Celebrate and Support Athens this Holiday Season

This winter it’s more important than ever to Keep the Cheer Here by supporting the local businesses who support the area where you live, work, and play. For every $100 spent at a local business, $67 stays in Athens, so join us in spreading holiday cheer to your neighbors, family, and friends by shopping local!

As you hunt for unique gifts, plan your holiday party, or design the perfect charcuterie board for your guests this holiday season, Keep the Cheer Here and spend your dollars locally. You’ll end up with one-of-a-kind gifts and experiences found only in Athens, and you’ll be supporting our community at the same time.

If you need some gift ideas or want to see some deals, check out our 2023 Athens Area Gift Guide, which features ads from over 50 local businesses! This year, the Gift Guide also includes an entry link to the 2023 Athens Area Gift Guide GIVEAWAY.

 


2023 AACC Uptown for the Holidays Hours and Activities

Enjoy these FREE holiday activities with your family Thursdays and Saturdays in December during the specific dates and times listed. Activities are provided by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, the Athens Uptown Business Association, the City of Athens, and our local Chamber members.

AACC Uptown for the Holidays Hours

Thursdays | Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Saturdays | Dec. 9, Dec. 16, & Dec. 23 | 11:00am – 1:00pm

 

Shop Local Yeti Surprise

Keeping the cheer here and spending your money in the Athens area this holiday season is so important for our community, so, if we spot you shopping locally during the AACC Uptown for the Holidays hours, the Shop Local Yeti might surprise YOU with a $25 Athens Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificate!

For full rules and details, visit www.athenschamber.com/shop-local-yeti-surprise

 

 

Selfies with Santa in Santa’s Workshop

The big man himself will be popping into town to get things done in his workshop, and while he is hard at work he will have his window open to say hi and take pictures with you throughout the month of December. Stop by and tell him what you want for Christmas or take a selfie with him at Santa’s Workshop (located at the corner of Court and Washington St.) during the following dates and times:

Tree Lighting Night: Friday, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, December 8th

Thursdays: 5:00 – 7:00 PM; December 14th & December 21st

Saturdays: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM; December 9th, December 16th & December 23rd

 

Horse-drawn Wagon Rides

We are lucky to once again have Hutchison Horse-Drawn Wagon and Carriage Service giving horse-drawn wagon rides around Uptown Athens during the following times and dates. Wagon rides start and finish at the corner of Court and Washington Street.

Tree Lighting Night: Friday, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, December 8th

Thursdays: 5:00 – 7:00 PM; December 14th & December 21st

Saturdays: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM; December 9th, December 16th & December 23rd

 

Musical Performances

Enjoy a soundtrack of holiday music performed live at Santa’s Corner on the following days:

Friday, December 8th, 6:00-7:00pm, Federal Hocking Holiday Brass Band

Thursday, December 14th , 6:00-7:00pm, Alexander School Choir

Saturday, December 16th , 12:00pm – ?, Community Sing Along Cancelled

Due to illness in our small Chamber staff, the Community Sing Along is cancelled.

 

Community Tree

Near the courthouse, you and your family can visit the Community Tree, which was provided by the City of Athens and decorated by Passion Works. This delightfully colorful tree is quintessentially Athens and makes a great photo op!

 

Santa Mailbox

Bring a letter to drop in the mailbox and on the side of Santa’s Workshop and Santa will write back.

LAST DAY TO LEAVE A LETTER IS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16TH!

 

Free Parking

Thanks to the City of Athens, it’s easier than ever to get Uptown to enjoy the holidays since parking is FREE during the AACC Uptown for the Holidays Hours!

Where:

Athens Parking Garage, Level 2 and up

When:

Tree Lighting Ceremony Night (Friday, Dec. 8) after 5PM;

Thursdays after 5PM: December 14th and December 21st

All day on the following Saturdays: December 9th , December 16th, and December 23rd


AACC Uptown for the Holidays and COmmunity Tre

We had an wonderful Community Tree Lighting and AACC Uptown for the Holidays Opening Night Celebration on Friday, December 8th! This year the Opening Night of AACC Uptown for the Holidays showed participation from

We were thrilled to see all of the families and community members who came out to enjoy the warm weather and holiday festivities. The Federal Hocking Brass Band put on a fun and festive show for everyone, and the lines were long for a chance to ride on the horse-drawn wagons (thank you to Jon Hutchison and his team!). And the night was made even more livelier and fun by our amazing Chamber Members who generously donated supplies (while they lasted — what a great turnout we had!) for free holiday activities for everyone: Kismet; Parks Place; Brookfield Church; Keith Chapman Jeweler; Athena Cinema and Visit Athens County; Bagel Street Deli; Brenen’s Coffee Café; Cross Court; and Little Professor.

Thank you as well to the Chamber Members who sponsored the horse-drawn wagon rides for the community to enjoy: College Bookstore, Hickory Creek of Athens, Hocking Valley Bank, Kismet, OUCU Financial, Keystone’s Mac Shack, Merchant’s National Bank, VSWC Architects, and Visit Athens County.

If you missed Opening Night, don’t worry – AACC Uptown for the Holidays activities happen Thursdays and Saturdays in December during the specific dates and times listed below. During those times, you can visit with Santa in his workshop, enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, and other holiday festivities like the Shop Local Yeti Surprise. For more details, visit the Chamber’s Holidays event page. Activities are provided by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, the Athens Uptown Business Association, the City of Athens, and our local Chamber members.

AACC Uptown for the Holidays Hours

Thursdays | Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Saturdays | Dec. 9, Dec. 16, & Dec. 23 | 11:00am – 1:00pm

 

Check out some special moments from Opening Night:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 


Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors, who are helping to make the AACC Uptown for the Holidays magical for the whole Athens community! And thank you to Les Cornwell and Cornwell Properties for decorating all of Uptown Athens.

Horse-drawn Wagon Ride Sponsors

 

Opening Night Wagon Ride Sponsor

Opening Night Wagon Ride Sponsor: Visit Athens County

 

Community Tree Sponsor:

Community Tree Sponsor: City of Athens, OH

 


Moments from the 2022 Uptown for the Holidays festivities: