Athens Holiday Guide

Avery Roark, Section Editor
December 12, 2022

The holiday season is upon us! These treasured times should be spent with friends & family to enjoy the things you love- maybe that’s decorating cookies, listening to music, or cooking a holiday meal together. If you’re looking for some things to do around Athens this season, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best ones you should check out! 

 

  • Ice skating:
    • The Classic Center offers ice skating through February
      • Here is the December Calendar to buy tickets 
      • This one’s a favorite of Editor Adelaide Ellis, and she says that “it’s so fun, and it’s always something everyone enjoys to do, whether you’re an expert ice-skater or not.”
  • Botanical Garden Winter Wonderlights:
    • UGA transforms the Georgia State Botanical Gardens into a magical walk-thru light show (Link) 
  • Concerts:
    • Athens Symphony Christmas Concert @ The Classic Center
      • A variety of classic Christmas songs
      • Tickets are FREE and the dates are December 10 & 11
      • The Classic Center in Downtown Athens hosts a variety of events (the list can be found here, use the arrow to slide for more)
        • Some of the other artists/groups they’ll be featuring in concert include Zach Williams, Black Violin, John Berry, & the Million Dollar Quartet
    • Holiday Concert @ UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music
      • December 1 & 2
    • The Good Grief Trio:
      • Performs the Charlie Brown’s Christmas Album @ Hendershots (a local coffee shop, bar, and music venue)
      • December 15-17
      • Tickets are going quick, so buy one soon if you want to see them!
  • The Nutcracker:
    • A classic Holiday Show, the dates are December 22 & 23
    • Performed by the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine
    • Sophomore Rachel Wicker loves seeing the Nutcracker annually and says, “There are beautiful costumes, and it’s a very fun thing.”
  • Holiday Markets:
  • Parades:
    • Athens Parade of Lights
      • The parade goes through downtown Athens
      • December 1
    • Watkinsville Christmas Parade
      • December 4
  • Santa visits:
    • Breakfast with Santa @ The Classic Center
      • An opportunity to take a picture with Santa as well as Buddy the Elf
      • Also includes a breakfast buffet and activities
    • Georgia Square Mall
    • Athens Country Club
  • UGA Hockey:
    • Watch the UGA Ice Dawgs @ The Classic Center
    • Click here to see the dates and buy tickets
  • Holiday Light Display in Oconee:
    • Private home with a decorated yard for Christmas, but open to the public
    • More than just driving by, they encourage you to park and walk through their yard display
    • Located at 1360 Cole Springs Road
    • Features lots of Christmas decorations, visits with Santa, hot cocoa, interactive North Pole village for kids to write letters to Santa, etc.
  • Local Tree Farms:
  • Hot chocolate:
    • My personal favorite place in Athens to get Hot Cocoa is Condor Chocolates
      • They have two locations- one in Five Points and one in downtown Athens
      • Condor also sells a bunch of holiday items that are perfect for gifts, such a peppermint barks, truffles, and more

I hope this list is helpful for y’all that are interested in finding some fun, seasonal things to do around Athens. Enjoy the time off!