Events in Athens today

This community Rock & Run in Athens features a 5K and a 3K walk. Proceeds benefit the Wrenches & Wisdom Scholarship, VFW Post 2872, and the Auxiliary in support of local veteran causes.

Explore an estate sale featuring vintage apparel, home furnishings, linens, rugs, kitchenware, art supplies, and books, all in support of the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation. Attendees can browse a range of unique finds at this Bishop sale while contributing to the foundation through their purchases.

Now in its second year, this chopper show is co-hosted with Hendricks Custom Paint and will feature food and merchandise vendors. Vendor applications are still being accepted with a $50 fee. Entry for the bike show is $20, with custom painted trophies from Hendricks Custom Paint, and Best in Show first place receiving 50 percent of the total registration money. For questions about vending or entering the show, text or call Matt at 6788008612.

Find out more about the Friends of Sandy Creek Nature Center during an open house at Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens. Enjoy opportunities to meet animals, take part in crafts, grab Kona Ice, and visit the planetarium. Admission is free.

A community gathering in Athens centers on a short-term gift economy where everything is freely given and nothing is sold, swapped, or bartered. Community members are welcome to bring items in clean, usable condition to pass along, including clothing, household goods, books, movies, toys, furniture, food, plants, and art or craft supplies. Participation is welcome whether or not you have items to share, and participants may discover something they need or a new treasure to take home. If bringing food in opened packages, compost what fits the guidelines; CHaRM provides bins for materials without dairy or meat. Those offering oversized items should plan to remain until they are claimed because hauling is not available. Any goods left at the end are shared with nearby thrift shops or posted to community Facebook sharing pages, keeping the focus on generosity and connection.

REPTAR is coming to the 40 Watt Club for an in-person show called CDSM- Your Ex's Pets. The event is set up for attendees under 18 only with a parent or legal guardian. Tickets are nonrefundable.

This event at the Georgia Theatre Rooftop in Athens features performances by Cody Gentry, Mac Leaphart, and Donny Van Slee. Gentry brings an Americana sound shaped by five years of performing across the Southeast, guided by careful listening, study, and a continual search for inspiration. Leaphart offers Americana built for roadhouses and dimly lit bars, suited to crowds looking to have a good time. Van Slee is a Nashville-based artist who first stepped into the spotlight as a contestant on season 25 of The Voice.

Presented at Town & Gown Players in Athens, Lewis Galantiere’s adaptation of Antigone sets the classic story in the modern day and delves into themes of duty, defiance, and destiny. Admission is $20 for adults and $15 for members, seniors, and students.

Drop in for open chess play where you can learn the game, test your skills against others, and meet fellow chess enthusiasts. Mondays from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, and it’s free.

High beginner and improver line dancers can build skills with three fresh routines led by instructor TheDancingRuth at Social Dance Preserve in Watkinsville. Each session covers three different dances and is designed for those with some prior experience, building on steps commonly learned at the beginner level. All ages are welcome. Instruction is clear and focused at the improver level, with a mix that typically includes one choice from the owner’s request list plus something new and something familiar. Lessons are followed by time to practice what was learned. Music spans country, pop, and rock. Admission is $15, with cash or Venmo preferred, and credit cards accepted. Feel free to bring your own snacks and beverages. Water is provided, and additional snacks are available for purchase. Wear whatever is comfortable. The studio features strong air conditioning, fans, wood floors, a mirrored wall, and lots of seating. If you are not ready for this level, the studio also offers a separate beginner line dance series.

This weekly breakfast fellowship brings a relaxed vibe to Suncatcher Cafe, with casual conversation and plenty of tall tales. Enjoy an informal meal at a spot celebrated for its homemade biscuits.

