Every town or area usually has something fun going on during the holiday season, but some really make it extra special. Aiken is one of the Christmas towns in South Carolina like this, a magical place that goes all out throughout the holidays.

Starting early, at the beginning of November, an initiative of the Chamber of Commerce begins to encourage local shopping to support Aiken small businesses. Through the Buy Aiken Red Ticket Campaign, shoppers will receive a numbered red ticket for each $25 in purchases of goods or services from participating businesses. Weekly drawings will be held and cash prizes of $5,000 will be awarded.

A Fox’s Tale is one of many participating businesses. For a complete list and additional information, visit the Aiken Chamber of Commerce website.

The annual lighting of the City of Aiken’s Christmas tree downtown on Newberry Street happens in early December.

This is considered the official kick-off to the holiday season. There will also be a live musical performance, a special hello from Santa, and a countdown to the lighting of the singing Christmas tree. Refreshments will be available for purchase and parents are invited to grab a take-home craft kit for their children.

Santa and his elves are very busy with other holiday festivities throughout the season.

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for breakfast and holiday craft-making. Mrs. Claus will read Christmas stories to all the children and every family in attendance will receive a free book. Santa will be available to hear everyone’s holiday wishes! Pre-registration is required.

At the historic Willcox Hotel, a Santa one-on-one is available for guests, as well as a tuck-in by an elf at bedtime!

Look for Santa at the Christmas parades as well. Both the annual Aiken Jaycees Christmas parade and the annual Hoofbeats and Christmas Carols parade are held downtown.

You’ll also find Santa and his elves at the Night of 1,000 Lights event downtown where streets will be lined with luminaries, shops will be open late, and there will be carolers singing joyful Christmas songs.

Additional light display viewing opportunities include the annual Christmas in Hopelands event, where the Hopelands gardens are transformed into a beautiful holiday wonderland, a walk-through exhibit with over two miles of lit pathways, and holiday displays of over 100,000 twinkling lights. There’s also the annual Festival of Trees at the City of Aiken Visitors Center & Train Museum where you get to vote for your favorite tree!

For all of the crafters, there are craft shows, an ornament workshop, and a wreath-making event.

Enjoy local live holiday entertainment events including a Christmas concert by the Aiken Concert Band, The Nutcracker performance by the Aiken Civic Ballet, Home for the Holidays presented by the Aiken Symphony Orchestra, and Elf the Musical performed by the Aiken Community Theatre.

There will also be a showing of The Polar Express movie at the Amentum Center for the Performing Arts.

For additional information including dates, admission fees where applicable (some events are free!), and other details, visit The Willcox Hotel website and the Visit Aiken SC website, where you’ll also find information on a few other great holiday events, as those included here are not an exhaustive list. There is truly something for everyone in Aiken to help make the holiday season extra special.

What is your favorite type of event to experience during the Christmas season? Tell us in the comment section below!