Holiday fun: With rain ahead, what’s still on and what’s canceled?
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The CSRA is welcoming the holiday season with open arms, but some events are being rescheduled because of a rainy outlook.
Columbia County and Aiken have moved up their Christmas tree lightings to Thursday after originally scheduling them over the weekend.
In Augusta
Augusta is ringing in the holidays with a Christmas Light Up Spectacular and Tree Lighting event.
Originally scheduled for Saturday, the event has been rescheduled for 4-7 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Augusta Common.
The lighting of the Christmas tree and fireworks show will begin at 6:15 p.m. Activities will include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a train ride, a Christmas village with crafts, and the Mayor’s Christmas Card Contest. Entertainment will be provided by the Richmond County School System’s elementary, middle, and high school students.
In Evans
Columbia County has rescheduled the Christmas in Columbia event to 4-9 p.m. Thursday at Evans Towne Center Park. It will include a Sip ‘n’ Shop event with local artisans and vendors. The tree-lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. There will be no fireworks display, but Santa will be there.
The Christmas parade hosted by the Columbia County Merchants Association is still planned for 3 p.m. Sunday in the park area.
Due to the parade, there will be several temporary road closures for traffic.
In Grovetown
The city of Grovetown has canceled its Christmas parade that had been scheduled for Saturday on Horizon South Parkway and Wrightsboro Road.
The Christmas festival has been rescheduled to Dec. 8 from 5-9 p.m. It was originally scheduled for this weekend.
In Sardis
Due to the forecasted inclement weather, all parade, vendor, and tree-lighting events scheduled for Dec. 2 have been canceled.
The tree lighting will be rescheduled with details to come.
In Aiken County
The Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department will host the 35th annual downtown tree lighting from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday on Newberry Street.
It will include music, refreshments, live performances and a countdown to the lighting of the tree. Kids can stop by the craft station to create a holiday keepsake and participants will be able to purchase s’mores to roast over a fire.
The Graniteville-Vaucluse-Warrenville parade has been canceled. The GVW Fire Department Community Services says they are “heartbroken to not celebrate with you all but hoping each of you still have the merriest of Christmas with those you love!”
The Aiken Festival of Trees will be at the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum for this month.
In North Augusta
The 42nd annual Christmas parade in downtown North Augusta has been rescheduled to Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. This year’s theme is “Christmas in July.”
In Barnwell
The City of Barnwell’s Christmas Celebration and Parade scheduled for Dec. 2 has been canceled. Officials say they were unable to reschedule the parade.
There will be a tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m. on the circle by City Hall.
In Wrens
The City of Wrens Christmas Parade scheduled for Saturday has been canceled. The Food Truck Friday for this week has also been canceled due to forecasted weather.
In New Ellenton
After much consideration, city officials decided to reschedule the Christmas parade set for this Saturday to Dec. 16 at noon.
CSRA Christmas parades
- Aiken’s parade will be held on Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. in downtown Aiken.
- Columbia County will hold its Christmas parade on Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. on Evans Towne Center Bouvard. your float to enter the annual contest.
- The town of Edgefield will host its 50th parade on Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. in downtown Edgefield. Entry applications are here.
- Crosland Park is hosting its annual Christmas parade on Dec. 9. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Organizers will collect them after the parade at 1248 Crosland Drive. For more information, call Dale Couch at 803-508-8418.
- The town of Windsor will hold its parade on Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. on Cedar Lane. You can also donate holiday gifts for children to the council, supplies will be presented after the parade.
- The town of Jackson will host its parade on Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. on Highway 125 from Jackson Middle School.
- The Valley Parade will be held on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. at the Burnettown Municipal Building.
- Harlem’s Christmas parade will be held on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. in downtown Harlem.
- The city of Augusta will host its parade on Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. on Greene Streets and Telfair Street. Apply for a float.
- McDuffie County’s parade will be held on Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. on Main Street in Thomson. It will follow the Snow Party that starts at 3 p.m.
Holiday fun
Christmas at Meadow Garden will be held for two days located at 1320 Independence Drive in Augusta. The historic home of George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence will invite visitors to enjoy a candlelight holiday open house with tickets available at the door.
- Dec. 1, 2 - 6 to 8 p.m.
The 2023 Jingle Jam 10K will benefit SafeHomes Domestic Violence Center. The race will be located at Evans Town Center Park. Learn more and to run online. Evans Town Center Boulevard from Ronald Reagan Drive to Antebellum Way will be closed to all traffic, beginning at 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Dec. 2 - 8 a.m.
Christmas in Harlem Festival will include local vendors, a Twilight Parade, a tree lighting ceremony, and a showing of a holiday movie. Disney and holiday characters will also be walking around the festival.
- Dec. 9 - begins at 11 a.m.
Enjoy thousands of Christmas lights, listen to carolers, and enjoy food, games, and giveaways at The Christmas Trail hosted by The Assembly at Augusta. The event is free to the public.
- Dec. 15, 16 - 6 to 8 p.m.
Go shopping for Christmas gifts at the Holiday Market at the Marina and enjoy live music and boat tours on the Savannah River at 5th Street.
- Dec. 17 - Noon to 4 p.m.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
