TODAY
The Beech Island Historical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the History and Visitors Center, 144 Old Jackson Highway. Bobby Blackwell, an Indian trader reenactor and author, will be the guest speaker. He will discuss his book, "Carolina Indian Trade, the Story of the European Trade with the Southeastern Indians from 1670-1760." For more information, 706-833-3651.
Ensemble Aubade, will perform at noon Tuesday at St. Paul's Church, 605 Reynolds St., Augusta, as part of Tuesday's Music Live. Admission is free. For more information, visit tuesdaysmusiclive.com.
An online book club for adults will meet from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. Tuesday. The book selection for November is "Kindred" by Octavia E. Butler. Sign up is at the information desk. For more information, visit abbe-lib.org.
Greater Aiken SCORE will hold an online webinar titled, "Are You Ready to Start a Business?" from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday. For more information or to register, visit csra-score.org.
The Awesome Aiken Al-Anon group meets from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at First Christian Church, 900 Kerr Drive.
Nar-Anon Aiken For Comfort Family Group will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays in person in the conference room near the main sanctuary at St. John's United Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St. S.W. and via Zoom. For more information, email momofoscar4@gmail.com.
Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step group for men and women, meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Cedar Creek Church, 3001 Banks Mill Road.
WEDNESDAY
The Senior Men's Club will meet at noon Wednesday at Woodside Country Club, 1000 Woodside Plantation Drive. The guest speaker will be John Boyette, executive editor of the Aiken Standard. His topic will be Public Service and the Investigative Journalism Fund. For more information, call Rick Endler at 803-6497697 or email afendler@bellsouth.net. Reservations are required. The cost is $25.
The Cedar Creek Ladies Club will meet at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Cedar Creek Community, 2584 Club Drive. The program will be Here's to the Red, White and Blue, Honoring America's Heroes. Linda Caldwell will be the guest speaker.
A career fair to recruit substitute employees for the positions of substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, food service and custodians within Aiken County public schools will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Aiken County Public School District headquarters, 1000 Brookhaven Drive.
THURSDAY
The North Augusta Artist Guild will hold an opening reception for its annual Fall Into Art Show & Sale from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Arts and Heritage Center, 100 Georgia Ave., North Augusta. The show will run through Dec. 16.
The Aiken Standard will hold its fourth annual Mistletoe and Merlot event Thursday and Friday at Newberry Hall, 117 Newberry St. S.W. A preview party will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer and desserts. The first 200 people at the preview party will receive a souvenir wine glass and cheese board. The Friday, Nov. 19, event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers all day shopping from unique local vendors. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tickets.aikenstadard.com, call 803-648-2311 or email mcaldwell@aikenstandard.com.
FRIDAY
The first Aiken Steeplechase Oyster Roast will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the new racecourse located at 2020 Richland Ave. E. For more information, call 803-648-9641 or visit www.aikensteeplechase.com.
NOV. 20
A Pass the Salt Food Bank will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 20, at Central Baptist Church, 1652 Wire Road.
A free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Crown Kingdom Cultural Center, 720 Edgefield Road, North Augusta. Vaccines will be available for those ages 5 and older. No ID, insurance or appointments are required. For more information, call 866-365-8110.
New Beginning Baptist Church will hold its second Thanksgiving dinner from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, in the parking lot of Rack & Grill, 522 York St. Hot meals will be served and there will be a free clothing giveaway. Ernest Thomas is the pastor. For more information, call Ruth Thomas at 803-270-0311, Shanythia Thomas at 803-979-0185 or Shakira Hankinson at 803-508-0832.
NOV. 21
Morning worship services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at Central Baptist Church, 1652 Wire Road. A Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch will be held immediately following the service. Everyone is welcome to join for food and fellowship. Please bring a dish, drink or dessert to share.
NOV. 22
A Chef's Cooking Class will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, at Rose Hill, 221 Greenville St. N.W. Participants will learn to prepare turkey two ways, cranberry sauce, Southern-style green beans and cranberry cake. The cost is $65. For more information visit, rosehillinaiken.com.
