“Deck the Hollow” Holiday Light Show at Athens' Bear Hollow Zoo

Don't miss this great new holiday event for families!  Deck the Hollow Holiday Lights takes place nightly from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Bear Hollow Zoo from Saturday, December 10 through Sunday, December 18. The community is invited to celebrate the holidays in lights. Activities include live music, story telling, animal encounters, concessions available for purchase, and photo opportunities in the zoo illuminated with holiday lights.

Admission fee is $3 per person, ages 2 and under free. Registration is not required.

For more information call 706-613-3580 or visit www.athensclarkecounty.com/bearhollow.

Bear Hollow Zoo and Memorial Park, located at 293 Gran Ellen Drive, are facilities of the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department.

Holiday Exporation in Athens' Artsy and Eclectic Shops

There is truly not a thing that compares to strolling down the streets of downtown Athens with nothing but sunshine and time. In it's winter decor, downtown's beautiful, historic buildings twinkle with holiday lights, welcoming the season and all of it's splendor. Athens' trendy but classic holiday vibe offers holiday shoppers and winter outings a vibrant mix of local art eclectic shops.

My personal favorite part of holiday shopping downtown is the unpredictable and amusing local shops that end up catching my eye. The variety of unique stores in the area offers shoppers and gift givers everything from fashion to food and art. As a professional window shopper, I've done my fair share of downtown shopping and have discovered some of the best original shops, for the perfect gift and interesting pieces. Among the many wonderful boutiques downtown, I've narrowed the options down to my two favorites: Helix and The Junkman's Daughter's Brother.

I originally stumbled on Helix four years ago during my first visit to Athens, and it still never ceases to spark my creativity. Upon entering the store, visitors are immersed into an atmosphere of imagination and fun. Offering customers everything from well-designed and artistic stationary to innovative local art pieces, such as recycled record coasters or bottle cap picture frames, its no wonder I can spend so much time in this one shop. But don't worry. Helix isn't just for the creative at heart. The cleaver saying and gag gifts found scattered throughout the store adds a uniquely hilarious Athens personality to the shop as well. With arts and crafts, creative pieces, goofy knick nacks, stunning originals, and interesting creations, Helix is the perfect place to find a gift for a friend or a treasure of your own.

Junkman's Daughter's Brother, on the other hand, is an entirely different experience. Related to the Junkman's Daughter in Atlanta, the store was actually founded by the brother of the daughter of a real-life junk man. A little crazy? So is the store. Filled with both the weird and the wonderful, the incredible clutter of the store overwhelms shoppers with the childish and exciting feeling of a scavenger hunt. Life-size posters and flags fill the walls and manikins wearing masks, vintage pieces, and anything flamboyant greet customers throughout the store. If you're looking for entertainment or shopping for a completely unique gift, this is the place to go. The bizarre but amazing accumulation of everything from unusual gifts and retro knick nacks to collectibles and toys, this store has everything and anything you could ever imagine.

Even though I've roamed in and out of all sorts of stores in downtown Athens, I'm sure there are stores that I've overlooked. What are some of your favorites downtown shops for holiday gifts? For more Athens holiday fun and plenty of options for shopping Athens local, visit www.VisitAthensGA.com/Holiday.

A Weekend of Holiday Cheer! Dec. 9 - 11 Athens Special Events

If you are like me, you have been looking forward to the holiday season all year. Something about the crispness of the cool air as winter approaches and the unpacking of warm winter clothes immediately brings to mind the images of twinkling holiday lights, the steam curling up from a mug filled with hot cocoa, family sitting around the dinner table staggering under the weight of a holiday feast, fireplaces, familiar holiday tunes, and lots and lots of gift-giving. There is also the fact that with the holiday season comes a variety of exciting holiday events, such as concerts, plays, parades, family activities, and much more!

Luckily for us, Athens GA is no exception, and as we get closer to the end of the year, there are plenty of events and things to do to help get us even more in the holiday spirit. If that is something you are interested in, I would advise you to mark off the weekend of Dec. 9 - 11 in your calendar because that weekend will be completely full of great holiday activities perfect for you and your family and friends!

1. Head over to Clarke Central High School on Friday, Dec. 9 for the 4th annual Not So Silent Night, where you can participate in a silent auction of items from some of Athens' finest establishments. There will be great food provided as well as lively music from Panablaze, Atlanta's renowned steel drum band. Enjoy this night of unique holiday shopping, food, and music, and support award-winning journalism staff of The Odyssey Newsmagazine and the Illiad Literary Journal. Admission is $20 and the event lasts from 7 - 9 p.m.

2. Friday is also the opening night for Overnight Christmas at the historic Morton Theatre. Cornerstone Productions proudly presents this unforgettable musical journey, where Frank Green, the main character, travels the world on the last delivery run before Christmas. This grand musical will fill your evening with delight, Broadway-style production numbers, and fun for the whole family. Overnight Christmas will show at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission can be purchased in advance for $10 for adults and $8 for students, seniors, and children 10 and under. Tickets purchased at the door are $15/$12.

3. On Saturday, Dec. 10, stop by the Sandy Creek Nature Center for Breakfast with Santa. Bring your children and chat with Jolly Old St. Nick himself! There will be crafts and activities for your family to enjoy. The breakfast runs from 10:15 - 10:45 a.m. and admission is $5 for Athens Clarke County residents and $7 for non-residents.

