Christmas In Athens, AL

November 21, 2025

News

The Christmas season is alive and well in our Hallmark hometown! Whether you put your tree up after the trick-or-treaters visited last month or you’re waiting ‘til the last bite of stuffing to get in the Christmas spirit, Athens is ready to welcome you into all the holiday fun.

Shopping

First off, the shopping is amplified. Downtown has lit up the square with festive decor, and the surrounding storefronts have followed suit. You are sure to see the sweetest holiday finds in Athens’ local shops and boutiques!There’s also pop-up markets to look forward to! The Christmas Open House hosted by Athens Main Street starts TODAY through the end of the weekend. This event doesn’t just have shopping–it has ice skating, live music, food trucks, and so much more! And the best part: most, if not all, of the vendors and participants are local. Just another way Athens-Limestone County is intentional about investing in the thriving local community.

Activities

Just like the abundance of shopping, there are also a TON of activities for you and your loved ones to enjoy. One of the obvious favorites is the Athens-Limestone County Christmas Parade that will take place in the downtown square on Thursday, December 4th at 6:00pm. This parade is one of the most extravagant in the south–with vibrant floats and lots of holiday vendors, the whole town comes out to watch!Next we have the Tinsel Trail! Formerly known as the “North Pole Stroll,” this free event is hosted in Big Spring Memorial Park. Enjoy a walkthrough of numerous decorated trees from local businesses and organizations. Trust us when we say these trees are ALWAYS so fun and we love how people show off their personality when decorating them! If y’all want to fill up on some of the best hot drinks around, the 15th Annual Sippin’ Cider Festival on December 15th is for you! This occasion brings cider enthusiasts together to make and taste who has the winning recipe. And for the winner: they receive the highly-desired 2025 Cider Cup! So don’t skip on this event – SIP on it!

Merry Christmas

These holiday happenings help make our lovely community come together closer than ever before (which is saying something for our close-knit selves!). We are so thankful to the city and the organizations that make this Christmas fun possible. We hope that you all enjoy spending this sweet season in the town that the Winter Homes team loves to call home.