ATHFEST MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
June 23-25, 2023
music * arts * kids
AthFest Music & Arts Festival
AthFest is an annual free, three-day festival that celebrates Athens, GA’s vibrant creative culture, featuring local and regional musicians and visual artists. Thousands of people flock to the streets of historic downtown Athens each AthFest to experience live music by artists from a variety of genres, enjoy local artwork, and soak up the vibe of one of America’s coolest cities. Locals mingle with out of towners while music fills the air and art, food and fun fill the streets.
The festival includes three free outdoor stages with live music performances, a block-long Artist Market with dozens of visual artists, artisans and makers, and a block-long KidsFest area to make sure even our youngest fans get in on the music and art fun!
After the free outdoor stages wrap up Friday and Saturday nights, the official AthFest Club Crawl kicks into gear. Music venues and clubs will host lineups filled with local music. You can enjoy them all with an AthFest Club Crawl Wristband that allows you to skip the cover at all official venues, both nights.
AthFest raises money for the nonprofit AthFest Educates, which awards grants to support music and arts education for K-12 students in Athens.
2023 AthFest Music & Arts Festival
The 2023 AthFest Music & Arts Festival will take place in downtown Athens, GA from June 23rd – June 25th, 2023. The annual celebration of Athens’ creative scene is a multi-day, free, outdoor festival including live performances on three outdoor stages, an artist market, KidsFest, food and retail vendors, and beer gardens.
Outdoor Festival Hours:
- Friday from 5 p.m. –10 p.m.
- Saturday from 12 p.m. –10 p.m.
- Sunday from 12:30 p.m. –8 p.m.
Location: Washington Street between Pulaski Street and College Avenue, and Hull Street between Washington Street and Hancock Ave.
AthFest Performer Information
AthFest 2023 will predominantly feature Athens-based or Athens-affiliated acts, showcasing the incredible talent of the Athens, GA music scene that has been lauded as one of the best indie music scenes in the world. The submission to play process closed March 1, 2023. Lineup announcements will start at the end of March!
AthFest Artist Market Information
The Artist Market at the 2023 AthFest Music & Arts Festival will focus heavily on local artists, craftspeople and makers. All handmade mediums are welcome. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2023.
AthFest Vendor Information
The block in front of the main stage of the AthFest Music & Arts Festival features sponsor booths, retail vendors, the AthFest Merchandise Tent, and food trucks all with a beer garden in between!
Click below to learn more about being a vendor at the AthFest Music & Arts Festival
KidsFest Information
KidsFest is a block-long area of the AthFest Music & Arts Festival with the KidsFest Stage hosting performances by and for young people. The UpNext Showcase features middle and high school aged musicians/bands and takes place on the KidsFest Stage on the Friday night of the festival from 6pm-9pm.
If you are an Athens area children’s musician, band, or performance group and are interested in performing at KidsFest, or middle or high school aged performer(s) interested in performing in the UpNext Showcase, email: [email protected]