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Happy Holly-Days in Athens, Georgia
Holiday Events and Happenings
Athens, Georgia- October 22, 2012 - The holiday season in Athens, Georgia offers opportunity for endless celebration! Visitors can enjoy festive heritage events, artist markets for one-of-a-kind gifts and as always in Athens, live music.
The Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights ushers in the holiday season in Athens. On December 6th, over 60 floats, bands and groups will wind through downtown streets awash in twinkling lights. The parade begins on the corner of Dougherty and Pulaski Streets at 7 p.m. and ends in front of City Hall. The traditional tree lighting ceremony hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus will follow. Downtown retailers will have great deals and extended hours for visitors. More information is available at 706-613-3620.
The Holiday Spirits Museum Mile Tour on December 8th transports participants to Christmases past in Athens. The 4th edition of the tour includes guided tours of the four house museums, enhanced by professional theatrical vignettes, period music and seasonal refreshments. This year, a newly-created vignette at the Ware-Lyndon House focuses on Dr. Lyndon and the Lyndon family's beloved slave companion "Uncle Peter." The two-hour tours depart from the Lyndon House Arts Center at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. This festive tour offers guests an evening of theater, music and delicious fun, along with the opportunity learn history from professional tour guides. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under, and are available through the Athens Welcome Center at 706-353-1820.
Athens is well-known for its art scene, making holiday artist markets and special events the perfect opportunity to find one-of-a-kind gifts. The Athens Artist Market-Handmade for the Holidays welcomes 75 local artisans to The Classic Center on December 8th and 9th from noon to 8 p.m. and will feature a wide variety of gifts from jewelry to pottery and skin care to paintings. For more information, call 706-410-6946. On December 8, the Indie South Fair (formerly Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa) brings an eclectic selection of emerging artists and crafters from the South and beyond to downtown Athens. More information is available at www.indiesouthfair.com. Additional artist markets will be posted at www.VisitAthensGA.com.
The TubaChristmas concert on December 7th features tuba and euphonium players from Athens and the surrounding area. The concert will be held outside The Classic Center on Thomas Street at 11:30 a.m. The idea for TubaChristmas was conceived at Rockefeller Plaza's Ice Rink as a tribute to artist/teacher William J. Bell and his Christmas birthday, according to the TubaChristmas website. More information is available at www.tubachristmas.com.
Looking forward to New Years Eve? A getaway to Athens is the right choice to ring in the New Year. The world-renowned 40 Watt Club and Georgia Theatre will have great headliners booked, and the Foundry Park Inn & Spa and Hotel Indigo are again offering hotel packages complete with more live music.
The Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau is an excellent resource for planning a holiday getaway to Athens, Georgia. More information about these events, other holiday-themed activities, special offers, hotel recommendations and other travel resources is available at www.VisitAthensGA.com or by calling 706-357-4430. | 
