From local events to festivals, here are some top reasons to visit this region every season.

Winter

• Taking place near Aiken, Christmas in Aiken it’s a magical chain of events. Some of the holiday celebrations include Nutcracker Teawhere local children get an up-close look at the annual Nutcracker performance at the Aiken County Historical Museum and Night of 1000 lightswhere the streets of downtown Aiken are lit with holiday decor and some stores are open late offering holiday treats, music and drinks.

• Christmas in Hopelands is a touring exhibition featuring over 3 miles of lighted pathways and lighted displays at Hopelands Gardens. The Roland H. Windham Performing Arts Stage hosts concerts and shows. There will also be hot cocoa and roasted marshmallows for everyone. During the two-day event, holiday shoppers will be able to find unique, local, handmade items Christmas craft show at the H. Odell Weeks Activity Center.

• Exceptional Aiken Hoofbeats and Christmas Carol Parade sees horses and their riders in their best holiday outfits riding down Laurens Street.

• Enjoy First day of the hike at Aiken State Park in Windsor on New Year’s Day.

• Aiken camellia show takes place every year in February, except for three days Aiken Antiques Show and Sale took place at the Aiken Center for the Arts.

• The annual edition is hosted by the Aiken Black Historical Committee Black History Parade every February on the streets of downtown Aiken.

• Two-day Battle of Aiken Every February, a living history re-enactment takes place on Powell Pond Road commemorating the historic Civil War battle.

Spring

• In March Racing with a Bruce McGhee Commemorative Harness are held at McGhees’ Mile. Horses compete by pulling two-wheeled carriages called sulkies.

• Spring obstacle course in Aiken is the second installment of the Aiken Triple Crown and one of the largest events taking place in the city. Horses race on a grass racing surface by jumping.

• Joy in Aiken The music and performing arts festival boasts a broader space encompassing artists, genres and performances. With tickets and some free performances.

• During Champions Week, numerous performing and visual artists line the sidewalks in downtown Aiken Horses and Art Walk courses exhibit and sell your paintings, sculptures and photos.

• Discover exceptionally beautiful gardens, showcasing both design creativity and interesting plant selection combinations Garden show in Aiken in May.

• The Aiken Visitor Center and Railroad Museums host: National Train Day celebrations taking place every year in May, combined with train rides for children.

Summer

• Aiken Memorial Day Parade is one of the only Memorial Day parades in South Carolina. It takes place on the last Saturday in May and commemorates fallen soldiers and includes a variety of military-themed floats.

• Residents can enjoy drinks and a barbecue while doing so Hops and pigshosted by the Aiken Downtown Development Association this summer. The avenue in downtown Aiken will be filled with booths and booths from small businesses and vendors from across the CSRA during Farmers’ Market on the Avenue.

• Annual fundraising dinner that helps support the facilities and operations of the Audubon Silver Bluff Center and Sanctuary. Guests take part in a silent auction, eat dinner and go to the stork ponds Storks and traffic jams to watch and photograph birds such as forest storks.

• Aiken Arts is alive is the Aiken Arts Center’s annual open house featuring live entertainment, crafts, children’s activities, artist demonstrations and more. Children can discover that teaching and learning is fun Camp invention at USC Aiken.

• Celebrate and remember the emancipation of enslaved Americans during Aiken’s time June teeth celebration. Events take place in Founder’s Park and on the grounds of the Center for African American History, Art and Culture, featuring local food vendors, small businesses and live entertainment.

Autumn

• With the arrival of the fall season, Aiken County hosts numerous fall festivals, including: Festival in Sassafras in Burnettown, Atomic City Festival in New Ellenton, Ridge Spring Harvest Festival and Hook and cook in Jackson.

• Apple Festival brings favorite autumn fruits to the Saint Methodist Church. John. The event includes apple treats, twice-loved treasures, used rose clothing, a silent auction, a bookworm corner and children’s activities.

• Jack-O-Lantern anniversary is a two-day outdoor festival held on Georgia Avenue in north Augusta and is free. The festival includes live music concerts with famous artists on both evenings.

• Two-day arts and crafts festival Aiken is working takes place along Park Avenue in downtown Aiken and features crafts, food and performances.

• Aiken Oktoberfest takes place at the Newberry Street Festival Center in downtown Aiken and features craft and German beer, live music and college football on the big screen.

Music festivals

• Story time takes place at The Rye Patch in spring and fall. The read-aloud series aims to instill a love of reading in children, and families can receive a book to take home.

• Long awaited Hopelands Gardens Concert Series takes place from April to June. Guests are asked to bring a deckchair or blanket to sit on. Picnic dinners welcome. Admission is free.

• Music lovers can party on Thursday evenings during Strengthen the Alley. Nearby restaurants have teamed up with sponsors to bring a series of outdoor concerts with live music to downtown Aiken from March through October.

• Aiken Music Festival is a music series consisting of six events taking place on Saturdays at the Highfields Event Center in Aiken. This series extends from summer to autumn.