Christmas Open House

Athens Christmas Open House, November 18-20

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Athens Christmas Open House, organized by the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce and Spirit of Athens.  The Athens Christmas Open House kicks off the holiday shopping season beginning Friday, November 18 through Sunday, November 20.

We are excited to bring ice skating to downtown Athens.  The ice rink, which will be lo-cated on Marion Street in front of the Limestone County Courthouse in downtown Athens, will be open for skaters on Friday from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  It will cost $5.00 per person to skate.

In addition to skating, Christmas Open House is a wonderful opportunity to kick off your holiday shopping!  32 merchants in Athens are participating in this year’s Open House!  Participating businesses will offer in-store specials, refreshments, and door prizes.  Shoppers can also enter at each participating business to win the Christmas Open House Grand Prize, a Tacori Sterling Silver, Black Onyx ring compliments of Hobbs Jewelers.  The drawing will be held on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at the Athens State University Center for Lifelong Learning at 121 South Marion Street.  The winner does not have to be present to win.  For merchants located outside of downtown, be on the look-out for the Christmas “Elf on the Store Shelf.”  If you find an elf, bring him to the Chamber on November 21 and 22 for a special prize.  For a complete list of participating merchants, visit the Chamber website,

And, what’s Christmas Open House without Santa!  Santa will arrive by firetruck to down-town Athens and will be at the Athens State University Center for Lifelong Learning where kids of all ages can meet with Santa and take a photo with him.  

Santa will be available for photos on Friday from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.  Kids can also write their Christmas letters to Santa and place them in his magical North Pole mailbox at the center.

Other activities during Christmas Open House include carolers and entertainment, Tacky Holiday Sweater Contest, a visit from Frosty and Rudolph, the Merry Market featuring a variety of direct sales vendors and artisans and Santa’s wrapping station offering complimentary wrap-ping from purchased made at participating businesses during Christmas Open House.

We hope you make plans to enjoy this family friendly event for a weekend of shopping and yuletide fellow-ship.

For more information on the event Click Here. It will be an event you don’t want to miss!!