Winter break is probably the quietest time of the year here. Court Street at night is all lit-up for the holidays, and it’s beautiful, but noticeably bereft of the usual throngs of students bar-hopping and having fun. Every year when spring comes around, it’s almost like uptown is reborn.
And it’s not just kids wearing shorts the very first day it gets above 50 degrees in March; it’s students and locals alike emerging from their heated homes to get back to the active social life that makes Athens such a special place. Here’s a quick guide to things we have to look forward to as the flowers start to bloom again:
Spring/Summer events in Athens for 2024 include:
- 30 March: Appalachian Understories Signs of Spring Bike Tour
- 1-6 April: Ohio University’s Global Arts Festival
- 6 April: Blacksheep Bootcamp Hosted by Army National Guard
- 14 April: Athens Ohio Marathon & Half-Marathon
- 7-8 June: Starbrick Music Festival
- 15 June: Boogie on the Bricks
- 12-20 July: Ohio Brew Week
- 26-28 July: Nelsonville Music Festival
Fests Happening in Spring of 2024 (Sorry, Parents!)
Students are eager to get back out and party when spring comes around. OU students have been fest-ing for decades – OU even used to sponsor one. Fest Season means the end of the school year is on the horizon, and it’s warm enough to have fun bar-hopping and house-partying again. Once April hits, there’s some kind of fest going on nearly every weekend.
There are several social media accounts students can follow that keep everyone updated on the best ways to let loose after a long week of papers and exams. So far, the 2024 schedule includes:
- 22 March: Milliron Fest
- 23 March: Mill Fest
- 12 April: Congo Fest
- 13 April: High Fest
- 19 April: Palmer Place Fest
- 20 April: Palmer Fest
It’s important to remember when partying at these events to keep alcohol consumption to a safe limit, never let drunk friends leave with their car keys, and don’t light any couches on fire – if you know, you know.