Holiday events around Athens County (and a little beyond)

There’s something happening pretty much every week through the end of the year. Have an event for this list? Add it to our community calendar!

Giving Trees and Toy Drives

• Santa Tree for Athens County Children Services: Market on State, 1002 E. State St., Athens. Deadline: Dec. 8.
• SEORA Drag Show and Toy Drive: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, Athens Uncorked, 14 Station St., Athens. $10 cover reduced to $5 with new/unwrapped toy.
• Giving Tree for Kimes Nursing Home residents: Fruth Pharmacy, 8972 United Lane, Athens. Deadline: Dec. 15.

Saturday, Nov. 18

• Annual Craft Show: 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Federal Valley Resource Center, 8225 SR 329, Stewart.
• Open Ride/Toy Drive: Athens County Crawlers, 9 a.m. through 10 a.m. Nov. 19, ACC Offroad Park, 4751 Gun Club Rd., Athens. $20/rig + toys, $5/passenger + toys.

Sunday, Nov. 19

• Spartan Holiday Gift Show: 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Alexander Recreation Center, Albany.

Monday, Nov. 20: 

• Jason Reed’s Annual Turkey Giveaway: 3–4 p.m., 20 University Estates Blvd., Athens. 200 turkeys available on first-come, first-served basis.
• Craft Night — Beaded Snowflakes: 6:30 p.m., Shade Community Center, 2380 Old SR 33, Shade. $10. Reserve a spot by calling/texting 740-590-0411.

Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23: 

• Thanksgiving Buffet: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Hocking Hills Lodge and Conference Center, 20020 SR 664 South, Logan. Reservations required
• Tavolino’s 6th Annual Community Meal: 5–7 p.m., Tavolino, 9 N. Shafer St., Athens. Free.

Saturday, Nov. 25

• Meigs County Trade Days Christmas Craft Show: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Meigs County Fairgrounds, Pomeroy.

Tuesday, Nov. 28

• Designer Cookies: 3:30–4:30 p.m., Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville.

Wednesday, Nov. 29

• Straight No Chaser Sleighin’ It Tour: 7:30 p.m., Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium, Ohio University College Green, Athens. $35.

Thursday, Nov. 30

• Watercolor Cards: 6:30 p.m., Shade Community Center, 2380 Old SR 33, Shade. $10. $10. Reserve a spot by calling/texting 740-590-0411.

Friday, Dec. 1

• Holiday Book Sale: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville.
• DIY Recycled Paper Ornaments: 3–4:30 p.m., The Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Rd., The Plains.

Saturday, Dec. 2

• Hand-Dipped Candle Making: 12:30 p.m., Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens. Tickets
• Gwen’s Magical Toy Drive-Through: 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Market on State, 1002 E. State St., Athens.
• Family Movie Matinee: “Home Alone”: 1–3 p.m., Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville.
• 3rd Annual Krampus Parade: 5 p.m., Chosen Pathways Spiritual Emporium, 440 E. State St., Athens.
• Lasagna dinner: 6–8 p.m., Athens AMVETS, 20 Campbell St., Athens. $10.

Sunday, Dec. 3

• Cocoa, Cookies & Canvas: 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 205 W. Columbus St., Nelsonville. $25; fundraiser for Girl Scout Troop 10016. Register
• Holidays at The Ridges: 12–4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, The Ridges Auditorium, 135 Ridges Circle, Athens. Horse-drawn wagon rides; Ohio University Trombone Choir performance at 12:30 p.m. Nonperishable food item or cash donation.
• Holiday Film Series: “Elf”: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., The Ridges Auditorium, 135 Ridges Circle, Athens. Nonperishable food item or cash donation.
• Pet Photos with Santa: 4–6 p.m., Santa Village at the Market on State, 1002 E. State St., Athens. $10 donation benefits Integrated Services’ pet support program.

Monday, Dec. 4

• Holiday Book Sale: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville.

Tuesday, Dec. 5

• Holiday Book Sale: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville.
• Kids’ Holiday Craft and Snack Workshop: 4:30–5:30 p.m., Athens Public Library, 30 Home St., Athens.
• Holiday Card Making: 6–7 p.m., Wells Public Library, 5200 Washington Rd., Albany. Register by 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1.

Wednesday, Dec. 6

• Ornaments of Christmas, Part 11: 2–4 p.m., Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville.
• Winter Village Wreath, Part 1: 2–4 p.m., Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville. Register by 2 p.m. Dec. 6.
• Make a Light-Up, Pop-Up Holiday Card: 4–5 p.m., Chauncey Public Library, 29 Converse St., Chauncey.
• Create a Hot Chocolate Jar: 4–6 p.m., Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville.

Thursday, Dec. 7

• Donkey for the Dogs Holiday Gift Table: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Donkey Coffee & Espresso, 17 W. Washington St., Athens.
• Annual Gingerbread House Build: 3–5 p.m., Glouster Public Library, 20 Toledo St., Glouster.
• Victorian Christmas Tours at The Castle: 7–8 p.m. The Castle, 418 Fourth St., Marietta. Tours begin every 15 minutes and last approximately 1 hour. $12. Register

Friday, Dec. 8

• 2023 Holiday Bazaar: 3–8 p.m., Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens.
• DIY Recycled Paper Ornaments: 3–4:30 p.m., The Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Rd., The Plains.

