A look at fall festivals and Halloween events in the Athens area

Sarah Dolezal, Athens Banner-Herald
Updated ·7 min read
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From Oktoberfest celebrations at breweries to trunk-or-treat events to the many fall festivals on the horizon, the Athens area has to much to offer for fall. As you prepare your calendar to maximize fall fun, here's a look at some of the upcoming events and activities.

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Fall Festivals and Markets in the Athens area

A popular fall activity for many is hitting a seasonal market or festival. Whether you are in search of a drink, some crafts or live music, these events have plenty to offer.

  1. If you missed Southern Brewing Octoberfest Celebration, get your Oktoberfest fix at Athentic Brewing Oktoberfest on Sept. 22 from 5-11 p.m.

  2. Just a quick drive to Commerce can land you at the Tanger Outlets for the Athens Area Fall Harvest Vendor Market on Sept. 23-24 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Local vendors and seasonal decor will be on full display.

  3. Looking for a free, kid-friendly event? The Faith Presbyterian Church Fall Festival on Oct. 1 from 5-7p.m. will include games, activities, food and more. The event encourages costumes.

  4. Southern Brewing keeps the fall festivities coming with Bumpkinfest Fall Market on Oct. 8 from noon to 7 p.m. A seasonal pumpkin beer — Bumpkin — artists and other vendors will all be at the brewery.

  5. The Monroe Fall Fest 2023 on Oct. 14 from 10 a.m.- 4p.m. will have arts and crafts and other local vendors.

  6. The Crossroads Community Church Fall Festival on Oct. 14 will have food, inflatables, pony rides, hay rides, face painting and more family-friendly activities. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.

  7. Art, jewelry, homemade items and lots of food will be at the Oconee Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival, on Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4p.m.

  8. Food, live music, costume contest, & more are on the schedule for the Midnight Iguana Fall Festival on Oct. 22 from noon to 5 p.m.

  9. Another family-friendly free event rolls around with the Clarke County Sheriff's Office Annual Fall Festival on Oct. 27 from 5-9 p.m. This event touts a haunted house — if you dare enter.

  10. The ACCPD Halloween Scare-A-Bration is a three-day event, from Oct. 28-30, with earlier hours geared toward younger kids. There is a haunted house and a trunk-or-treat among other activities!

Halloween parades

  1. Dogs in costume will take to the street for Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard on Oct. 15. The costume contest comes right before the parade, which is scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m.

  2. One of the most popular Halloween festivities in Athens, Wild Rumpus Parade and Spectacle returns on Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. The route winds through downtown and can be seen here. Before the parade, a Rumpus Rally will be at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. from 5-8 p.m. The Royal Rumpus Ball takes place after the parade, with the official afterparty set to kick off at 11 p.m. at Paloma Park.

All things Spooky and Scary

Looking for something a little spookier than a pumpkin patch? Here are the haunts and scares on the schedule for the Athens area this fall.

  1. Led by a local historian, the Watkinsville Haunted Walking Tour runs from late September to mid-November and introduces tour-takers to the spooky and paranormal side of the town. Tickets are $18 and the tours are on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.

  2. Led by the same historian who offers the Watkinsville tour, Athens Haunted History Walking Tours take a look at the spooky side of the Classic City. Book your tickets here.

  3. Ciné is offering several scary or Halloween-themed events this fall. Young Frankenstein will be shown at the theater on Sept. 17 at 9 p.m. Cine's drive-in movie night will feature Friday the 13th on — you guessed it — Friday, Oct. 13. Additionally there will be Fright Night Horror Movie Trivia on Oct. 31.

  4. Starting Sept. 30 and running through October, Zombie Farms in Winterville will bright the fright to its haunted trails. Tickets start at $34 and there are Sunday night exclusive events on Oct. 15, 22 and 29.

  5. Looking for a Gothic vibe? The Twin Tribes, Vision Video, Tears for the Dying and a Goth dance party on Oct. 28 from 9 p.m to 1 a.m. might be just the thing.

Trick-or-Treat events and more activities for kids

While some of the scarier offerings may not be appropriate for children, there are plenty of family-friendly fall festivities in the Athens area.

  1. Washington Farms is a popular option for fall fun in the Athens area. Activities include a pumpkin patch, corn maze, wagon and train rides and more. Tickets can be purchased in advance and is encouraged as weekends can sell out.

  2. Pumpkins galore at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church! The Five Points pumpkin patch opens on Oct. 1.

  3. Trick-or-treating comes early to the Athens YMCA. Grab the costumes and head to Trunk or Treat on Oct. 19. Tickets are $2 and participant registration begins Oct. 2.

  4. J&J Flea Market Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  5. Athens Church is hosting a "Mega Awesome Costume Party" on Oct. 25 from 6-8p.m.

  6. Athens-Clarke County Library has several kid-friendly Halloween-themed storytime events planned for late October, including:

    • Spooky Storytime: Oct. 25 9:30-10a.m. and 10:30-11am, Oct. 31 9:30-10a.m. and 10:30-11a.m.

    • Haunted Storyroom: Oct. 26 10:30a.m.-9p.m., Oct. 27 10:30am-5:30p.m., Oct. 28 10:30a.m.-5:30p.m., Oct. 29 2:30-5:30p.m., Oct. 30 10:30a.m.-1p.m.

    • Spooky Bedtime Storytime: Oct. 30 6-6:30p.m.

Other fall or Halloween-themed events

A Halloween-themed drag show hosted by Boybutante, dubbed Boobutante, will be at the 40 Watt on Oct. 27 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Peak Piedmont: Sept. 16 5-6:30p.m. (J's Bottle Shop: The Tasting Room 1452 Prince Ave.) Piedmont is eternally Autumnal and its hilly vineyards responsible for some of Italy's most graceful and ethereal wines. Come discover them! According to its eventbrite page.

Sandy Creek Nature Center's

  • Scary, Oozy, Slimy Day Sometimes nature is scary! Come face your fears on Oct. 13 , 6-8p.m. for a look at what nature has to offer this fall. $3 resident, $5 non-resident.

  • Jack-O-Lantern Jog 5K with One Mile Goblin Fun Run will take place on October 29 starting at 2p.m. Go walk or run for some spooky fall fun on the trails! Race entry forms are available at Sandy Creek Nature Center and online.

Lay Park

  • Pumpkin Hunt on Oct. 6, 6-7:30p.m. Come for the fall themed games and crafts, stay to find a pumpkin! $3 for residents, $4.50 non-residents.

  • Walk through Boo on Oct. 20 from 7-8p.m. for a scary walk "full of live zombies, ghouls, and ghosts." Free.

Bear Hollow Zoo Celebrate the season of all things spooky and scary at Bear Holloween on Oct. 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m. $5, free for children 3 and under.

Firefly Trail walk in costume with the family for the Fright on the Firefly: Halloween Trick or Treat Trail on Oct. 20, 6-7:30p.m. Children must be accompanied by adults, and there's a 200 person cap on participation.

Walker Park I'm not afraid of no ghost! Movies by Moonlight Halloween Movie Event featuring the original "Ghostbusters" on Oct. 26.

Don't see your event listed here? This article will be updated throughout October. Email sdolezal@onlineathens.com.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Fall festivals, Halloween events, family-friendly ideas in Athens, Ga