4. Make sure you have reserved a spot for the 4th annual Holiday Spirits Museum Mile Tour held on Saturday night. This festive tour will provide you a chance to step back intohistory and experience antebellum Athens as you experience theatrical vignettes in four house museums that show you holiday traditions back in the day. Seasonal refreshments and period music will also be provided, completing your experience of historical fun. 2-hour tours will depart at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. There are a limited number of seats, so get your tickets today!

5. Those lucky enough to have scored a ticket to the Athens Symphony Community Christmas Concerts on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. will enjoy a wonderful night of holiday music. Held at the Classic Center, the concert will feature many well-known Christmas pieces, such as Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, Carol of the Bells, and The Christmas Song.

6. Bring your children with you to the 3rd Annual Holiday Tea, held at the historic Harris Room on Sunday, Dec. 11. Enjoy time spent and pictures taken with Santa, and eat your fill of of sweets, sandwiches, gourmet cookies, and hot chocolate. The event will begin at 3:00 p.m. Admission is $15 for children and $20 for adults and helps support the programs of the Athens Community Council on Aging.

7. When you have a free moment on Sunday, make sure to drop by the Athens Artist Market First Annual Holiday Showcase. Over 40 local artists will be selling their work at the Athens Art Gallery at Hotel Indigo, allowing you to choose from a variety of quality selections of jewelry, pottery, home decor, skin products, mixed media, and more! Support local while getting a few things crossed off your gift shopping list. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Just thinking about all these holiday events makes me excited to spend my holidays in Athens, GA. What will you be doing the weekend of Dec. 9 - 11?

For other great holiday activities and events, check out www.VisitAthensGa.com/holiday.

- Debbie

Get in the Spirit!: Holiday Spirits Museum Mile Tour

If you are looking for an unique holiday experience close to home and perfect for the family, look no further. The Athens Historic House Museum Association presents its 4th annual Holiday Spirits Museum Mile Tour on Saturday Dec. 10. However, this is no ordinary holiday home tour. What makes this tour so special and fun for the family? Read on, and find out!

There's a special twist in this holiday home tour: in three of the four houses participants will visit, local and other talent will put on short theatrical performances that give glimpses into how different people celebrated the holidays in the 19th century. The different characters being portrayed include former UGA president Moses Waddel, Henry W. Grady, and an enslaved family. The audience will truly be able to take a step back into time and learn what it was like to celebrate the holidays in the 1800's.

The three performances will take place in the T.R.R. Cobb House, the Taylor-Grady House, and the Church-Waddel-Brumby House. It will also include a guided tour of the Ware-Lyndon House, in which participants will enjoy period music and delicious seasonal refreshments.

Only three tours are being offered, so make sure to order your tickets in advance! The Holiday Museum Mile Tours will depart from the Ware-Lyndon House Parking Lot at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children under the age of 12. You can find more information or make reservations at the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation website.

So if you're still looking into gift ideas for Mom or Grandma, this tour is the perfect present! Make reservations for your family, and be prepared to enjoy a wonderful evening of theatre, music, and tasty fun.

For  other festive holiday events in Athens GA, see www.VisitAthensGA.com/holiday.

- Debbie

Start the Holiday Fun this Weekend in Athens!

The holiday season is underway in Athens! With all of downtown decorated in twinkling winter lights, it's no wonder the whole city is in the holiday spirit. From festive performances and winter workshops to holiday art markets and seasonal drinks, Athens is the perfect place for holiday fun. Start the season off right at one of the many holiday events this weekend in Athens!

1. If you're looking for a wonderful evening of great music, Broadway-style numbers, and fun for the entire family, Athens has two exciting shows that you and your family are sure to love! Beginning this weekend, the historic Morton Theatre will play host to the Chirstmas late-night delivery adventure Overnight Chirstmas. This exciting musical journey illustrates holiday traditions all over the world as an overnight delivery man finds the true meaning of Chirstmas. Broadway lovers can also revisit the classic rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Time Rice at Town and Gown's performance of Jesus Christ Superstar.

2. Looking for the perfect present? Visit the many Athens holiday markets and treat your friends and family to the gift of local art! Original pieces are on show at the Deck the Walls Holiday Market at the Lyndon House Arts Center. The Indie Craftstravaganza Holiday Market will also be offering exciting crafts to holiday shoppers. You also wont want to miss out on the Junior League of Athens Holiday Marketplace at the Georgia Center! With so many market opportunities this weekend, you're sure to find a wonderful gift.

3. Trappeze Pub will be rolling out some of the most incredible stouts in the world for its Third Annual Stout Festival! The venue's taps will be transformed into a celebration of dark and delicious ales that make winter such a special time of the year. They will also have special cask tappings as well as many favorite large bottle stouts poured by the glass each night. Mark you calendars and plan on joining in on the winter fun as Trappeze Pub raises a pint to these delicious giants!

And, of course, that's not all the holiday fun going on around the Classic City! Check out these events for more holiday fun:

• Hodgson School of Music Holiday Concert: The UGA Hodgson School of Music will present its annual Holiday Concert in Hodgson Concert Hall of the Performing Arts Center on December 1 - 2 at 8 p.m. Come experience these talented students perform the sounds of the season!
• Milk and Cookies for Santa Workshop: Create a colorful cup and dish for Santa's late night snack out of clay! The workshop will be held at Good Dirt this Sunday from 2 - 4 p.m.
• Photos with Santa for Pets : Pet Supplies Plus is offering your pet the opportunity to visit Santa! Bring your pets to the store from 12 - 6 p.m. to tell Santa what they want for Christmas and take home a festive photo of your adorable pet.

With so many festive events to choose from, this weekend is sure to be full of holiday cheer! What are you up to around Athens this weekend?