Athens’ New Attractions, Events, & Cultural Experiences in 2025 

I’ve always appreciated how Athens blends heritage and innovation. In 2025, the city continues evolving, from a brand-new arena to a landmark art exhibition. Here’s what I’m looking forward to this year.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND ATTRACTIONS

Top-Tier Entertainment at Akins Ford Arena

Akins Ford Arena is now open near downtown, with 8,500 seats and a stacked schedule of sports and music. Hockey fans can catch the Rock Lobsters FHPL team or the UGA Ice Dawgs.

Concerts include country favorites like Riley Green and Parker McCollum, alongside family-friendly acts such as the Harlem Globetrotters and Disney on Ice. It’s a welcome addition to the city’s lively entertainment scene.

“Beyond the Medici” at the Georgia Museum of Art

February 1 – May 18, 2025
This exhibition features the Haukohl Family Collection of Florentine baroque art, brought to Athens in partnership with the Medici Archive Project. The Georgia Museum of Art is on the University of Georgia campus and offers free admission. It’s a chance to see an acclaimed private art collection without leaving town.

Distilling at Athentic Brewing Company

Athentic Brewing Company is branching out into distilling in collaboration with Drayton Distillery. Vodka, an agave spirit, and white rum are set to debut in 2025, joining Athentic’s popular craft beer lineup. This adds another dimension to Athens’ beverage scene.

Award-Winning Rivet House

Rivet House opened in June 2024 and earned a finalist spot in Interior Design Magazine’s 2024 Best of Year Awards. The 50-room hotel reimagines a historic denim mill with modern design touches. It features an Italian restaurant, Osteria Olio, and a spa for unwinding after a day of exploring Athens.

ANNIVERSARIES AND ANNUAL EVENTS

25th Anniversary of Five & Ten

Founded by two-time James Beard Award winner Hugh Acheson, Five & Ten helped put Athens on the culinary map. Peter Dale now leads the kitchen, revisiting classic dishes and introducing new ones made with local ingredients and Condor Chocolates. This anniversary highlights the restaurant’s influence on the city’s food culture.

Athens Wine Weekend

February 7-9, 2025
Athens Wine Weekend brings three days of tastings, seminars, and food pairings from chefs representing Five & Ten, Pretty Boy, South Kitchen + Bar, and The Pine Bar. The event takes place at The Classic Center, offering a range of wines and expert advice in the heart of downtown.

50th Anniversary of Juried Exhibition at Lyndon House Arts Center

March 13 – May 10, 2025
Lyndon House Arts Center celebrates five decades of its Juried Exhibition. Michael Rooks, the Wieland Family Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Atlanta’s High Museum, serves as juror. Local artists submit a variety of work, and the opening reception provides a chance to meet them and see what Athens creatives are up to.

Third Annual Athens Beer Fest

April 6, 2025
Held at The Classic Center’s 440 Foundry Pavilion, Athens Beer Fest runs from 1 pm to 4 pm. Attendees can sample beers from breweries such as Akademia, Athentic, Creature Comforts, Terrapin, and more. The festival also includes live music, food trucks, and supports The Classic Center Cultural Foundation.

15th Anniversary of Athens Showgirl Cabaret

Founded in 2010 by Kelly and Alice Divine, Athens Showgirl Cabaret presents drag, burlesque, and variety shows at Hendershot’s. They host monthly performances—Fabulous Fridays, Drag For All (all ages), and Sunday Drag Brunches—while donating part of their tips to local charities, including the Boybutante AIDS Foundation. This milestone year honors both entertainment and community impact.