Events
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calendars & schedules

Flagpole Events Calendar
Flagpole Magazine's weekly guide to what's happening in Athens. Covers events, music, theatre, classes, meetings, kidstuff and more.

Athens Georgia Events Calendar
The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau provides an extensive calendar of upcoming events in Athens.

University of Georgia Master Calendar
Upcoming performances, lectures, exhibits, athletic events, and more along with links to academic and holiday calendars.

Red and Black Event Calendar
Event calendar provided by The Red and Black, an independent student newspaper serving the University of Georgia community.

ACC Leisure Services Program Guide
A schedule of events held at facilities of the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department including Lyndon House Arts Center, the Morton Theatre, Sandy Creek Nature Center, area parks, and more.

Athens Parent Online Calendar
Community events of interest to parents and kids.

Macaroni Kid Athens Event Calendar
A calendar of family-friendly events and activities happening in Athens.

Summer Camps
A guide to Athens-area summer camps for dance, theatre, art, gymnastics, volleyball, martial arts, soccer, golf and more, provided by Athens Parent.

Athens-Clarke County Government Calendar
A schedule of upcoming government meetings and other events.

weekly / monthly events

ACC Federation of Neighborhoods
An independent, non-partisan volunteer organization providing public forums to inform citizens and neighborhood groups about local community issues that affect them.

Athens Farmers Market
An organization of local farmers, craftspeople, and volunteers working to make locally grown food and sustainably produced food and crafts available in Athens. Markets on Saturdays at Bishop Park and Wednesdays at Creature Comforts Brewing Coompany, April through December.

Athens Science Café
Sharing a love of science with the Classic City. Offers meetings held in places such as coffee houses, pubs and community centers where everyday people come together and learn about a variety of topics from professional scientists.

Athens Word of Mouth
Open poetry reading on the first Wednesday of every month at The Globe.

Indie South Fair Pop-Up
A year round and recurring event on the 3rd Sunday of the month at BROAD 9A featuring artists, makers, and craftsmen from the Athens area.

New Town Revue
New Town Revue is a reading and music series showcasing Athens literary and music talent: fiction, poetry, essays, storytelling, and songwriting.

Rabbit Box Storytelling
Provides a monthly storytelling series for the Athens area that offers an inclusive forum for people in the community to tell true-life stories.

Sunday Center Market
Located in The Classic Center’s 440 Foundry Pavilion, Sunday Center Market features artists, farmers, crafters, food trucks, live music, kids activities and more, each Sunday from May through October.

Sunflower Concert Series
Features outdoor concerts during the months of June through September at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

Third Thursday
A monthly evening of visual art in Athens every third Thursday, 6–9 p.m.

West Broad Farmers Market & Garden
A community-driven, education-oriented, weekly farmers market that supports local economic development & community wellness. The market features locally produced fruits, veggies, dairy, baked goods, and crafts. Open every Saturday 10am-2pm, with a produce stand every Tuesday 4pm-7pm, from May to December.

annual events


JANUARY

AthCon
An annual convention that celebrates popular culture focusing on Star Wars, Anime, Comics, and Gaming.

Athens Wine Weekend
Showcases hundreds of wines from around the world. The event is a benefit for The Classic Center Cultural Foundation, which helps provide performing and culinary arts scholarships for high school and college students and supports performing and visual arts programs.

Chess and Community Conference
An annual youth chess tournament held in Athens, Georgia.

Green Life Expo
A community-wide public expo of green concepts and environmentally responsible living ideas for families, homes, and businesses. Discover ways to reduce your carbon footprint and save money by implementing more earth-friendly practices in everyday life.

MLK Day of Service
The Athens MLK Day of Service offers opportunities to "make it a day on not a day off" by participating in a variety of community service projects.



FEBRUARY

adDRESS a Need Designer's Challenge & Top Model Competition
A one of a kind fashion challenge that was inspired by Project Runway.

Animal Voices Film Festival
A film festival that explores human relationships with other species and promotes a more compassionate and humane world for animals.

