AthFest 2016

AthFest 2016

June 22-26

AthFest is an annual 3 day festival in downtown Athens, benefiting Athfest Educates. This 3 day event features local live music, art, film screenings and KidsFest and is sure to offer something for everyone.

Athfest Educates offers high-quality music and arts education for local youth and the Athens community through direct support of school and community-based programs and events. To date, nearly $235,000 in grants have been given throughout the Athens community. All fourteen Clarke County School District elementary schools and its four middle schools have been recipients of their grants.

This year, they are partnering with Four Athens to offer 3-hour coding classes during AthFest for youth ages 8 – 15 that introduce youth to the intersection of coding, music, and the arts.  

AthFest is a music and arts festival that attracts large crowds and lots of music! Three stages in different areas of downtown allow multiple bands to perform. And when the free outdoor music ends, 10 participating venues feature more bands and entertainment through the Club Crawl.  One of the many featured bands in 2016 includes Arrested Development, the first-ever hip-hop artist to receive the “best new artist” Grammy.

The art festival features fine arts and crafts for sale. Exhibited work may include visual arts (painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, and digital art), fabric, clothing and accessories, jewelry, and handcrafted items (sculpture, ceramics, glass, woodworking and furniture).

You can see the music schedule here and the Club Crawl schedule here. Be sure to check out the lively atmosphere, arts festival and multiple options for music during this 3 days event.

Also sponsored by AthFest Educate is the annual AthHalf, a half marathon on October 8-9. The course runs through historic districts, UGA campus and the downtown area. Even if you’re not a runner, it’s a great way to spend a beautiful fall weekend in Athens.