Piedmont Athens Regional Trauma Services presents a hands-on CarFit training in Classroom B at the Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Services Building. The program prepares participants to serve as CarFit technicians and event coordinators so they can bring CarFit events and assessments to their communities and support older adults in staying safe behind the wheel. Through practical instruction, attendees learn how to help drivers find a safe and comfortable seating position, understand key vehicle safety features, and apply the CarFit 12-point assessment. The curriculum also covers assisting during a CarFit assessment, organizing and coordinating local events, and connecting older adults with helpful driving resources. The schedule includes a technician segment followed by coordinator training. This session is designed for healthcare professionals, EMS, fire and law enforcement personnel, and community partners. The overall goal is to build local capacity for safer, more confident driving.

Enjoy a fun morning for little ones with art viewing and storytime in the galleries, followed by an art activity designed just for toddlers. This free program is for families with children ages 18 months to 3+ years, and spots are limited, so reserving ahead is recommended.

Explore the State Botanical Garden’s Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum on an in-depth guided tour led by the curator or docents. The cost is $5 per person, payable at the Garden Gift Shop upon arrival.

Put your general trivia knowledge to the test at Classic City Trivia, hosted by Garrett. It runs in a friendly, casual trivia format and is held on Tuesday evenings.

A weekly porch gathering keeps the door open for unstructured connection and conversation. There is no schedule, sign-up, or programming. Enjoy iced tea, lemonade, or coffee while neighbors relax, chat, knit, or play mahjong. The Taylor-Grady House is also available for informal tours during this time. This simple time reflects the house’s commitment to welcome all without any expectation to buy, register, or perform anything. The focus is on community sustained without transactions, building face-to-face familiarity week after week that helps make the rest of Commune possible.

Head to the Athens Farmers Market at Creature Comforts for an evening of local produce and other goods. It runs every Wednesday, so you can come shop, browse, and pick up fresh items from local vendors during the 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM window.

Join Garden Nights for an adult-friendly evening exploring the garden up close, followed by a fun activity. For this session, learn about Joe Pye Weed and how it attracts hundreds of butterflies, then play bingo in the Heritage Garden. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Tickets include light snacks and two beverages. If weather is bad, the program will move to the Visitor Center and Conservatory.

Explore the State Botanical Garden’s natural areas with Nature Ramblers, a relaxed outing focused on observing local plants and wildlife while meeting others and enjoying fresh air. Each ramble begins with an inspiring selection from a nature writer, with authors such as Annie Dillard, John Muir, or Janisse Ray often highlighted. Participants are invited to bring their own nature writings, favorite poems, or essays to share with the group. This is a gentle ramble rather than a hike, with unhurried pauses to look closely at plants, insects, butterflies, mushrooms, and other discoveries along the path. Sessions are flexible, so attend one or many. There is no cost to participate, and optional donations can be placed in the garden’s donation box located in the visitor center lobby.

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia education team offers Sweet Pea Club at the Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden. Families come together for hands-on fun in the garden, with activities that may include songs, puppetry, stories, short hikes, and games. Each session features a different theme, such as busy bees, pollination, decomposers, all about animals, and the plants we eat. This informal program is designed for children ages 3 to 5 and helps young naturalists build an understanding of the importance of our shared earth. Activities typically take place outdoors, and the exact location may shift with the weather. Registration is required for each participating child.

A Zumba and dance fitness class offers a music-led workout that keeps participants moving. The session takes place at Social Dance Preserve, and the fee is $15 per class.

Enjoy home-grown townie improv with a fun, on-the-spot show built from your suggestions. The night includes a Shortform Show at 7:00 PM, followed by a Longform Team Show at 8:00 PM, featuring new and experienced performers. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the event is recommended for ages 18+. Tickets are $5.

Athens brings an all-out '80s celebration to the 40 Watt Club as Atlanta Vice delivers a fully live, high-energy set packed with New Wave synth-pop and arena rock anthems. The performance channels the decade from start to finish on a historic stage. The event is presented by Aubrey Entertainment.

Zero Mile presents Luke Borchelt at Georgia Theatre, a country artist from Maryland who fuses classic storytelling with influences from DMV hip-hop culture. A self-taught guitarist who started writing at 23, he performs with a raw, real-life perspective shaped by pride and grit. His music connects with audiences through candid songs and a distinctive energy. Ages 18 and over.