Here are the Best Upcoming Fall Events in Aiken SC in 2023Welcome to the charming town of Aiken South Carolina, where horses have the right of way and Southern hospitality is an expectation. Nestled in the heart of the Palmetto State, Aiken is a town brimming with history, elegance, and a calendar full of exciting events that cater to all tastes and interests. Whether you are a horse enthusiast, a lover of the arts seeking captivating performances, or simply someone looking for a welcoming community to explore, Aiken has something special in store for you. Read on to discover the best fall events in Aiken, SC today.
There’s nothing like autumn in Aiken, when the cooler weather and colorful changing leaves entice us to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. However, this lovely Southern town is a dynamic and captivating destination year-round. If you are thinking about relocating to the area, contact Aikenhorserealty today. We would love to help you find your place in Thoroughbred Country!
Fall polo season is in full swing in Aiken, SC! Come enjoy a beautiful afternoon outdoors while you tailgate and socialize with friends. Feel the excitement as you watch the players and ponies skyrocket across the field. Admire the athleticism, endurance, speed, and skill of the polo ponies and pros from around the world. Attending a polo match is an experience you must try at least once when living in Aiken! Luckily there are many ways to watch:
Matches at New Bridge are open to the public on Sundays in fall. Admission is free and spots by the sideline of Field #1 (by the Clubhouse) are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Bring your own tailgate or purchase drinks and food from the Clubhouse. New Bridge Polo’s fall season runs through November 5th. See the 2023 New Bridge Fall Polo Season schedule here.
Aiken Polo Club also has matches open to the public every Sunday in fall at 2pm & 3:30pm. These matches are held on historic Whitney Field, located at 420 Mead Avenue in Aiken’s Historic Horse District. The games usually last an hour and a half to two hours. General admission is $5 per person with free parking in the sand lot next to the field. Fieldside parking (limited availability) is $50 per car. Admission to the Alan Lyle Corey Pavilion is $75 per person and includes open bar and catered food. Always check the hotline before heading to the field, especially if conditions are wet or the weather is threatening. 803-643-3611. Aiken Polo Club’s season also runs until November 5th. See the 2023 Aiken Polo Club Fall Season schedule here.
Located between Aiken and Wagener, La Bourgogne is one of the newest pro-am leagues in the area. David Meunier is the founder and owner of the venue at 1150 Coleman Bridge Road. Games are on Friday afternoons. Pavilion games every Saturday at 3 and 4:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend and there is no admission fee. See the 2023 La Bourgogne Club de Polo Fall Season schedule here.
Also, be sure to mark your calendar now for the AFM Give Me Wings 20 Goal Charity Polo Match on October 21st at 3 p.m. High goal, professional Polo returns to Aiken for the first time in nearly 20 years with a $30,000 prize. This special event is catered by the Wilcox and tickets are available for purchase online.
Did you know that you can enjoy live music every single Thursday night in downtown Aiken? Amp the Alley is a concert series featuring a local band every week. From country to rock and roll, there is something for everyone. Bring your friends, have dinner and drinks at one of the local restaurants and enjoy a fabulous night of great music. The stage is set in the Alley, at the rear of the municipal building directly across from the Taproom.
Here is a list of the upcoming performances:
October 12th at 4 p.m.: Tim Cadiere
October 19th at 6:30: Bodega Cat
October 26th at 6:30 Whiskey Run
Calling all nature lovers and history buffs! You can experience the best of both worlds at beautiful Hopelands Gardens this fall. Join Allen Riddick, Aiken’s own local historian, for a walk back in time to Aiken in the age of the Winter Colony (late 1800s). Learn about Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch, the historic properties, and the families (Rogerses and Iselins) who owned them. The History Walk will take place on Friday, October 13th. Please meet in front of the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum.
Please visit the website to register, and to view more upcoming events at Hopelands Gardens.
You can also enjoy great concerts in Aiken, SC at the Aiken Music Fest! Big Sky Revival is set to take the stage on October 13th, accompanied by special guest, She n She. A local South Carolina band, Big Sky Revival is known for blending genres of bluegrass, rock, funk, and reggae. You won’t want to miss this high energy performance!
The Aiken Music Fest is a 6-event music series held on select Saturday nights from 6 – 10 p.m. at Highfields Event Center. Each event features a top local talent followed by a headliner band that is currently touring the Southeast. Admission is just $15 per person and the concert is family friendly. Refreshments and food are available from local vendors.
When it comes to fall events in Aiken, SC, this is one you won’t want to miss! The Western Carolina State Fair is full of family fun with rides and tasty fair food. Entertainment includes ground acts, competitive exhibits and competitions, a rodeo, and a demolition derby. The fair is located at 561 May Royal Drive Aiken, SC.
