ATHENS, Ga. (March 6, 2018) - There is an abundance of festivals and celebrations in the Classic City. Celebrate spring by attending some of the many festivals that Athens, Georgia has to offer!
March 2018 Events
March 24, 2018:
FLUKE is a mini-comic festival that has been organized by Athens-area comic artists, underground publishers and their enthusiasts since 2002. Conceived as a venue for the discussion and exchange of timely ideas related to mini-comics, zines and other independent publications, FLUKE is not a large comic convention or merchandising-saturated extravaganza, instead focusing on work and ideas rather than merchandising. The festival is held at the 40 Watt and has no admission charge. For more information, please visit flukeisawesome.blogspot.com.
March 24-28, 2018:
The Athens Jewish Film Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The festival brings quality Jewish films to Athens, Ga., through an annual festival and year-round events. 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. Admission prices start at $7.50. For more information, please visit athensjff.org.
April 2018 Events
April 7, 2018:
This weekend features two different festivals at the same time. Take a trip around the world, right in the heart of downtown Athens with the UGA International Street Festival. Boasting a yearly attendance of 3,000 - 5,000 and dozens of UGA international student and community organizations sponsoring the event, this festival has been an Athens favorite for more than 30 years! The festival is held at College Square in downtown Athens and has no admission charge. For more information, please visit https://isl.uga.edu/content_page/international-street-festival-content-page.
This weekend also boasts the First Annual Eastside Athens Spring Fling. The event will include live music, food trucks, activities for children, yoga, BMX bike and skateboard demonstrations, beer tent and Eastside Business Expo. The event will be held at Southeast Clarke Park and has no admission charge. For more information, please visit athensspringfling.com.
April 9-15, 2018:
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 23rd Annual Classic City Brew Fest on April 15, 2018. Festivities include brewery tours, 55 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 14, 2018:
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, the Trial Gardens at UGA and the UGA Horticulture Club. For more information, please visit botgarden.uga.edu/event/plantapalooza-three-plant-sales-one/.
April 21, 2018:
The Piedmont Gardeners 25th Annual Garden Tour is an incredible opportunity to explore five inspiring gardens, including legendary UGA football coach Vince and Barbara Dooley’s garden, and other notable Athenian gardens in historic neighborhoods. It is the perfect way to spend an afternoon and get outdoors to explore these hidden gems. The event will be hosted rain or shine and all proceeds go towards a scholarship fund for UGA students studying horticulture or other related fields. Tickets start at $15. For a map of this year’s gardens, purchase tickets and find more information, please visit piedmontgardeners.org/.
Longing for fall days between the hedges? Cheer on the SEC Champions and get an exclusive look at the #1 recruiting class at G-Day, the UGA Spring Football Game. Whether you are cheering for red or black, Dawgs win! There is no admission charge. For more information, please see the 2018 Georgia Football Schedule.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018 with a calendar full of events. For their Spring Celebration, they will be offering free hourly garden tours, a ballet dance performance on the Flower Garden Stage, Master Gardeners on hand to answer questions, a large selection of plants in the gift shop and two art exhibits. For more information, please visit botgarden.uga.edu/event/spring-celebration.
April 27-28, 2018:
The Twilight Criterium, now in its 38th 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. For more information, please visit athenstwilight.wpengine.com.
May 2018 Events
May 5-6, 2018:
For 40 years, the 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 athenshumanrightsfest.org.
As you can see, Athens needs no excuse to get a few people together and make it a festival. Experience Athens the right way, whether exploring other cultures or enjoying some local tunes at one of the many Athens, Georgia spring festivals. Visit VisitAthensGA.com/spring to start your preparations for a perfect spring weekend getaway.
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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 $292.30 million in spending, 2,740 jobs and $20.17 million in local and state tax revenue in 2016.
Athens Travel Information:
The Athens Welcome Center at 280 E. Dougherty Street is open daily to provide maps, brochures, self-guided tours and visitor information. Guided bus tours of historic Athens depart daily from the Welcome Center at 2 p.m. Information on the Athens Welcome Center can be found at www.AthensWelcomeCenter.com.
The Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau offers a wealth of official visitor information at www.VisitAthensGA.com. More information on Athens, Georgia is available at 706-357-4430 and tourinfo@visitathensga.com.