NOV. 23
Greater Aiken SCORE will hold an online webinar titled, "Take the Stress Out of Business Planning" from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23. For more information or to register, visit csra-score.org.
NOV. 25
Bloodies and Bagels will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 25 at the Aiken County Historical Museum, 433 Newberry St. S.W. The event will be free to attend and open to the public, but its new organizer, Mental Health America of Aiken County, will be accepting donations. In addition to Bloody Marys and bagels, apple cider, coffee and water will be served.
NOV. 27
An Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at Aiken Equine Rescue, 532 Glenwood Drive. The event will feature tours, raffle prizes, refreshments and a barn plan reveal. Local items will be available for purchase. For more information, visit aikenequinerescue.org.
The Farmers Market Christmas Craft Show will be held Nov. 27 at the Aiken County Farmers Market, 115 Williamsburg St. In addition to handmade items, live wreaths and Christmas trees will be available for purchase.
Christmas in the Backcountry will be held Nov. 27-28 at the Living History Park, 299 W. Spring Grove Ave., North Augusta. The buildings will be open for visitors to tour, and there will be demonstrations.
NOV. 28
A gospel singing will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Midland Gospel Singing Center, 705 Martin Smith Road, Gilbert. The Whisnants and te Mark Trammell Quartet will perform as part of the Home for Christmas Tour. Admission is free. Social distancing will be observed. A love offering will be accepted. For more information, visit midgsc.com.
NOV. 30
The North Augusta Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, in Calhoun Park.
Greater Aiken SCORE will hold an online webinar titled, "The Money Side of Business" from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30. For more information or to register, visit csra-score.org.
DEC. 2
Night of 1,000 Lights will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, in downtown Aiken. Experience luminaries lining the streets as shops stay open late and offer holiday treats, drinks and music for a festive evening out. This is a free event.
DEC. 3
The Christmas Craft Show in Aiken will be held Dec. 3 and 4 at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 Whiskey Road. The show will open at 9 a.m. each day. The show features handmade crafts and goodies made by talented artisans from across the Southeast.
The 33rd annual Downtown Tree Lighting will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, on Newberry Street in downtown Aiken. Kick off the holiday season with a live musical performance, a special hello from Santa, and a countdown to the lighting of the singing Christmas tree. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Parents can grab a take-home craft kit for children.
The fifth annual Festival of Trees will be held Dec. 3-31 at the City of Aiken Visitors Center & Train Museum, 406 Park Ave. S.E. The festival kicks off with a trees lighting at 4 p.m. Dec. 3. Residents can vote for their favorite tree.
The Aiken Community Theatre will present "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 and 2 p.m Dec. 5 at the Amentum Center for the Performing Arts, 126 Newberry St. S.W. For more information, visit aikencommunitytheatre.org.
The Town of Wagener Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3.
DEC. 4
A gospel singing will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Midland Gospel Singing Center, 705 Martin Smith Road, Gilbert. Matt Tollison and King's Cause will perform. Admission is free. Social distancing will be observed. A love offering will be accepted. For more information, visit midgsc.com.
"The Polar Express" will be shown at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 at the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum, 406 Park Ave. S.E. Reservations must be made in advance, and the cost is $5 per person. Watch the movie on the deck at the depot, wear pajamas, and bring pillows and blankets. Popcorn will be available. The movie begins at 6:30 p.m.
The Nutcracker Tea will be held at Dec. 4 an 5 at the Aiken County Historical Museum, 433 Newberry St. S.W. For more information, visit aikenballet.org.
The Town of Wagener Christmas Parade will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, along Main Street in Wagener.
The New Ellenton Christmas Parade will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 4. The parade will start from the assembly area at Ellenton Village on Main Street, continue up Main Street, and will end at St. Paul United Methodist Church.
The GVW Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4. The parade will start in the parking lot of Leavelle McCampbell Middle School located at 82 Canal St., Graniteville. It will proceed through Graniteville on Highway 191 all the way to the traffic light at Highway 421 in Warrenville. If the parade is canceled for any reason it will be held on Dec. 18 at 3 p.m.
