Fright Fest 2025: Athens’ Night of Spooks, Flavor, and Fun

Fright Fest 2025: Saturday, October 25, 2025

On October 25th, downtown Athens will transform into a Halloween wonderland for the first-ever Fright Fest, an all-new event created by Main Street Athens to bring the community together for a night of spooky, family-friendly fun. Designed as an activity- and entertainment-forward festival rather than a vendor-heavy one, Fright Fest aims to give residents and visitors alike a reason to celebrate Halloween downtown again — with something for everyone to enjoy.

“We wanted to create a spooky environment for downtown that was also family-friendly, where people could come together and participate in Halloween in a new way,” said Maggie Blaine, Marketing Director for Main Street Athens. “This event is about community connection through creativity, fun, and a shared love of the season.”

A Night Packed with Entertainment and Activities

The festival will take over Market Park, Knight Park, and North White Street, creating three themed zones full of attractions, performances, and interactive experiences.

Fright Fest kicks off at 4:30 PM in Market Park with a performance by Inspiration Dance’s “Wednesday Addams”number, followed by Wendy’s Dance Studio presenting a “Thriller” performance to launch the Costumes for CASA Run at 6:45 PM. Afterward, families can cozy up under the pavilion for a showing of Hocus Pocus, while night owls can return at 10:15 PM for Scream on the big screen.

Across downtown, Knight Park will host the First Annual Scarecrow Competition, a creative collaboration between Tennessee Wesleyan University, local businesses, and community groups. Voting opens October 24th at 9:00 AM and closes October 25th at 9:00 PM, so festival-goers are encouraged to stop by and cast their vote for the most imaginative display.

Meanwhile, on North White Street, the energy picks up with multiple attractions:

The Vampire Café inside The Food Hub, a sit-down dining experience transformed into a gothic, candle-lit restaurant from 5–10 PM.
Photo ops with the Mystery Machine and Ghostbusters vehicles.
The Monster Mash Dance Party at The Shade Tree beginning at 8 PM, hosted by East Tennessee Entertainment.
Animatronic Alley and the Haunted Barbershop hosted by Eddie’s Bourbon & Blades and Ink Theory Tattoo Studio.
Local food trucks, including The Iron Pig, Mimi & Papa’s Crepes, Spice Queens, and TN Pop Shop.

Inside the Vampire Café

The highlight of the night for food lovers will be The Vampire Café, a limited-time transformation of The Food Hub into a shadowy Italian bistro with a full-service dinner experience.

Guests can enjoy entrees like Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan, Meatball Stroganoff, and sides of Caesar Salad or Butternut Squash, served with warm breadsticks. Dessert options include Caramel Apple Cheesecake or Chocolate Lava Cake, with festive drinks served in blood bags to complete the eerie atmosphere. The café will operate from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, offering an “Olive Garden–style” dining experience with table service, themed décor, and moody lighting.

Community Collaboration at Its Best

One of the most exciting collaborations for Fright Fest comes from two Main Street Athens members — Eddie’s Bourbon & Blades and Ink Theory Tattoo Studio — who are joining forces to turn the barbershop into a Haunted Barbershop.

Ink Theory artists will be providing flash tattoos, temporary tattoos for kids, and piercings throughout the evening, while Eddie’s will serve themed drinks after 8 PM. Piercings are available for guests 16 and up (with a parent or guardian present for minors) and tattoos for those 18 and older. Both cash and ID are required for services.

“This is exactly what Main Street Athens is about,” said Blaine. “Local businesses coming together to create something special — experiences that can only happen here in Athens.”

Festival Sponsors and Supporters

Fright Fest wouldn’t be possible without the help of sponsors and community partners who share Main Street Athens’ mission of revitalizing downtown. Special thanks go to DENSO, Truist, and Friendly City Festivals for their continued support, along with partners The Arts Center, City of Athens, Eddie's Burbon and Blades, Ink Theory Tattoo Studio, Lauyrn Smith Photos, and East TN Entertainment.

Join the Fright Fest Celebration

Whether you’re looking for a scare, a good laugh, or just a night to enjoy the Halloween season, Fright Fest 2025 has something for everyone. From spooky photo ops to themed dining and live entertainment, this first-year event marks the beginning of a new Athens tradition.

For more information, visit mainstreetathenstn.org or follow Main Street Athens on Facebook for updates.

You can also listen to this week's episode of Main Street Moments to hear more about Ink Theory and what is going on this weekend!

Main Street Moments