Roast, shuck, eat, repeat! The Aiken Equine Rescue is proud to host the annual Mane and Shell Oyster Roast and Lowcountry Boil. Come on out for all-you-can-eat oysters, a delicious Lowcountry boil, beer and wine, live music by MP4, a raffle silent auction, and live auction. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite or at Aiken Saddlery, Equine Divine, White Rose Eclectic, JC’s Seafood and the Rescue. This is the 4th annual Mane & Shell event celebrating 17 years of transitioning horses to adoptive homes. Tickets are all-inclusive and 100% of proceeds benefit the Equine Rescue of Aiken.
Mark your calendar now for the AFM Give Me Wings 20 Goal Charity Polo Match on October 21st at 3 p.m. – late night. High goal, professional Polo returns to Aiken for the first time in nearly 20 years with a $30,000 prize. Usually, 20+ goal polo is reserved for venues like Wellington, Florida, home of the US Open. Come enjoy this incredible sport, fantastic hospitality, and the weather and culture of one of America’s most incredible ‘horse towns’.
This special event is catered by the Wilcox and tickets are available for purchase online.
Sister Hazel is an American alternative rock band, best known for their 1997 hit single ‘All For You” which reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Originating from Gainesville, Florida, the band’s style blends elements of jangle pop, folk rock, classic rock, and southern rock. See them live this October in North Augusta at the Jack-o-Lantern Jubilee!
Fall 2023 is especially exciting because The National Steeplechase Association’s final race of the season takes place right here in Aiken, SC, this year. Not your average horse race, The Aiken Fall Steeplechase Championship will determine the top trainer, rider, and horse of the year. This is one event you do not want to miss!
The sport of steeplechase racing will be celebrated for the entire week leading up to the Fall Steeplechase race. Dignitaries from every steeplechase race in the country will be in attendance for the National Steeplechase Association’s annual meeting held in Aiken earlier in the week. There will be a gala on the evening of the race on Saturday, November 18, 2023. The gala is open to the public and recognizes the nation’s best in Steeplechase. Don’t wait; Get your tickets now to the 30th running of the Aiken Fall Steeplechase!
The Blessing of the Hounds is a Thanksgiving Day tradition in Aiken, SC. Every year, residents and visitors alike gather by Memorial Gate in Hitchcock Woods to watch the timeless ceremony, which pays homage to the various traditions of foxhunting, the heritage of Aiken’s historic hunt culture, and the skilled hounds that make this sport so engaging. Observe the Blessing, officiated by a local clergyman dressed in ceremonial white robes. Then, share in the excitement as the Aiken Hounds officially kick off their hunt season. When the horn blows, all that can be heard is the sound of baying hounds and thundering hooves as horses and riders take off into the forest. Wish them well!
There is no parking at the South Boundary entrance but attendees may park downtown. Plan a 15 – 30 minute walk from downtown into the Woods. No motorized vehicles or dogs are permitted for this event. The event is free.
Directly after the Blessing of the Hounds, walk over to Banksia for a cup of holiday cheer! The annual “Bloodies and Bagels” event takes place on the grounds of one of Aiken’s famed Winter Colony cottages. Now home to the Aiken County Historical Museum, it is a wonderful place to gather for a delicious Thanksgiving Day breakfast. Come mingle with friends and enjoy complimentary Bloody Marys, assorted bagels and cream cheese, coffee, and cider.
One of the best ways to get to know historic Aiken is by taking a trolley tour. See and hear about historic homes and churches, equestrian sites, the Civil War’s Battle of Aiken, the live oak canopy on South Boundary Avenue, a guided walk through Hopelands Gardens and the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame & Museum (weather permitting), and much more.The Historic Aiken Trolley Tour departs the City of Aiken Visitors Center & Train Museum (406 Park Ave SE, Aiken), at 10 am each Saturday. Reservations are strongly encouraged, as tickets often sell out two to three weeks in advance. Please arrive by 9:45 a.m.
You can enjoy all of these fall events in Aiken, SC, when you live in the heart of it all. If you have been thinking of relocating to The Palmetto State, fall is an amazing time to come and check it out. The weather is great, new listings are now hitting the market daily, and there are so many fun events to attend. Contact Suzy Haslup (803) 215-0153 or Kathryn Siders (843) 803-8827 to set up a consultation and find your place in Thoroughbred Country. We can’t wait to welcome you!
P.S. Keep checking our blog updates for upcoming Aiken Thanksgiving events, Christmas celebrations, New Years Eve events in Aiken, SC and more!
