Holiday events abound in Athens County

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Holiday events, markets, activities and more are plentiful in and around Athens County this holiday season:

Now through Saturday, Dec. 10 

Toy Drive Presented by Southeastern Ohio Rainbow Alliance and Ohio University LGBT Center: SEORA and OU’s LGBT Center are collaborating on a toy drive. 

Drop off locations include: Peddlers Junction, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State. St., Athens Uncorked, OU LGBT Center and the OU Human Resources Office in Grosvenor Hall. Toys can be dropped off during regular business hours.

Toys can also be dropped off at Kazma’s Holly Jolly Holidays drag show, on Dec. 3 at Athens Uncorked, 14 Station St., for discounted admission (see event listing below for more information). All proceeds and donations go to Athens County Children Services. 

Thursday, Dec. 2 – Thursday, Dec. 22

Athena Cinema Holiday Film Series (coinciding with Uptown for the Holidays) every Thursday in December (2, 10, 17, 22). Films include: Edward Scissorhands, Elf, A Christmas Story, The Grinch (2018) and White Christmas.

Admission to the Athena’s Holiday Film Series is either a non-perishable food or cash donation. However, Tickets are available in advance. Find tickets and more information on the Holiday Film Series at athenacinema.com/holidayseries. 

Friday, Dec. 2 – Thursday, Dec. 22

Uptown for the Holidays Tree Lighting and Best Hometown in Ohio Award Ceremony, from 6-8 p.m. at the Athens County Courthouse, 1 S. Court St. on Friday, Dec. 3. 

This event will kick off Uptown for the Holidays, which includes recurring events and activities, through Dec. 22. Click here for an Uptown for the Holidays schedule (from the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce).

Saturday, Dec. 3 – Friday, Dec. 16

Athens County Community Singers Christmas Concerts, on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Market on State, 1002 E. State St.; Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Athens Community Center (Athens Farmers Market), time TBA; and Friday, Dec. 16 (Jeff Bierlein Memorial Christmas Concert) at 7 p.m. at ARTS/West, 132 W. State St. Click on link for Facebook page and more information. 

Saturday, Dec. 3

North Pole Nelsonville, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. in Nelsonville. The day begins with a fireman’s pancake breakfast and ends with a spaghetti dinner; it also features toy making, a lighting ceremony, a luncheon and parade. Find a full schedule by clicking here. Events will be held at the Nelsonville Fire Department, Nelsonville Elk’s Lodge and Nelsonville Public Square. 

Friends of Athens CASA Reindeer Run, from 9 a.m. to noon at Eclipse Company Store, at 11309 Jackson Dr. in The Plains. An annual 5k to support the Athens CASA/GAL program. For more information and how to participate, reindeerrun.rsvpify.com.

Artkinglot Small Business Winter Get Down from noon to 4 p.m. at Tavolino, 9 N. Shafer St. Featuring “unique handcrafted items from local small businesses.”

Pet Photos with Santa by Friendly Paws Pet Supplies & Grooming and the Athens County Humane Society, at The Market On State, 1002 E. State St., from 2-5 p.m. Money raised ($10 per photo) will go toward ACHS. 

Coolville Christmas in the Village from 2-6 p.m. on Main Street in Coolville. Featuring a craft show, visits with Santa Claus, make-and-take ornaments, parade and more. Find more on the Restore Coolville Facebook page.

Second annual Krampus parade and mask making by Chosen Pathways Spiritual Emporium, at 400 E. State St. suites A and B, from 3-8 p.m. 

A Krampus mask making class will be held from 3-6 p.m. and parade gathering begins at 5:30 p.m. The parade leaves at 6 p.m. for the Athens Community Center, where there will be refreshments and vendors. The parade will later return to the shop.

Participating in the Krampus parade is free for all ages, though individuals may “sponsor” paraders; some proceeds will go to Passion Works Studio. Participants are encouraged to dress in “Krampus attire” and bring objects “to make some noise.” 

The parade is sponsored by Chosen Pathways Spiritual Emporium and the Athens Arts, Parks, and Recreation Department.

Chauncey Tree Lighting Ceremony, Chauncey Senior Center and Village Hall, 42 Converse St. in Chauncey, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Ornament decorating, caroling, food and drinks and tree lighting. RSVP for ornaments. Find more on Facebook. 

Kazma’s Holly Jolly Holidays at Athens Uncorked, 14 Station St., with two showings: 5:30-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. The drag show serves as a toy drive for Athens County Children’s Services. Tickets are $15 per show, or $20 for both. Special VIP tickets are available for the second show only. If donating a toy, admission is dropped to $10 for one show or $15 for both.

