Tickets on sale now for Christmas at The Classic Center in downtown Athens

ATHENS, Ga. – Tickets are on sale now for the second annual Christmas at The Classic Center festival in downtown Athens on Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21.

The festival is a fun filled wonderland featuring ice skating, a Festival of Trees, pictures with Santa, a Santa’s workshop full of crafts for kids and more!

Part of the proceeds benefit Extra Special People, a nonprofit in Watkinsville, Ga., that strives to enhance the lives of young people with developmental disabilities in nine Northeast Georgia counties.

Come out and skate on The Classic Center’s 17,000 square foot ice rink – the only one of its kind in Athens. Tickets are $12 per session during skate only hours (includes skate rental). The festival general admission price will also be charged if skating during festival hours. For a complete list of festival hours and skate only hours, please visit ClassicCenterChristmas.com.

General admission to Christmas at The Classic Center is $3 per person. This admission charge includes entry to the following activities:

· View 50 beautifully decorated Christmas trees in the Festival of Trees, presented by Zaxby’s.

· Santa will be taking a break from his busy schedule to visit The Classic Center! Come visit him and tell him what you would like for Christmas any day of the event. Photos will be available for purchase.

· Santa’s Workshop will be full of crafts for kids and lots more! Come create holiday crafts such as ornaments and cards, as well as a special toy.

· Local bakeries and restaurants will be displaying their professional gingerbread house creations. Come out to vote on your favorite!

· Get crafty with your Christmas shopping at our Handmade Holiday Market! Come see and purchase some of the best handmade holiday crafts in Northeast Georgia.

On Thursday, Dec. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., there will be a closing reception for the Festival of Trees during which guests can bid on the 50 trees in the silent auction. Proceeds from the auctioned trees will benefit Extra Special People. Guests will be treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres, dessert and drinks. Tickets for the closing reception are $25 per person.

Families can also enjoy a special Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 13 or Saturday, Dec. 20 from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. Tickets to Breakfast with Santa are $20 per person, and include general admission to the festival and ice skating.

For tickets, a complete list of festival hours and more information, visit www.ClassicCenterChristmas.com or call The Classic Center box office at 706-357-4444.