Athens, Ohio, is known for its picturesque rolling hills and peaceful, down-to-earth vibes, but don’t let that fool you into thinking this is some sort of sleepy college town.  Athens is full of culture, history and a diverse population who love to celebrate the uniqueness of their home.  From music festivals to county fairs and everything in between, there’s always a reason to celebrate in Athens, Ohio.

 

Ohio Brew Week

Yes, there’s a full week of summer dedicated to beer in Athens – also known as Ohio Brew Week.  Every year in July, beer lovers and brewers from near and far gather in Athens to celebrate and taste some of the region’s best craft beer, ciders and more, all while enjoying Athens’ lively uptown scene.  Brew Week originated two decades ago with the intention to bolster summer business in a college town and make a name for Athens in the craft beer world.  Today, Brew Week participants can enjoy more than 300 varieties of beer (with some of the most creative names and flavors you’ve ever heard!) plus dozens of food vendors and live music throughout the week. 

More info – including an event schedule, beer list and more – can be found at www.ohiobrewweek.com.

 

Nelsonville Music Festival

Athens’ neighboring town of Nelsonville, Ohio, is the setting of the annual Nelsonville Music Festival – a three-day event featuring live music from national, regional and local artists.  Produced by Nelsonville’s historic Stuart’s Opera House, the Nelsonville Music Festival draws crowds of music-lovers and families alike (bonus:  children 12 and under get in free!).   In true music festival fashion, there’s an option to camp on-site so you don’t miss a minute of the action. We love Nelsonville Music Festival for the chance to hang with family and friends, enjoy the summertime weather and experience new and returning artists every year.

To check out this year’s festival dates and lineup, visit www.nelsonvillefest.org.

 

Ohio University Homecoming

Athens, Ohio, is a college town at heart, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t include Ohio University’s Homecoming events in our list.  Whether you’re a current Ohio University student, an alumni or community member, there’s nothing like the hometown spirit and Bobcat pride felt during the Ohio University Homecoming parade and football game, held every year on a Saturday in late September or early October.  We especially love catching the Marching 110 and the alumni band during the parade – they know how to put on a show!

To find out more about Ohio University’s Homecoming events, visit www.ohio.edu/homecoming.

 

Ohio Pawpaw Festival

If you’re not already familiar with the pawpaw – the fruit produced by America’s largest edible native fruit tree – you will be after a trip to the Ohio Pawpaw Festival. For a full weekend in early fall, Pawpaw festivalgoers can enjoy pawpaw-themed food and beverages, live music, kids’ activities, local artisans, presentations, competitions and more.  You name it, they’ve got a pawpaw variation for it.  Pawpaw beer?  Yes.  Pawpaw ice cream?  You bet.  Pawpaw barbeque?  Comin’ right up.  Of course, if you’re not feeling too adventurous with your pawpaw tastings, there are plenty of the traditional local food and drink options on hand.  The Ohio Pawpaw festival has been held at Lake Snowden since 2001, with more and more pawpaw fun added every year.

To check out this year’s festival lineup of events, head to www.ohiopawpawfest.com.

 

Athens County Fair

There’s nothing quite like the county fair in the summertime – the nostalgic games and rides, the fried treats you’ll only find at a fair, the livestock shows, and the plethora of entertainment (like Athens’ famous demolition derby!). The Athens County Fair is a treasured week-long event for local community members and families throughout the region to spend time together and indulge in the last moments of summer.  It’s also the opportunity for local 4-H students to showcase the projects and skills they’ve been working on throughout the year. Each day of the week brings something new, so check out the schedule of events before planning your day at the fair.

Athens County Fair information, schedules and more can be found at www.athenscofair.org.

 

Athens International Film + Video Festival

The Athens International Film + Video Festival (AIFVF) is a great way to experience one of Athens’ historic landmarks – The Athena Cinema – while also enjoying a variety of films and videos from artists across the world.  For more than 50 years, the AIFVF has given filmmakers a platform to showcase their work (and compete for awards!), which include everything from feature-length and short films, to documentaries, music videos, animation and more. The festival prides itself on diversity and inclusivity, meaning you’ll find something for everyone during the week-long lineup of showtimes and events.  So, grab your tickets and your popcorn, and get ready to witness some critically acclaimed, award-winning cinema!

Tickets, showtimes, competition info and more can be found at www.athensfilmfest.org.

 

Athens Halloween Block Party

Perhaps the most infamous of all Athens’ events, the annual Halloween bash in Athens is known nationwide as one of the best. Sure, you’ll find a rowdy crowd of costumed college students taking over Court Street at some point in the night, but before things get too spooky, there’s a chance to enjoy family trick-or-treating, games, a parade and live music. Athens has been putting its own unique spin on Halloween for more than 50 years, making it one of the biggest annual celebrations in town.

More details on Athens’ Halloween Block Party can be found at www.athenshalloween.com.

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These events only scratch the surface of Athens’ vibrant and growing community – you’ll also find special holiday events, art exhibitions, concerts and more throughout the year.  While we once may have been considered Southeast Ohio’s best kept secret, Athens is gaining more and more recognition every year as a town that knows how to have fun.