Sunday, Dec. 4

Breakfast with Santa, featuring pancakes, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Trimble Masonic Lodge, at 10618 Valley St. in Trimble. 

Saturday, Dec. 3 – Sunday, Dec. 4

Athens Art Guild Holiday Shoppe at the Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St. Featuring local artisans, handcrafted items and a raffle with proceeds benefiting “local children’s art programs. Saturday hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday hours corrected.

Holiday Prints, Plants & Pots Sale at ARTS/West, 132 W. State St. Held in the performance space and lower gallery of ARTS/West, this event will focus on “handmade artwork, live plants, and ceramic work, all created or grown by local artists or horticulturalists.” 

Free and open to the public; parking available behind ARTS/West. Saturday hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday hours: noon to 5 p.m. Contact Emily Beveridge at ebeveridge@ci.athens.oh.us or call ARTS/West: 740-592-4315 with any questions.

Thursday, Dec. 8

Holiday Bingo Fundraiser by the Athens County Humane Society at the Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., from 6-8 p.m. A fundraiser for ACHS featuring cash prizes, food, beverages, a 50/50 raffle and ACHS gifts and crafts. Proceeds go toward spaying and neutering stray and feral cats. $20 for two bingo cards.

Thursday, Dec. 8 – Friday, Dec. 9

OU School of Art + Design presents: OHIO Ceramics Pot Sale, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Seigfred Hall, Room 540, 20 S. Church St. Featuring work by undergraduate and graduate students.

Friday, Dec. 9 – Saturday, Dec. 10

Holiday Bazaar by The Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Ln., both Friday and Saturday. Featuring over 40 vendors, art activities, raffle, a hot cocoa “bar,” and more. No admission. Friday hours: 3-8 p.m. Saturday hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Factory Street Studio’s 2022 Winter Dance Celebration, on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Shirley Wimmer Theater in Putnam Hall, Ohio University, 96 E. Union St. Admission for adults: $12. Admission for students: $8. Click here for tickets.

Saturday, Dec. 10

Breakfast with Santa at Beacon School, 801 W. Union St., from 9 a.m. to noon. One of the Beacon School PTA’s largest fundraisers. Breakfast will be served and Santa Claus will be present, with gifts, until 11 a.m. Admission is $5 at the door; children ages 3 and younger get in free. Also featuring live music, bake and craft sales, an auction and 50/50 raffle drawing. Contact (740) 594-3539 with any questions. 

Christmas at Lake Hope, from 4-6 p.m., at Lake Hope State Park, at 27331 State Route 278, McArthur. Featuring Santa Claus and refreshments. Contact the nature office at (740) 596-3030 with any questions.

The Naughty List: Dancers, Prancers, and Vixens, from 5-11 p.m. at Athens Uncorked, 14 Station St. Featuring burlesque and drag performances. Two showtimes: 5-7:30 p.m. and 8:30-11 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 11

Annual Holiday Craft Swap at ARTS/West, 132 W. State St., from 2-4 p.m. Tenth annual craft swap; see Facebook event for more details. This event is cash-free. 

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Rural Action Holiday Open House from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Community Makerspace and UpCycle Ohio Thrift Store, 751 W. Union St. Featuring tours, Christmas tree decorating, activities for kids, food and more. Free and open to the public.

Friday, Dec. 16

Larry Elefante’s Very Merry Holiday Soirée at Little Fish Brewing Company, 8675 Armitage Rd., from 8-10:30 p.m. Featuring live music and a canned food drive. Ugly sweaters are encouraged.

Saturday, Dec. 17

Jackie O’s Holiday PopUp at Jackie O’s Public House Restaurant, 22 W. Union St., from noon to 5 p.m. Artisan vendors include: Quinn Amorette Ceramics, Talcon-Quinn, Questionable Press, Paul Tescher Vinyl Records, Found From The Forest and Origin Threadcraft.

Living Nativity 2022 at Richland United Methodist Church, 60 Pomeroy Rd., from 3-7 p.m. Free admission and parking; featuring scenes of Bethlehem, live animals, food and gifts; estimated path takes five to 15 minutes. Click on the link for more information. 

Sunday, Dec. 25

Breakfast with Santa at Burr Oak Lodge, 10660 Burr Oak Lodge Rd., Glouster, from 8-11 a.m. Featuring an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast with Santa Claus. Adults $9.95; seniors and military discount: $10%; children ages 3-11: $5.95. Regular menu also available.

Looking for more? Didn’t see your event listed?

Check out Athens County Public Libraries calendar for even more events across the county, especially for children. Be sure to regularly check out our community calendar and submit your events!

Headline corrected.