DEC. 5
Joye in Aiken’s first “Joye to the World!” Holiday Concert will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at the Etherredge Center, 471 University Parkway. For more information, visit www.joyeinaiken.com.
The North Augusta Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, along Georgia Avenue in downtown North Augusta.
The Town of Windsor Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. The parade begins at Cedar Road and ends at the Old School/Park with festivities. For more information, email csimmonswindsortownclerk@gmail.com.
The Town of Jackson Christmas Parade will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, on Highway 125 in Jackson.
DEC. 6
Christmas for the Birds will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the the Living History Park, 299 W. Spring Grove Ave., North Augusta. Participants can create decorations for the birds to eat throughout the winter.
DEC. 7
The Aiken Concert Band will perform its Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Etherredge Center on the campus of USC Aiken, 471 University Parkway. Ticket are $10 and $15. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit etherredgecenter.universitytickets.com.
DEC. 8
DayBreak Adult Care Services will hold its Alzheimer's Disease Support Group at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior and Youth Center, 841 Edgefield Ave. N.W. The meeting will adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. For more information, visit daybreakaiken.com or cal 803-226-0288.
DEC. 11
Breakfast and a Book with the Clauses will be held fat 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior and Youth Center. The event will feature breakfast, a craft and a holiday story read by Mrs. Claus. Each family will receive a copy of the book. The cost is $5 per person. Registration is open through Dec. 9 or until filled. For more information or to register, stop by the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 Whiskey Road; the Smith-Hazel Recreation Center, 400 Kershaw St. N.E.; or the Lessie B. Price Center or online at cityofaikensc.gov/prtregistration.
St. Mary's School will hold a Gingerbread Dash 5K from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 11, at Citizens Park, 651 Old Airport Road. Check-in begins at at 8:30 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m. Registration is $20 for adults age 18 and older, $15 for children and free for those age 5 and younger. Registration includes time tracker, a string bag if registered before Monday, Nov. 15, and a bounce pass. Bounce passes are $5 for those not racing. Runners are encouraged to wear an ugly Christmas sweater or dress as any Christmas character. For more information or to register, visit st.maryscholaiken.com.
The 30th annual Christmas in Hopelands event will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 11-23 in Hopelands Gardens. The walk-through exhibit features over 2 miles of lighted pathways and illuminated displays. There is no cost to enter the event or to utilize the shuttle service. All guests should use the shuttle service; shuttles run continuously from Citizens Park, located at 1060 Banks Mill Road, from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. Handicap parking is available at 135 Dupree Place. No animals are allowed on shuttle vehicles.
The Aiken Symphony Orchestra will present its "Home for the Holidays" concert at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Etherredge Center, 340 Scholar Loop. The afternoon will be filled with holiday melodies as well as the added bonus of including two additional Aiken groups, the Aiken Choral Society and the Aiken Civic Ballet. For more information, visit aikensymphonyorchestra.com.
The Midland Valley Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11. It will start at Augusta Road and Lion’s Trail and end at Augusta Road and Old Depot Street in Langley.
The first Christmas Parade in Crosland Park will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. For any groups that want to participate (churches, fire department, ect.), contact Dale Couch at 803-508-8418 or Bob Fry at 803-649-3622.
DEC. 12
The annual Aiken Jaycees Christmas Parade will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, in downtown Aiken. The parade will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit aikenjaycees.com.
DEC. 14
The Aiken Symphony Orchestra will present its "Messiah" concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at St. Mary Help of Christians Church. For more information, visit aikensymphonyorchestra.com.
DEC. 17
"The Nutcracker" ballet, presented by the Aiken Civic Ballet, will be held Dec. 17-19 at the Ettheredge Center, 471 University Parkway. For more information, visit aikenballet.org.
DEC. 18
A Holiday Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Rose Hill, 221 Greenville St. N.W. For more information, visit rosehillinaiken.com.
Santa at the Depot will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum, 406 Park Ave. S.E. The event is free. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 803-293-7846.
The Hoofbeats and Christmas Carols Parade will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, in downtown Aiken. Stop include Trinity on Laurens and The Willcox.
