To all who know Athens, they know its endless small-town festivities and events year-round. For new students, they might not be aware of all that goes on throughout the year quite yet.
The Athens area and Ohio University are known for many different festivities, from Homecoming to Halloween weekend. Here's a list of what's coming this fall.
Skate Jam
For those who have a passion for skateboarding or are looking to support the local Athens skatepark, the sixth annual Skate Jam will be held Sept. 12 from noon to 9 p.m. with an admission cost of $10.
The event will have live music, local food trucks, drinks and a skate contest.
Pawpaw Festival
Following that, from Sept. 18-20 is the annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival.
This festival celebrates the pawpaw fruit, which is a native fruit to Ohio. With many trees in southern Ohio, the event will take place at Snow Fork Event Center in Nelsonville, which is just outside of Athens.
For students with their own transportation, the drive can range from 20-25 minutes. Shuttle information has not yet been released for 2026, but according to the OU website from a previous year, shuttles are available at Baker University Center* free for students to take to the festival.
This three-day celebration offers a wide variety of entertainment, live music, different food vendors, workshops and activities based around the pawpaw fruit.
Weekend passes for the festival start at $60. Friday only is $20, Saturday only is $30 and Sunday only is $20.
OU Family Weekend
Family Weekend is an event held by the university where one’s entire family can come visit and see what Athens is all about.
This year, it is the weekend of Sept. 25-27. The university offers a wide range of activities to take part in, such as sporting events, concerts and performing arts.
During Family Weekend, students have the opportunity to show off their college town. From taking a hike at Stroud’s Run to visiting the variety of local coffee shops and restaurants, there is no shortage of things for families to do in Athens.
Homecoming Week
OU Homecoming Week is Oct. 5-10. It includes a week of celebrations, including a parade to cap it off.
Homecoming is a chance for alumni to come revisit their college town and be with other alumni. Activities include Yell Like Hell at the Scripps Amphitheater. You can see the Marching 110, football team and Rufus, as well as various planned activities and arts.
The whole week is a celebration: football games, events, lots of alumni. But it all ties together Saturday morning at the parade. It showcases all different clubs and organizations, cultures, businesses and more. It is a must-do for students.
Honey for the Heart Parade
Passion Works Studio has its annual Honey for the Heart Parade in October.
Passion Works follows the creative lead of those with developmental differences to create art. They make environmentally friendly artwork and build an inclusive community.
They create art for various Athens events as well as their own, such as Community Art Night, Nelsonville Music Festival and Turn It Gold, which is in partnership with Turn It Gold OU to promote the research and awareness of childhood cancer through making art; it also participates in the Pawpaw Festival.
Along with the Athens Halloween phenomenon, it created the idea to showcase its art through costumes and puppets. The organization previously had over 2,000 community members help with this event.
This parade occurs on Court Street, right before the Athens Halloween Block Party.
Halloween Weekend
One of the most well-known OU festivities is Halloween weekend.
Students dress up, and the city of Athens hosts different events to partake in. This includes a big concert in the middle of Court Street and the Block Party, a free event open to the public.
Students living in residence halls who would like to bring guests for Halloween Weekend must pay $50 per non-OU student.
