Spring is one of the most captivating seasons in Aiken, SC. The temperate weather is accompanied by blooming trees and flowers, making it the ideal time to enjoy a walk through Hopeland Gardens or a ride in Hitchcock Woods. Spring is the peak season in Aiken, and there are a plethora of outdoor events to attend including horse shows, art and music festivals, polo matches, golf tournaments, and much more. Come out, enjoy the sunshine, and mark your calendar now for these upcoming spring events in Aiken, SC!
If you are thinking of relocating to Aiken, right now is a wonderful time to visit and enjoy any of these exciting spring events in Aiken, SC. While you’re in town, be sure to contact Suzy Haslup for a personalized tour of Aiken. An avid horsewoman with years of real estate experience, Suzy would love to answer any questions you may have about a specific home, local neighborhoods, schools, or the different equestrian communities.
Pacers and Polo is the third jewel of the Aiken Triple Crown. Come out to Powderhouse Polo Field and enjoy a fabulous day of polo, complete with an opening ceremony, 6 chukkers, divot-stomping, an awards ceremony, Silent Auction (VIP) and more. This event is sponsored by the Aiken Polo Club in conjunction with USC Aiken. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. and the match kicks off at 1 p.m. Please visit the USC Aiken website for more information about this year’s Pacers and Polo event.
For over a century, the annual Show in the Woods has wowed spectators and set the standard for many local top-tier equestrian competitions. The horse show takes place right in the heart of Hitchcock Woods. The show begins at 9 a.m. each day and runs into late afternoon.
The 107th annual Horse Show in the Woods will be held March 31st – April 2nd. Friday is Opening Day, featuring the $750 Aiken Hounds Welcome Stakes, Hunter divisions, and the $1000 Aiken Horse Show Open Handy Hunter Stakes. Saturday is “family day” which includes children’s divisions: leadline, costume contest, family class, Junior Hunter Division and the $500 Junior Stakes. On Sunday, there will be everything from foxhunting to sidesaddle divisions and more. The event is free for those who hike into the woods, or there is a $10 parking fee per day ($25 to park all 3 days). Hiking in is not encouraged via the South Boundary entrance due to vehicular traffic. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch, or purchase a ticket to reserve a catered lunch under the tent. There will be a garden bar along the side of the tent, a wonderful Silent Auction, concessions truck and merchandise tent. Sponsorship packages are also available.
Don’t miss the Jumping Branch Farm Horse Trials April 1 – 2. Sign up online to compete, or come out and watch two fabulous days of dressage, showjumping, and cross country from BN- P levels. Specialty prizes will be awarded to the highest ranking Thoroughbreds in each level. Suzy Haslup, Aikenhorserealty is offering $250 in prize money, a plated leather halter and saddle pad.
The Masters Golf Tournament is one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world. During the first full week in April, spectators from around the globe turn their attention to the Augusta National Golf Club, where blooming azaleas, pristine fairways, and towering pines set the stage for a competitive week of championship golf. Only the pros are invited to compete at the Masters!
This multi-day tournament has scribed many moments in golf history. For many, attending is a once in a lifetime experience. Between seeing renowned golf legends and spotting celebrities in the crowd, the Augusta National is a beautiful and exhilarating place to visit. Don’t miss a chance to take a stroll down the famous Magnolia Lane and journey to Amen Corner, the historic 3-hole stretch that pros fear and fans adore.
Practice Rounds Tickets and a limited number of Daily Tournament Tickets are available this year. Practice Rounds and Daily Tournament tickets are sold in advance, through a selection process, only after receipt of an online application. For more information about tickets and pricing, visit the event’s website.
There’s no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than a polo match in Aiken, SC. The Aiken Polo Club’s spring season will run from April to mid-June at the historic Whitney Field. Enjoy a wonderful day of horses, friends, fashion, and food. Whether you mingle beneath the pavilion or tailgate beside the field, this is bound to be your new Sunday afternoon tradition. Please visit the Aiken Polo Club’s website to see a list of upcoming matches. First games typically start at 2 p.m. and second games begin at 3:30 on Sundays.
