Busy sidewalks, city sidewalks, dressed in holiday style... In the air there's a feeling of Christmas! That's right!   Once again all the joys of the Christmas Season are headed back to downtown Athens for Christmas Open House, November 16, 17 and 18!  This year marks the 32nd year of the Athens Christmas Open House, organized by the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce and Athens Main Street.  Each year, Christmas Open House kicks off the holiday shopping season.   And this year, Athens is celebrating their Bicentennial so the community is invited to come “Shop, Skate, and Celebrate 200 Years”.  The theme for Christmas Open House will be “A Bicentennial Christmas”.  In addition to our traditional Christmas Open House activities, there will be a number of Bicentennial celebrations also taking place during the weekend. 

Supporting our local merchants is a big reason for hosting Christmas Open House and we encourage the community to come out and shop local to kick off their holiday shopping. Many businesses will have in-store specials and discounts, provide kid-friendly holiday crafts, and have holiday refreshments to enjoy. You can also register for the Grand Prize, compliments of Hobbs Jewelers, at each participating Christmas Open House business. The Grand Prize drawing will take place on Sunday at 4:00 pm and you do not have to be present to win.  Visit with these businesses below:

Bennett's Clothing, Boneyard Antiques, CEI Bookstore, Crawford's Gifts, Dream Key Real Estate, Epiphany Boutique, Garnet's, Hendrick's-Patton, High Cotton Arts, Hobbs Jewelers, Limestone Drug, SheaLeigh's, Pimento's, Pulse Boutique, Snapdragon Kids,   Square Clock Coffee, Toodlebugs, Trinity's, The Willow Cottage, Wildwood Deli, and U.G. White Mercantile

You can also shop the Merry Market, located at the Athens State University Center for Lifelong Learning at 121 South Marion Street and shop with local vendors:

Athens Dixie Stitchers Quilt Guild, Athens Scents, Color Street, Modern Woodman of the America, Willow Boutique, various Bicentennial Merchants