening enthusiasts and novices alike. Participants can purchase a vast assortment of plants at three separate locations, featuring both local favorites and difficult-to-find plants. Horticulturalists and master gardeners will be available to help with plant selection and to answer gardening questions. Plantapalooza will take place at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, the Trial Gardens at UGA and the UGA Horticulture Club. For more information, please visit http://botgarden.uga.edu/event/plantapalooza-three-plant-sales-one/.
April 20, 2019
The G-Day game gives football fans visitors a first look at the new Georgia Bulldog players. Visitors can root for the Red or Black team in this fun tradition ! This game gives visitors a first-look at the new Bulldog players and decide where the returning players stand. More information available at https://alumni.uga.edu/event/2019-g-day-game/.
April 26 -27, 2019
The Athens Twilight Criterium, now in its 40th year, attracts 150 eager cyclists from around the world and is a top stop on the national cycling tour circuit! As a fan favorite for its unique evening format in downtown Athens, large, energetic crowds are sure to gather. Not only will bikers be able to test their stamina and find the challenge they seek, but various races and kid-friendly events will keep supporters, families and racers entertained. This year an outdoor music stage with free performances will occur on Friday. For more information, please visit https://athenstwilight.wpengine.com/.
May
May 4 -5, 2019
For more than 40 years, the Athens Human Rights Festival has brought speakers from local, national and global organizations together at Downtown’s College Square to discuss popular issues. The weekend will feature live music, informational booths and youth performances. There is no admission charge. For more information, please visit http://www.athenshumanrightsfest.org/.
From breakneck speed cycling through the streets of downtown Athens to celebrating a fun day in the garden with the kids, Athens has a full slate of events and festivals for spring, making it the perfect getaway this spring.
The Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau provides complete travel planning information, including events, itineraries and special offers at VisitAthensGA.com.
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About The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau is a proactive sales and marketing organization whose primary goal is to increase the economic impact of the hospitality and visitor industry by attracting individual visitors, group tours and meetings and conventions to Athens. Tourism WORKS for Athens, contributing $310.17 million in spending, 2,872 jobs and $21.24 million in local and state tax revenue in 2017.
