ATHENS, Ohio — Ah, the holiday season approaches! A time of gathering and festivities. Athens County is no stranger to these traditions. With an ever-growing list of yearly activities, there’s something for everyone. Peruse and enjoy!
Giving trees and toy drives
- Santa Tree for Athens County Children Services: The Market on State, 1002 E. State St., Athens. Gifts due by Dec. 9.
- Gwen’s Magical Toy Drive: Court Grill, 114 Court St., Pomeroy. Accepting gifts through Dec. 15.
- Clothing and Toy Drive: CommonHouse, 9365 Hooper Road, Athens. Accepting gifts from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 5. Free Christmas shop, refreshments and pictures with Santa will be held 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Dec. 14.
- Southeastern Ohio Rainbow Alliance Express Holiday Giveaway: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 184 Longview Heights Road, Athens. To reserve gifts, apply by Dec. 7. Gift giveaway takes place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 21.
Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day)
- Thanksgiving meal, vegetarian and vegan options: Kiser’s Barbeque, 355 E. State St., Athens. Free; donations accepted for Athens County Children’s Services’ Santa Tree Project. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. or until food is gone.
- Tavolino’s 7th Annual Community Meal: Tavolino, 9 N. Shafer St., Athens. Free annual meal, held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Thanksgiving dinner at the Skull: The Smiling Skull Saloon, 108 W. Union St., Athens. A free traditional dinner in a fun, bar atmosphere. Starts at 5 p.m.
- Traditional dinner: The Max Bar and Grill, 922 W. Hunter St., Logan. The bar opens at noon; dinner begins at 3 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 30
- Meigs County Trade Days Christmas Craft Show: Meigs County Fairgrounds, 41850 Fairgrounds Lane, Pomeroy, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 3
- Holiday Craft-a-thon: Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 4
- Needle Felted Critter Ornaments: Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 5
- Victorian Christmas Tours: The Castle, 418 Fourth St., Marietta.Non-member tickets: $15 per adult, $12 per child under 13. Member tickets: $13 per adult, $10 per child under 13. Free for ages five and under. Purchase tickets here; held from 7p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 6
- Ornament Bingo: Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Holiday Film Series: Classic Christmas Shorts (“Frosty the Snowman”, “Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer”) : Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St., Athens. Admission is a canned or non-perishable food product, or a monetary donation to a local food charity. Starts at 7 p.m.
- Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Uptown for the Holidays: Court Street, Athens. Community tree lighting and opening night festivities, and free activities at various businesses, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Christmas Movie Night, “The Polar Express”: Alexander Elementary School, 6105 School Road, Albany. Admission is a donation to the Alexander Inclusive Playground Project. Open to all families from all school districts. Featuring face-painting, holiday card decorating and a photo booth. Starts at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7
- Pancakes with Santa: York Township Volunteer Fire Department Station #1, 15255 Elm Rock Road, Nelsonville, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Ornament Bingo for Adults : The Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Road, The Plains, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Factory Street Studio Holiday Movement Class: Athens Public Library, 30 Home St., Athens, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Christmas Craft Show : Riverbend Arts Council, 290 N. Second St., Middleport, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Albany Fall Festival Christmas in the Village: Washington St., Albany. The parade starts at 12:30 p.m. and the event runs to 5:30 p.m. Santa Claus visits will be available starting at 1:30 p.m.
- Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting: Star Mill Park, 716 5th St., Racine. Parade lineup takes place from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and starts at 6 p.m.
- Logan Christmas Parade: Parade begins at the Hocking County Fairgrounds, announcements at Worthington Park, ends at the Hocking Mall. Parade kicks off at 2 p.m.
- Holiday Film Series: “Elf”: Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St., Athens. Admission is a canned or non-perishable food product, or a monetary donation to a local food charity. Showing at 3 p.m.
- Pet Photos with Santa: The Market on State, 1002 State St., Athens. $10 donation to benefit Behavior Analysis Reform for Companions, a nonprofit that trains shelter dogs for successful long-term adoptions. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 8
- Breakfast with Santa: Junction City Fire Department, 109 S. Mulberry St., Junction City, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
- Ornament Bingo for Adults: Wells (Albany) Public Library, 5200 Washington Road, Albany, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
- Holiday Craft-a-thon: Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Make a Light-Up Holiday Card: Chauncey Public Library, 29 Converse St., Chauncey, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Holiday Cookie Decorating: The Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Road, The Plains, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Instant Hot Chocolate Jars: Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 11
- Victorian Christmas Tours: The Castle, 418 Fourth St., Marietta.Non-member tickets: $15 per adult, $12 per child under 13. Member tickets: $13 per adult, $10 per child under 13. Free for ages five and under. Purchase tickets here; held from 7p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 13
- Diamond Dot Christmas Ornaments: Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nelsonville Fire Department Santa Parade, citywide, Nelsonville, starting at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 14
- Amesville Christmas Craft Show: Amesville Fire Department, 18 Maple St., Amesville, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Breakfast with Santa: Mason Lodge, State Street, Amesville. $5 per person, all you can eat. Kids ages 12 and younger eat free. Holiday parade to follow breakfast. The event takes place from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Free Christmas Shop: CommonHouse 9365 Hooper Road, Athens, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Victorian Christmas Tours: The Castle, 418 Fourth St., Marietta.Non-member tickets: $15 per adult, $12 per child under 13. Member tickets: $13 per adult, $10 per child under 13. Free for ages five and under. Purchase tickets here; held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Holiday Film Series: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”: Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St, Athens. Admission is a canned or non-perishable food product, or a monetary donation to a local food charity. Showing at 3 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 16
- Holiday De-stressing Sound Bath: Athens Public Library, 30 Home St., Athens, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Gift Wrapping Palooza: The Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Road, The Plains, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Make a Gingerbread House: Chauncey Public Library, 29 Converse St., Chauncey, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sew Your Own Stocking: Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Music and Merriment with the Brickersons: Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 19
- Owl Family Ornament: Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Gift Wrapping Palooza: Chauncey Public Library, 29 Converse St., Chauncey, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 20
- Annual Solstice Celebration : The Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Road, The Plains, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21
- Holiday Film Series: “The Grinch” (2018): Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St., Athens. Admission is a canned or non-perishable food product, or a monetary donation to a local food charity. Showing at 3 p.m.
- Coolville Christmas celebration: Village of Coolville. Parade at 6 p.m., followed by the lighting of the village Christmas tree and a live nativity scene at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve)
- New Year’s Eve Candlelight Restorative Yoga: Serenity Roots, 8950 Lavelle Road, Athens. Purchase tickets in advance; takes place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- New Years Eve Train & Fireworks: Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, 33 W. Canal St., Nelsonville. Admission is $36 to $38 for adults, $25 for children ages three to 12. From approximately 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
- New Year’s Eve Party: Big Run Kava Bar, 72 N. Court St., Athens. Featuring snacks, mocktails and more. From 8 p.m. to midnight.
- New Year’s Eve Masquerade and Dance Party: Ohio University Inn, 331 Richland Ave., Athens. Presented by the Athens Sunrise Rotary; all proceeds benefit the Albany Inclusive Playground Project. Purchase tickets online. From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