Big Hearts
Extra Special People brings together members of the community with the children and families it serves for one special night to shine a spotlight on the abilities of some of our community’s most big-hearted individuals, while leaving their disabilities in the wings.

Polar Bear PlungeFest
Jump into the frigid water of Lake Chapman at Sandy Creek Park as part of this annual fundraiser sponsored by the Athens Rotary Club.

A Taste of Athens
A benefit for Community Connection of Northeast Georgia. Features the cuisine of local restaurants and caterers along with a silent auction.

Vagina Monologues
Project Safe’s annual production of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play The Vagina Monologues supports their mission to end domestic violence.



MARCH

Athens Hip Hop Awards
Celebrating hip hop music and culture in Athens with an award ceremony, live perfomances, celebrity guest appearances, and more.

Athens Jewish Film Festival
An annual weekend of films and discussions to celebrate American and international films of Jewish interest.

Athens Kids Expo
Features products and services for toddlers to young teens, along with entertainment and games. The Kids Expo benefits Wee Read, a program of United Way of Northeast Georgia to increase literacy.

Athens Restaurant Week
A week-long celebration of local cuisine, area restaurant owners, and the uniqueness of Athens establishments that have helped put the Classic City on the culinary map.

Bargainza
"Athens' Giant Thrift Sale" is an annual fundraiser presented by the Junior League of Athens.

Bulldog Inn Annual Art Show
A one night event that serves as a venue for experimentation and alternative art void of the restrictions and expectations from the typical gallery setting, featuring a variety of works ranging from installations to performances and beyond.

Dawg Trot 5K Run/Walk
The UGA Alumni Association sponsors Athens' largest annual 5K event.

EcoFocus Film Festival
EcoFocus showcases world-class environmental films along with panels featuring experts, filmmakers, artists, and special guests. The festival aims to promote discussion and to inspire audiences into awareness and action on behalf of the environment.

National Gymnastics Challenge
A multi-event weekend featuring all levels of women's gymnastics.

Nicholas Pope Memorial Golf Tournament
A charity golf tournament sponsored by Extra Special People.

Slingshot Festival
Spread over 4 city blocks and dozens of venues, Slingshot spotlights international, national, and local music acts on stage, boundary pushing artworks, and a tech conference with leading innovators.



APRIL

Athens Beer Week
An exciting week of spring beer events featuring tours of local breweries, beer dinners, craft beer celebrations, special tappings and more.

Athens Job Fair & Career Expo
Job seekers of all ages, experience levels, and industries are encouraged to attend. Employers will be looking to fill full-time, part-time, and internship positions. Free and open to the public.

Boybutante Ball
This annual ball and stage show is northeast Georgia's largest fundraiser for AIDS support services.

Classic City Brew-Fest
The longest-running indoor beer festival in the Southeast offers samples of over 200 handcrafted beers from around the world. Benefits local charities.

Dancing with the Athens Stars
The event pairs notable Athenians with local dance instructors in a competition to raise money for Project Safe, an anti-domestic violence agency that serves Clarke and Oconee counties.

FLUKE Mini-Comics & Zine Festival
A mini-comic festival organized by Athens-area comic artists, underground publishers, and enthusiasts as a venue for the discussion and exchange of timely ideas related to mini-comics, zines, and independent publications.

Greenfest
Greenfest is an annual community-wide celebration of environmental awareness featuring programs and events focusing on nature and community improvement.

International Street Festival
Created by the International Student Organizations at UGA, this festival brings together a community of all nations and cultures to promote international cultural awareness to the Athens community. Features cultural displays, traditional costumes, dances, music, and more.

Piedmont Gardeners Tour
The annual garden tour has been presented by the Piedmont Gardeners since 1992, and features an inside look at the Athens area's most inspired private gardens. Visitors will see a variety of garden styles, structures, and plant collections and will be able to talk with the gardeners.

