The music on the outdoor stages begins on Friday, June 25th 5:00 P.M. The “headlining” artists this year are MODERN SKIRTS, PACKWAY HANDLE BAND, PERPETUAL GROOVE, BUBBA SPARXXX, KINCHAFOONEE COWBOYS and CRACKER. Other bands performing on the outdoor stages over the course of the weekend include David Dondero, Ken Will Morton Band, Stewart & Winfield, Five-Eight, Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs, Dave Barbe & The Quickhooks, Spring Tigers, The Incredible Sandwich, Vinyl Strangers and so many more! All performances on the outdoor stages are open to all ages and are free of charge to the public.

On Thursday, June 24th at 8:00 PM, The Flagpole Music Awards will be held at the historic Morton Theatre presenting the winners of the Flagpole Magazine’s annual reader’s choice poll. The performers and presenters will be announced the week before the show.

This year, close to 200 bands and artists will perform over the course of festival. ATHFest has expanded to include TWO main stages located on Washington Street at Pulaski in front of the 40 Watt Club, and on Washington Street at Lumpkin near The Georgia Theater.

KIDSFest, which includes its own performance stage, will be held on Hull Street on either side of Washington Street on Saturday, June 26th and Sunday, June 27th from 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Music appropriate for all ages will be presented, including Pam Blanchard & the Sunny-Side Up Band, Sara O’Brien & The Honeybabes, Boone Hood, Chris The Bucketman and more. KIDSFest encompasses arts and crafts, Sam’s Path Petting Zoo, a Taekwondo clinic, inflatables and the Spider Jump. A small fee may apply to some activities.

ATHFest FILMFest at Ciné begins on June 23rd. Film events include: Music Video Show, a local video showcase; TeenScreen, featuring a lineup of diverse short films made by filmmakers under 18; Athens Picture Show, presenting locally produced short and feature length films; and Rock Docs, a series of new rock documentaries including the world premiere of “Vic Chestnutt Celebration;” the Athens debut of “Of Montreal: Family Nouveau;” “The Doors: When You Are Strange;” and more. Tickets for admission discounted with an AthFest wristband.