On Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 3 to 7 p.m., everyone is invited to sip and shop in downtown Athens to celebrate the holiday season. Now in its fifteenth year, the Athens Main Street Sippin’ Cider Festival, presented by Dream Key, 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 or 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.
Musical performances include:
- Athens Jazz Band on the east side of the Limestone County Courthouse, 4 to 5 PM
- Athens High School Choir on the east side of the Limestone County Courthouse, 5 to 6 PM
- Lindsay Lane Christian Academy Performing Arts with Myra Carter on the west side of the Limestone County Courthouse at 4:30 PM
- Cade Flannery in Merchants Alley from 4 to 6 PM
The list of participating merchants is as follows:
- Athens Eye Care
- Baw Baw’s BBQ
- BeanBeans Boutique
- Bennett’s Clothing
- Boutique Bliss
- Broken Brush Art Studio
- Coffee Off The Square
- Corkshire Butcher/Salty Cod
- Crawford’s Gifts
- Dottie Jewel Clothing
- Driftwood Dragonfly Tea Shop
- Eagle Creek Wealth Management
- Epiphany Boutique
- Exit Realty Downhome
- Frame Gallery of Athens
- Frank’s Good Stuff
- Hendricks Patton-Rancl
- Hi-Plane Coffee/UG White
- Honeycomb CPA
- Hyatt & Sims/Cruise Planners
- Irons & Ales
- LaunchBox at Athens State University
- Li’l Mazzara’s
- Limestone County Young Farmers
- Lucia’s Cocina Mexicana
- Mozza Pizza
- Old Black Bear
- Pimentos
- Rad Rags
- Reconstruction South Vintage Goods
- RE/MAX Platinum
- Shepherds Clothiers
- Snapdragon Kids
- Southern Table
- Sterling Group
- Studio 16 Cigar Lounge
- The Renae Co.
- Toodlebugs
- Trinity’s
- Village Pizza
- Wildwood Deli
Athens Main Street would like to thank our supporting sponsors for this event. Listerhill Credit Union, the Launchbox at Athens State University, and Kings Seasonal Lighting.
