The scenery in Aiken, SC is breathtaking in the spring. There's no better time to explore this beautiful city than while azaleas and camellias are all in bloom. Come see for yourself! Aiken in May is vibrant and one of the best times of year to visit. Read on to discover more about Aiken!
POLO and THE AIKEN CHARITY HORSE SHOW!
For a true Aiken experience, you must attend a polo match! Watch the eight chukkers of polo and stomp the divots during half-time at New Bridge on May 11 – 29. With 600 exhibitors, The Aiken Charity Horse Show is held daily until May 15th on an intimate field in the center of the celebrated Horse District, where riders from the youngest lead line toddlers to the strongest Grand Prix competitors can compete on the best quality surfaces.
Aiken is a haven for music lovers! Enjoy a night under the stars at the Aiken Music Fest on June 4th, or stroll through the Alley to listen to Amp the Alley on Thursday nights. Pack a picnic and see the Hopelands Concert Series on Monday nights. If you want to experience a classic ‘50s hits, visit the Aiken Community Theatre to see The Marvelous Wonderettes on May 14, 15, 19, 20, 21. Reserve a seat at The Etherredge Center to for the season-ending finale, “Bravo Broadway” on May 14th! Be sure to reserve your tickets this month for the Joye in Aiken performance “Jazz Explosion” concert on June 23rd for the excitement of a fifth fabulous Juilliard-trained artist with the return of Riley Mulherkar and fellow Juilliard alumni Mathis Picard, Dan Chmielinski and Bryan Carter for another thrill ride, with saxophonist Alexa Tarantino joining the stellar lineup. The Aiken Choral Society hosts their spring concert, “Sing Out America” on May 15th celebrating their 50th year.
THE AIKEN COUNTY FARMERS MARKET
The Aiken County Farmers Market is kicking off in May and June with special events! The Aiken County Farmers Market is open at its historic location on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and the Aiken Master Gardeners will be at the market on May 21st to answer your questions about gardening. The Market in the Alley kicks off in June on Thursday nights with live music, farm-fresh produce, artisan goods, and food & drinks from downtown restaurants.
Explore Aiken's breathtaking trails on a Pedego Bike Tour! Explore the City-Wide Arboretum Trail that includes everything within a 4-mile radius of downtown. The trail includes exploration through the use of your mobile cellular device to learn about the tree represented by that specimen. Nine beautiful private gardens await your visit to the Aiken Garden Show in historic Aiken on May 13th and 14th. These tour gardens are well-kept Aiken secrets ranging from formal to woodland, small to large, decades-old to fairly new. The Aiken Racing Thoroughbred Hall of Fame Museum has reopened to the public. For those who have not visited the museum, Aiken's trained horses who have gone on to become national champions are enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Make plans for the Juneteenth Celebration held at The Center for African American History, Art, and Culture on Saturday, June 18!
Explore everything from Aiken’s beautiful parkways to breathtaking trails at Hopelands Gardens. Get in touch with nature on 2100 acres of Hitchcock Woods. Can you Outwit the Kit? Aiken’s newest fox hunt invites sleuths of all ages to find six bronze kits savoring some of the city’s most popular spots. Travel amongst the stars during programs for all ages at the DuPont Planetarium. The observatory is open after regularly scheduled planetarium shows on Saturday evenings; weather and dark skies permitting.
Pamper your palate and try the new Pub at Cedar Creek! Nestled in the middle of the beautiful Cedar Creek neighborhood, this restaurant offers a menu with a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, steak, and more made from scratch using the freshest in-season ingredients.
Check out our website for a full list of what to do, where to eat, where to stay.