Why the US and Canada celebrate Thanksgiving on different days
Thanksgiving is beloved and widely celebrated in both Canada and the United States.
unbranded – Lifestyle
Thanksgiving is in a few weeks followed immediately by the holiday season. That means fall festivals and turkey giveaways sandwiched between Christmas present markets, light shows, and opportunities to meet up with Santa Claus.
Here are more details on these and other autumn activities as well as holiday season openers coming to the Augusta area:
Fall festivals and events
Kids Night In! Harvest Hoedown is 6-9 p.m. Nov. 8 at Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta. Those ages 2-12 will be able to make scarecrow hats, do a fall leaf craft, and enjoy apple cider and donuts. Those interested must RSVP for $10 at onrealm.org.
Boondock Farms’ Fall Festival is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9 in Jackson, SC. There will be produce vendors, craft food items, artists, arts and craft vendors, musicians and food vendors. Gates open at 8 a.m.
The Maize at Steed’s Dairy in Grovetown has a 5-acre corn maze, hay rides, kid’s zip line, pony cart rides, petting zoo, and concessions. Open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 1-7 p.m. through Nov. 24. General admission is $12 per person and $9 for military, seniors, and large groups. For more info, go to steedsdairy.com/corn-maze.
Catholic Church of the Most Holy Trinity’s Fall Festival is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 9 in downtown Augusta. There will be food trucks, games, a dunk tank, vendors, live music, a silent auction, a pie baking contest, and tours of the ornate church. Proceeds will help their stained glass window restoration efforts.
Belvedere Elementary Fall Carnival is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16 in North Augusta. There will be a hayride, cake walk, petting zoo, live entertainment, and plenty of food. Admission is one canned/boxed food item per person. Tickets for the various activities are $1.
Aiken Fall Steeplechase Championship is Nov. 23 in Aiken. It will top trainer, jockey, and horse of the year. Tickets start at about $42. For more info, go to aikensteeplechase.com.
Thanksgiving fun
Augusta Dream Center’s Thanksgiving Meal & Turkey Giveaway is 5-6 p.m. Nov. 24 in Augusta. Those who would like to volunteer to work the event can sign up at augustadreamcenter.churchcenter.com. Those who want to donate a turkey can pay $40 at app.securegive.com.
The annual James Brown Turkey Giveaway is 8 a.m. Nov. 25 at May Park in Augusta. Those interested in getting a turkey must register ahead of time 9-11 a.m. Nov. 9 and 16 at the park and must bring a current state ID, power bill, or current lease agreement.
Top Dawg Tavern’s Friendsgiving Party is Nov. 27 in Augusta. Happy Hour and “Whiskey Wednesday Features” are 4 p.m. to close. There will also be $9 burger specials, “Spiced Apple Kentucky Mule” specials, and live music 7-11 p.m.
Capri Lounge’s Thanksgiving Potluck is 6 p.m. Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving) in Augusta. There will be sign up sheets at the lounge.
Early holiday happenings
Evans on Ice’s opening night of the season is 5-9 p.m. Nov. 14. This is an ice skating rink placed in the middle of Evans Towne Center Park in Evans. Anyone can enjoy it and lessons are available for purchase. Tickets and other info is available at evansonice.com.
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet is 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Miller Theater in downtown Augusta. Tickets start at about $41 and are available at etix.com.
Harlem High Marching Band’s 3rd annual Holiday Vendor Fair is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at the high school. There will be vendors, food trucks, concert performances, and kids activities.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas is 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center in Evans. The remaining tickets start at about $65 at ticketmaster.com.
Sacred Heart’s Holiday Market & Guild Bake Sale is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at the cultural center’s great hall in downtown Augusta. There will be Christmas decor, gift ideas from local and regional vendors, homemade baked goods, and free gift wrapping. Lunches and dinner casseroles will be available for pre-order by calling (706) 799-1440 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Payment can be made by phone or in person with cash or check. Free and open to the public.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Bell Auditorium in Augusta. There will be plenty of cirque acts like sleight-of-hand jugglers, skippers, and acrobatics. Tickets start at about $44 at ticketmaster.com.
Lights of the South’s opening night of the season is 6 p.m. Nov. 22 at the rural attraction in Grovetown. The headliner is the light trail featuring luminous superheroes, Biblical scenes, Christmas characters, and more on a trail that can be walked through or ridden through on a hay ride. There will be snacks available and Santa’s taking pictures. Tickets are available at lightsofthesouth.com.
Santa’s Southern Lights at Sara’s is Nov. 22 through Dec. 31 at the farm in Trenton, SC. There will be a walkable trail of lights, food trucks, pig races, live music, treats, photo ops with Santa, a light show, and a camp fire with s’mores. More details will become available closer to time at sarasfarmadventure.com.
Shea Butter Empowerment’s Christmas Festival is 1-4 p.m. Nov. 23 at Bernie Ward Community Center in Augusta. There will be photos with Santa, musical chairs with Mrs. Claus, and vendors. Toy donations will be accepted. Admission is free.
Merry Mischief Holiday Festival is 2-8 p.m. Nov. 23 at Back to Nature Garden Center in Augusta. There will be a “Winter Wonderland” trail, more than 40 vendors and food trucks, photo ops with Santa and his friends, a scavenger hunt, craft workshops, hot chocolate station, and ornament making stations. Tickets are $20 at the door.
Ugly Sweater Christmas Family Fun Night is 6-9 p.m. Nov. 23 at Evans Towne Center Park. There will be an ugly sweater contest, food trucks, live music, Christmas lights, and Will Ferrell’s classic “Elf” will be screened.
