Live music will once again fill downtown Athens as Athens Main Street rolls out a packed lineup of events for spring and summer 2026.
The organization announced two returning music series, the Merchants Alley Happy Hour Music Series and Fridays After Five, bringing weekly performances, food and family-friendly activities to the city’s downtown district.
The Merchants Alley Happy Hour Music Series will kick off April 24 and run each Friday through late June from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The outdoor series, presented by State Rep. Danny Crawford (R-Athens), will feature local and regional acts in the Merchants Alley area.
The spring lineup includes performances by Limestoners on April 24, Nix Side Hustle on May 1 and The Cadillacs Band closing out the series on June 26.
Later in the evening, Fridays After Five will take place on select Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. near the Limestone County Courthouse.
The event series will include live music, food trucks, a kids zone, DJ entertainment and extended hours for downtown shops and restaurants.
Headlining acts for the 2026 Fridays After Five series include Juice on April 24, Maclin & Co on May 29, the Matt Prater Band on June 26 and the Velcro Pygmies on July 31.
Organizers say several dates, including April 24, May 29 and June 26, will feature both events, offering a full evening of entertainment from Merchants Alley to the courthouse square.
“This is a really special year for Athens Main Street, and these two series reflect everything we’ve been building toward for two decades,” said Tere Richardson. “Downtown Athens has always had a great sense of community, and there is nothing quite like live music to bring people together.”
Richardson said the continued growth of the events reflects both community support and the city’s evolving downtown.
“Twenty years ago, Athens Main Street was just getting started, and now we have two incredible live music series that fill our streets and alleyways all spring and summer long,” she said.
Both series are free and open to the public, with organizers encouraging residents and visitors to explore downtown businesses while attending the events.