Relay For Life
An event that raises funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Participants take turns walking or running around a track to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

Twilight Criterium
Features nationally recognized professional bicycle racing , live music, workshops, and other events held throughout downtown Athens. Offers eight separate race classes and 150 cyclists competing in the main event, the men's criterium, a 60-km night race around downtown Athens.



MAY

Athens Business Rocks
Ever wondered what would happen if you got together with your co-workers and formed a band? Well, here's your chance to find out! A competition and fundraiser benefit for Nuçi's Space.

Athens Human Rights Festival
Brings together political activists, musicians, and artists to share information about human rights issues across our nation and around the world. Offers a wide range of featured speakers, local music, and more.

Classic City Chalk Fest
Watch as local professional artists create works in chalk and draw your own chalk masterpiece in Athens' chalk-drawing festival.

Gardens of the World Ball
An annual fundraising event sponsored by the Board of Advisors of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Each year the Ball celebrates the flora and cultural history of a different country, featuring extravagant sets, floral decorations and table settings, along with live music and dancing.

Indie South Fair Springtacular
A curated open-air market that brings together artists, designers, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase their work in a festive atmosphere that includes music, artisanal food and drink, and kids craft activities. Held biannually in May and December.

The Jump, Fly Festival
A day-long skydiving event that raises funds for Extra Special People summer camp for children with developmental disabilities.

Ripple Effect Film Project
Filmmakers of all ages and levels of experience create original short films about water conservation and water stewardship.

St. Mary’s Foundation Golf Tournament
A golf tournament benefiting St. Mary’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, Hospice and Palliative Care Services.

Winterville Marigold Festival
Each year the festival features juried arts and crafts, barbecue and other food vendors, live music and entertainment in the park, the Marigold 10K, a parade, and other events.



JUNE

AthFest :: The Athens, GA Music and Arts Festival
Annual music and arts summer festival in downtown Athens with over 150 local and regional bands playing outdoor stages and downtown clubs. Features an artists market, film screenings, a KidsFest, music business seminars, and more. The event kicks off each year with the Flagpole Athens Music Awards at the Morton Theatre.

Clute Barrow Nelson Life Foundation Annual Golf Classic
A fundraiser for a non-profit charitable organization established to help children with cancer by providing financial assistance to families in need.

Dogwood Classic Golf Tournament
A golf tournament benefiting the Athens Regional Foundation.

Hack For Athens
Provide an opportunity for web and software developers, designers, community organizers, and other citizens to gather and work together to tackle local challenges with technology to improve our society.



JULY

Sprockets International Music Video Festival
The longest running film festival exlusively for music videos in the world.

Stories From Childhood: From A Tiny Acorn
A six-week series exploring the childhoods of prominent Athenians.



AUGUST

Art Rocks Athens
Art Rocks Athens celebrates the interaction and interplay of pop art and rock that made Athens, Georgia famous with annual exhibitions of art, film, and photography along with musical performances.

Athens Popfest
An annual gathering of music fans, artists, travelers, and locals featuring over 50 artists performing during the four days of the festival.

Athens Area Maternity and Baby Fair
A free event for everyone with a baby or young child in their life now or in the future. Educational sessions, health institutions, and social service agencies provide an opportunity to learn about maternal and child community resources.

Groovy Nights
A flashback to the 1970s featuring food, music, raffles, and a silent auction. All proceeds support the ongoing mission of Project Safe to eliminate domestic violence.

Keepin' It Clean Dirty Dance Benefit
A dance party that raises funds in support of Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful and their mission to create a cleaner, more beautiful environment

Spirited Spelling Spectacular
A spelling bee fundraiser sponsored by the Athens-Clarke Literacy Council to raise money for and awareness of literacy issues.

Stories From Childhood: From A Tiny Acorn
A six-week series exploring the childhoods of prominent Athenians.



SEPTEMBER

Athens PRIDE Week
Athens PRIDE Week is designed to celebrate diversity, promote self-affirmation, increase visibility, and inspire unity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and straight ally community.

Athens Water Festival
A celebration of water with activities and fun for the whole family.

