On Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 4 to 8 p.m., everyone is invited to sip and shop in downtown Athens in celebration of the holiday season. Now in its fourteenth year, the Sippin’ Cider Festival, presented by Dream Key Real Estate, offers an evening of shopping, singing and other fun holiday activities while sipping on winter’s favorite drink.

During the Sippin’ Cider Festival, participating merchants prepare and offer complimentary sample tastings of their favorite hot cider recipe. Cider enthusiasts will vote by ballot for their favorite, and the cider receiving the most votes wins the coveted Cider Cup and bragging rights for the year.

While sipping on cider, guests can tackle their Christmas shopping and browse for unique holiday decorations. Local businesses and restaurants will be joining in the merriment with festive window displays, holiday-themed specials and extended hours, making it the perfect opportunity to support local shopping while celebrating the season. The list of participating merchants are as follows:

• Antiques on Jefferson
• Athens Alehouse & Cellar
• basic.
• BeanBeans Boutique
• Bennett’s Clothing
• Boutique Bliss
• Broken Brush
• Cotton Roe Boutique
• Crawford’s Gifts
• Crowning Touch
• Donna McCown Innovative Realty Solutions
• Dottie Jewel Clothing
• Driftwood Dragonfly Tea Shop
• Eliza Boutique
• Epiphany Boutique
• Exit Realty Downhome
• Frame Gallery of Athens
• Frank’s Good Stuff
• Hendricks Patton-Rancl
• High Cotton Arts
• Hi-Plane Coffee/UG White
• Hyatt & Sims/Cruise Planners
• Irons & Ales
• LaunchBox
• Li’l Mazzara’s
• Liz & Co.
• Lucia’s Cocina Mexicana
• Mozza Pizza
• Old Black Bear
• Pimentos
• Rad Rags
• Ro’s Grille
• Salty Cod
• Shepherds Clothiers
• Snapdragon Kids
• Southern Table
• Southern Throne
• Studio 16 Cigar Lounge
• Sweetest Things Tea Room
• That’s SO Art
• Toodlebugs
• Trinity’s
• Village Pizza
• Wildwood Deli

Sippin’ Cider is a free event hosted by Athens Main Street. For more information, visit https://athensmainstreet.org/sippin-cider/