Saturday, Dec. 9

• All You Can Eat Breakfast with Santa: 7–10 a.m. Amesville Masonic Lodge, SR 550, Amesville. $5, cash only.
• 2nd Annual Amesville Christmas Craft Show: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. ACRE Building and Amesville Presbyterian Church, Franklin St., Amesville. Cash only. 
• Breakfast with Santa: 9–11 a.m., Shade Community Center, 2380 Old SR 33, Shade. Nonperishable food item or cash donation.
• Amesville Christmas Parade: 10 a.m., Amesville.
• 2023 Holiday Bazaar: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens.
• Monday Creek Publishing’s Hocking Hills Book Fair: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens.
• Christmas in the Village: 1 p.m., Washington Street, Albany.
• Christmas Crackers!: 1–3 p.m., Chosen Pathways Spiritual Emporium, 440 E. State St., Athens. $20
• FVRC Christmas Celebration with Bruce & Gay Dalzell: 7 p.m., Federal Valley Resource Center, 8225 SR 329, Stewart.

Monday, Dec. 11

• Lunch and Movie: “Ernest Saves Christmas”: Noon–2 p.m., The Plains Public Library 14 S. Plains Rd., The Plains.
• Christmas Diamond Dot Paintings: 2–4:30 p.m., Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville. Register by 2 p.m. Dec. 11.

Tuesday, Dec. 12

• DIY Holiday Mugs: 4:30–5:30 p.m., Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville.

Wednesday, Dec. 13

• Destressing Crystal Singing Bowls Sound Bath: 2–3 p.m., Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville.
• Winter Village Wreath, Part 2: 2–4 p.m., Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville. Register by 2 p.m. Dec. 13.
• Make a Holiday Ornament: 4–5 p.m., Chauncey Public Library, 29 Converse St., Chauncey.
• Gift Wrapping Class: 4–6 p.m., Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville.
• After-School Movie: “Snow Buddies”: 4:30–6:30 p.m., Athens Public Library, 30 Home St., Athens.

Thursday, Dec. 14

• Harvest Wreaths: 4–5 p.m., Glouster Public Library, 20 Toledo St., Glouster.
• Holiday Cookie Decorating: 4–5:30 p.m., The Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Rd., The Plains.
• Victorian Christmas Tours at The Castle: 7–8 p.m. The Castle, 418 Fourth St., Marietta. Tours begin every 15 minutes and last approximately 1 hour. $12. Register

Friday, Dec. 15

• DIY Recycled Paper Ornaments: 3–4:30 p.m., The Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Rd., The Plains.
• Nelsonville-York Elementary School PTO Holiday Shop: 4–7 p.m., Nelsonville-York Elementary School, 2 Buckeye Drive, Nelsonville.

Saturday, Dec. 16

• Athens Art Guild Holiday Shoppe: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Athens Communty Center, 701 E. State St., Athens.
• Cooking Decorating Class for Kids: 10 a.m.–noon, ArtsWest, 132 W. State St., Athens. $30. Ages 7–15.
• Chosen Pathways Holiday Open House: 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Chosen Pathways Spiritual Emporium, 440 E. State St., Athens.
• Cooking Decorating Class for Adults: noon–2 p.m., ArtsWest, 132 W. State St., Athens. $45. Age 16+.
• Christmas at Lake Hope: 4–6 p.m., Lake Hope State Park lodge, 27331 SR 278, McArthur.
• Sensory-Friendly Holiday Concert: 4:30–6:30 p.m., Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville. Free, but registration required.
• Victorian Christmas Tours at The Castle: 7–8:30 p.m. The Castle, 418 Fourth St., Marietta. Tours begin every 15 minutes and last approximately 1 hour. $12. Register

Sunday, Dec. 17

• Athens Art Guild Holiday Shoppe: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Athens Communty Center, 701 E. State St., Athens.

• Chosen Pathways Holiday Open House: 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Chosen Pathways Spiritual Emporium, 440 E. State St., Athens.

Thursday, Dec. 21

• Ornaments of Christmas, Part 12: 2–4 p.m., Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville.
• Winter Solstice Celebration: 6–7 p.m., The Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Rd., The Plains.

Friday, Dec. 22

Holiday Party: 4–6 p.m., Chauncey Public Library, 29 Converse St., Chauncey.

Saturday, Dec. 23

• Holiday Destressing Sound Bath: 2–3 p.m., Athens Public Library, 30 Home St., Athens.
• Holiday Film Series: “It’s a Wonderful Life”: 5 p.m. The Ridges Auditorium, 135 Ridges Circle, Athens. Nonperishable food item or cash donation.
• Dow’s Rollarena Christmas Party: 7–10 p.m., Dow’s Rollarena, 15329 Elm Rock Rd, Nelsonville. Free door prizes!

Saturday, Dec. 30

• Noon Year’s Eve Party!: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Wells Public Library, 5200 Washington Rd., Albany.

Sunday, Dec. 31

• Athens Sunrise Rotary New Year’s Eve Masquerade: 9 p.m.–1 a.m., Ohio University Inn, 331 Richland Ave., Athens. Tickets

• New Year’s Eve Train and Fireworks: 10:30 p.m., Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, 33 W. Canal St., Nelsonville. $36–$38 adults, $25 children 3–12.