New Bridge Country Club is another fabulous venue hosting 8-goal polo matches this spring. The 2023 schedule includes the USPA Regional President’s Cup (May 31 – June 18), The Pete Bostwick Memorial (May 10 – 28), Tommy Hitchcock Memorial ( April 21 – May 7), and the Louise Hitchcock Women’s Tournament 8-14 Goal ( May 28 – June 11).
A new pro-am polo venue is opening this spring: La Bourgogne Club de Polo. They have a limited amount of pavilion boxes available for 2023, so please contact @liv.stringer.berube on Instagram to reserve yours now. The polo club is located at 1150 Coleman Bridge Rd Wagener, SC.
Mark your calendars! The Opening Reception of the Remi Bellocq and Sandy Glynn Exhibit is Sunday, April 23rd at 1:30 p.m. at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum. Come see these talented artist’s paintings and equestrian cartoons, peruse the museum, and afterwards enjoy a stroll through beautiful Hopelands Gardens. To see examples of the artist’s work, please visit Sandy Glynn’s website and Remi Bellocq’s website.
The 49th Annual Hopelands Concert Series runs from April – June on Monday evenings. The series will kick off on April 3rd, 2023 in Hopelands Gardens. Bring a lawn chair or a picnic dinner, and enjoy an evening of live music beneath the live oaks, deodar cedars, and magnolia trees. The family-friendly concerts are free. In April, concerts start at 6:30. In May and June, concerts will start at 7 p.m.
Bring your four legged friends to a Doggie Derby Day! Woofstock is a pet-friendly, family-friendly event held in Citizen’s Park. There will be dog race competitions, delicious food and great music, face painting and balloons, exhibitors and dog demos, and adoptable pets from the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Prizes will be awarded for the dog race competitions, and contests include Best Costume, Best Trick, Best Look Alike, and Best Kisser. All proceeds benefit the Aiken County Animal Shelter.
When it comes to Aiken, SC, horse events, the Spring Classic is one to add to your list! Competitors from near and far travel to Aiken to compete at the USEF Premier Level of show jumping. Events take place at Highfields Event Center daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sign up to compete or come watch and cheer on your favorite competitors!
Tickets are now available for the annual Kentucky Derby Party fundraiser for the Equine Rescue of Aiken! Aikenhorserealty is honored to sponsor this exciting event. Please join us at for an Aiken tradition, “Run for the Roses” at Newberry Hall, May 6th from 4-8 p.m. Tickets purchased in advance are $50 and include food, non-alcoholic beverages, and a raffle ticket for fabulous prizes. There will also be a hat contest and silent auction. Tickets are available locally at Aiken Saddlery, Equine Divine, Equine Rescue, and Dover Saddlery.
Our charming Southern town welcomes the world’s finest artists from Julliard and beyond during Joye of Aiken. From smooth jazz to ballet and performing arts, get ready to see performances from some of the most talented musicians, dancers and actors in the world this spring. Mark your calendar now.
The 13th annual Joye in Aiken will take place in various locations throughout town in June. Ticket sales are now open, so make sure to reserve your spot today!
Shop local and support small businesses! Everyone knows that the Aiken County Farmers Market has the tastiest fruits and vegetables in town. Stock up on fresh produce, delicious baked goods, meat, honey, or dairy products. Take your time browsing the handmade crafts or pick up a bouquet of spring flowers to brighten up your home. The market is open year-round every Tuesday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
You can experience all of these spring events in Aiken, SC, when you live in the heart of it all! If you’re considering relocating to the area, contact Suzy Haslup today. She is also active in the community as a member of two fox hunts, Chairperson of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Committee for the City of Aiken and a board member of the Racing Hall of Fame Museum in Hopelands Gardens. Between her experience as a Realtor® and horsewoman, Suzy will ensure that you find the equestrian property of your dreams, whether that’s an idyllic farm out in the country, land, or a home in Aiken’s Historic Horse District.
Are you ready to make your dream of living in Aiken, SC, a reality? Contact Suzy to begin your home search now!