Teardrop Century Bike Ride
A day of cycling while raising awareness and funds to help the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens provide emergency shelter and vital services for homeless families with children in Northeast Georgia.



OCTOBER

AthHalf: Athens GA Half Marathon
A race winding through downtown Athens and several diverse historic neighborhoods. Proceeds benefit music and arts education programs for young people in grades K – 5.

Athens Halloween Ball
The Athens Halloween Ball at the Classic Center is a benefit for the UGA Hockey Foundation.

Athens Intensified
A hand-curated, artist-driven music event in and for the city of Athens GA with a wide scope of musical tastes.

Autumn Harvest Feast
Share a family style Sunday dinner, music, and silent auction with your favorite local farmers, artisans, and chefs to celebrate the Autumn harvest. Local chefs will prepare locally produced ingredients sourced from the Athens Farmers Market for a meal benefiting Wholesome Wave Georgia.

Clarke Oconee Heart Walk
A 5K walk sponsored by the American Heart Association to raise funds for heart disease and stroke research and education.

Classic City Fringe Festival
A live performance and art festival showcasing artists working outside traditional forms and structures. Features cutting-edge indie 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.

Community Tree Fair
The annual event includes a tree climbing demonstration, exhibit booths, kids booths, tree care demonstrations and more. A wide variety of tree species native to North Georgia are available for purchase.

Harvest Festival
A celebration of old time crafts and rural life gives participants of all ages a way to learn about some of Georgia’s historical traditions and crafts first hand, with live demonstrations of quilting, woodworking, pottery, spinning, weaving, soap making, and bee keeping, plus old time music and dancing.

Harvest Moon Dinner
A farm-to-table dinner in a beautiful setting that supports the work and mission of the Athens Land Trust while celebrating the local environment.

In Their Shoes
A 13 mile one-day walk recognizing and honoring women who have lived through breast cancer. All proceeds from the walk support the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support through the Athens Regional Foundation.

Jittery Joe’s Ride, Rock & Run
Combines metric century and half century bike rides, a 5K and a benefit concert for a full day of family friendly outdoor fun. Proceeds benefit the mission of the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity.

Lickskillet Artists Market
An annual festival featuring local art vendors, artist demonstrations, live music performances, food vendors, and children's activities.

North Georgia Folk Festival
Features music styles traditional to the North Georgia region such as bluegrass, blues, and old time music along with traditional crafts.

Rivers Alive
An annual event where hundreds of volunteers come together to clean and protect our local rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands.

St. Mary's Annual Gala
An event hosted by St. Mary’s Foundation benefiting St. Mary’s Children’s Services.

Walk to End Alzheimer's
An annual event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

The Wild Rumpus
A Halloween Parade and Spectacle channeling the creative spirit of Athens into an inventive mix of fun, creativity, and revelry for all.



NOVEMBER

Athens Free to Breathe Run/Walk
An opportunity for the community to come together to raise awareness and support to help lung cancer patients and their families.

Cause + Effect Progressive Film Competition and Festival
Aims to bring important Georgia issues into focus through film while encouraging younger Georgians to identify problems facing our state and propose policy-based and community-oriented solutions.

Harvest for the Homeless
Join the Athens community for an evening of celebration and support benefiting the mission of the Athens Area Homeless Shelter.

Spotlight on the Arts at UGA
Each year, the Spotlight on the Arts festival shines a light on the breadth and the quality of arts programming at the University of Georgia, with dozens of events offering something for everyone.



DECEMBER

Downtown Parade of Lights
The annual parade ushers in the holiday season with over sixty floats, bands, and other groups parading through downtown streets. Sponsored by ACC Leisure Services.

Indie South Fair Holiday Market
A curated open-air market that brings together artists, designers, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase their work in a festive atmosphere that includes music, artisanal food and drink, and kids craft activities. Held biannually in May and December.

Stomp Out Domestic Violence
An annual step show benefiting Project Safe and its programs to stop domestic violence.