Surrounded by rolling pastoral beauty and adjacent to preserved natural woodlands, residents at Anderson Farms enjoy the best of both worlds with just a 10-minute drive from thriving downtown Aiken, South Carolina, a Southern Living Magazine’s “South’s Best Small Town.”
As any local will attest to, our hometown’s reputation as one of the South’s most charming destinations goes beyond accolades and awards. With the familiar passing of Thanksgiving and the cheerful arrival of December, residents will be busy amping up the festivities and transforming our hometown into a winter wonderland of sparkling lights, spirited parades, and gift-giving fit for a Hallmark Christmas movie.
To enhance your experience at Anderson Farms and to help make your visit truly magical, we’ve curated a list of the best things to do in Aiken during the holidays!
1. Christmas in Hopelands Light Show
Hosted annually at Aiken’s historic Hopelands Gardens, this stunning exhibit of over 100,000 lights is open to the public from Dec. 9-22 and meanders over 2 miles of twinkling pathways and holiday decorations. Sip on hot cocoa or apple cider while wandering aimlessly through a dazzling tree-lit sanctuary at this free, family-friendly light show!
2. Hoofbeats & Christmas Carols Parade
Presented by local charities, The Aiken Equine Rescue and SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, this jolly holiday celebration is one of two Christmas parades held in Aiken every year! March alongside hundreds of horses, dogs, and decorated floats through downtown Aiken while the streets come alive with the clip-clop of hooves and the merry tunes of traditional Christmas carols.
3. Magical Experiences in Aiken
Some of the most memorable experiences are undoubtedly found in Aiken’s lively arts and cultural scene, with a variety of seasonal holiday concerts, ballet and theatre performances, and local art exhibitions. Watch as the Aiken Civic Ballet manifests the magic of The Nutcracker on stage or witness talented performances by The Julliard’s finest vocalists and musicians at the annual Joye in Aiken Holiday Concert!
4. Night of 1,000 Lights
Experience the best of holiday shopping on December 7th in the heart of downtown Aiken while the streets are adorned with twinkling lights, luminaries, and mistletoe! Local shops and boutiques extend their hours for gift-shopping visitors exclusively on this night and offer an array of delightful trinkets. Do not forget to savor the flavors of the season by visiting any of Aiken’s renowned opens in a new windowdining spots for a bite to eat!
5. A Taste of Aiken
Speaking of seasonal flavors, don’t forget to stop by any of the area’s local cafés and coffee shops for a hot cup of joe and warm breakfast to brighten your morning. Aiken’s temperate climate and mild winters are ideal for exploring a nearby park or nature sanctuary, with hundreds of evergreen native pine and magnolia trees creating picture-perfect scenery and ambiance!
Anderson Farms invites you to experience the joy of Christmas without the chill this holiday season. Don’t miss the magic – click below to request more information or to plan your visit today!
