Last year offered a preview of the bustle of fall in Athens, but the months ahead offer more promise of delivering a packed season of events. Some festivals are returning for the first time in three years, and others are just getting started. Below, check out Flagpole’s guide to festivals happening this fall, and look for more in-depth coverage in the upcoming issues.
TRASHFEST: In celebration of Heffner’s second album release, the band has curated a mini-festival inside the 40 Watt featuring two indoor stages loaded with local and regional indie and punk rock. Featured performers include Heffner, Heat, Basically Nancy, The Echolocations, Klark Sound, Zoo Culture and MAK with a dance party afterwards courtesy of DJ Maeam. Aug. 13, 7 p.m.–1 a.m. at 40 Watt Club. $15–$20.
59 X FEST: 59 X Records’ third annual festival features punk and alternative rock bands from Athens and Atlanta. This year’s performances include a special comeback from local punk outfit Burns Like Fire, debuting songs off its latest album Always in Trouble. The Carolyn is co-headlining with support from Rosie and The Ratdogs, The Killakee House, Noise Mountain, Viper Club, Mishapen and Way Past Cool. Sept. 3, 3:30 p.m. at Akademia Brewing Co. $15–$20.
AQUEMINI MUSIC FESTIVAL: Encouraging diversity and empowering minority creators, this inaugural festival will include performers, vendors, food, fashion, art and more. The lineup features the Splitz Band, Aquatic Soul, Natti LoveJoy Band, Diamond Elyse, Kalena & GSG Band, Misnomer, Ishues, Domino 787, Candy Morgan, Guaranteed Money, Charlie Beatz, Greg R&B, Luckie, Quezzy Poet, Motorhead 2x, Farin, Derty Lingo, Mack2Tone, LLK and more. Sept. 4, 2–9 p.m. at Southern Brewing Co. $10, children are free.
ATHENS RAP FEST: Bag Talk Talent and Gue$$ present this hip hop exclusive lineup with artists Kxng Blanco, RR, Gloxkboy Fat, KFamouz, Young Esco Da Don, Gue$$ and Friends, Lil Ken, Dre Carr and more. DJ Sublime will be taking care of the vibes for the night. Sept. 9, 7 p.m.–1 a.m. $10.
SEPTEMBER DAYS FEST: Back for a second year, a portion of proceeds from this event benefit Goodmood, a nonprofit emergency aid for touring artists. Day one features Flipturn, Hotel Fiction, Neighbor Lady, Well Kept, A.D. Blanco and The Getaway Company. Day two is packed with performances by Vision Video, T. Hardy Morris, Girlpuppy, Heffner, Lighthearted, Wim Tapley & the Cannons, Five Eight, CannonandtheBoxes, The Echolocations, Drew Beskin & The Sunshine and The Head. Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. and Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. at Southern Brewing Co. $20–$35, children are free.
PRIDE FEST: Welcoming and inclusive to all, this LGBTQIA+ community celebration also highlights local resources and activities. Enjoy live music, performance art, drag shows and vendors with more details coming soon. The organizers, Athens Pride & Queer Collective, will also organize a week of smaller events leading up to the festival. Sept. 17, 12–8 p.m. at Terrapin Beer Co.
NORTH GEORGIA FOLK FESTIVAL: Head to the park with a blanket and chairs for music, art, food and other activities. There will be performances by Rebecca Sunshine Band, Ain’t Sisters & Danielle Howe, Bichos Vivos, Athens Mountain Singers, Art Rosenbaum, Hogeyed Man, Veronika Jackson, The Lucky Jones, MrJordanMrTonks, Cicada Rhythm, Tin Cup Prophette, Marion Montgomery and Glyn Denham, and Fester Hagood. Sept. 24, 12–8 p.m. at Sandy Creek Park.
WILDWOOD REVIVAL: Festival in the form of an upscale camp-out experience, Wildwood offers an artisan market, performance art, yoga, brunch and more. This year’s music lineup includes The Drive-By Truckers, Jenny Lewis, The Wood Brothers, John Moreland, Elizabeth Cook, Suzanne Santo, Early James, The Bones of J.R. Jones, The Heavy Heavy, The Packway, Handle Band, Zach Person, J.P. Harris, The Pink Stones and Leon III. Sept. 30–Oct. 2 at Cloverleaf Farm. $106–$485.
CLASSIC CITY BREW FEST: This long-running event gives everyone from casual drinkers to seasoned beer aficionados an opportunity to sample craft brews from Athens and the general region. Location and details are still to be announced. Oct. 1.
LATINXFEST: During National Hispanic Heritage Month, the community comes together to celebrate and share the food, music, art and dance of Latinx cultures with the larger community. The festival aims to highlight the contributions of the immigrant community in Athens through artistic expression and recreation. This marks the festival’s first return since 2019. Oct. 1 in downtown Athens.
PORCHFEST: Historic Athens’ largest event combines the city’s musical and architectural history for an afternoon of community discovery. Hosts in Athens’ walkable intown neighborhoods lend their porches to a variety of bands and artists for outdoor performances, providing a large sample of what the local music scene has to offer. Oct. 2, 1–8 p.m. at various neighborhoods.
WILD RUMPUS PARADE AND SPECTACLE: Wear your spookiest or kookiest Halloween costume and join the parade that winds through the streets of downtown, cheered on by music performances lined up along the way. The parade ends in a massive late-night outdoor dance party with performance artists adding to the festivities. Oct. 29 in downtown Athens.
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