31 events on the Aiken calendar
Annual
Battle of Aiken
February · Aiken
Living-history weekend — reenactment, vendors, a kids’ field.
Annual
Joye in Aiken
March · Downtown Aiken
Winter Colony music festival named for Joye Cottage.
Horse country
Aiken Trials
March · Aiken Training Track
First Saturday of the Triple Crown. Young horses, first time under starter’s orders.
Horse country
Spring Steeplechase — Imperial Cup
March · Aiken Steeplechase Racecourse
Second Saturday of the Triple Crown. 30,000 people, one afternoon.
Recurring
Polo at Whitney Field
Spring and fall Sundays · Aiken Polo Club, Mead Avenue
Since 1882. Bring a chair. The Willcox pours after the last chukker.
Horse country
Pacers and Polo
April · Whitney Field
Third Saturday of the Triple Crown — harness racing and polo.
Horse country
Aiken Charity Horse Show
April–May · Bruce’s Field, Aiken Horse Park
Hunter-jumper weeks that draw the circuit south.
Downtown
Hops & Hogs
May · Downtown Aiken
Craft beer and barbecue on the streets.
Recurring
Hopelands Gardens concert series
Summer Sundays · Hopelands Gardens
Blanket, basket, a band on the lawn.
Arts
Escuela Vocacional Hípica — Jockey School exhibit
Sep 1–4 · Aiken
A look at the Puerto Rican jockey school — horses, craft, and the winter-colony thread.
Recurring
Aiken County Farmers Market
Wed / Fri / Sat mornings · Williamsburg Street
Oldest food market in South Carolina. Peaches when they’re on.
Recurring
Market in The Alley
Weekly, evenings · The Alley
Vendors, supper, live music between the brick walls.
Recurring
First Friday downtown
First Friday, most months · Laurens Street
Galleries stay open. The Alley fills. A relocator’s easiest night out.
Horse country
New Bridge Polo Club tournament
Sep 8–20 · New Bridge Polo Club
Club tournament weeks — Sunday polo, a tailgate, and the field in play.
Arts
The Art of Needle and Thread
Sep 8–13 · Aiken
Textile exhibit — needlework, stitch, and slow craft.
Horse country
Aiken Fall Festival I & II
Sep 9–13 · Aiken Horse Park
Hunter-jumper weeks at Bruce’s Field. Spectators welcome.
Arts
Gallery: “Everything I Have” — Joseph Kameen
Sep 10–15 · Aiken Center for the Arts
A solo gallery show downtown.
Horse country
Stable View USHJA Hunter/Jumper In & Out
Sep 11–13 · Stable View, Aiken
Rated hunter-jumper series on the south side.
Arts
SC State Ceramics and Fired Arts Show
Sep 11–12 · 9am–4pm · Aiken
56th year. Competition, vendors, classes — come even if you don’t throw clay.
Horse country
Aiken Polo Club — Alan Corey Memorial 4 Goal
Sep 11–27 · Whitney Field
Sunday polo on Mead Avenue. Hats, lawn chairs, the Willcox crowd after.
Downtown
Live music at Good Girl Brewing
Sep 11 · Good Girl Brewing Co
Patio pints and a band. Dogs allowed.
Recurring
Drive-in movie at the Big Mo
Sep 11 · The Big Mo, Aiken
Outdoor screen, lawn chairs, a summer habit that runs into fall.
Downtown
Aiken Music Fest — Ace Monroe
Sep 12 · 7–10pm · Highfields Event Center
Nashville rock at Highfields. Tickets at the door.
Downtown
Aiken's Makin'
Sep 12–13 · Park Avenue, downtown
The city’s arts-and-crafts weekend. Second full weekend in September, every year.
Downtown
Oktoberfest
Sep 26 · 4–9pm · Newberry Street Festival Center
Craft beer, bites, and a band — lederhosen optional.
Annual
Western Carolina State Fair
October · Aiken Fairgrounds
Rides, livestock, fried everything. The county fair.
Horse country
Fall Steeplechase — Holiday Cup
October · Aiken Steeplechase Racecourse
Hats, tailgates, timber. The fall leg of the National Steeplechase calendar.
Annual
Whiskey Road Race
Nov 7 · 8:30am · Whiskey Road · South Boundary
47th year. 10K and 5K through the Horse District. Benefits the Cumbee Center.
Arts
A*CON
Nov 7 · 12–5pm · Aiken County Public Library
Family comic and pop-culture day — authors, illustrators, cosplay, workshops.
Horse country
Blessing of the Hounds
November · St. Mary Help of Christians / Hitchcock Woods
Opening of foxhunting season. Horses, hounds, and a blessing on the lawn.
Annual
Christmas in Hopelands / Night of 1,000 Lights
December · Hopelands Gardens
The gardens go gold. Walk it after dinner downtown.
Dates shift year to year. Confirm before you go. Nick Williams helps you buy the house around the corner — not a ticket.