Lights of the South in Grovetown opens Nov. 20, 2026; Santa's Southern Lights at Sara's Nov. 27 to Jan. 3; Riverwalk and Common lights; Hanukkah Dec. 4-12.
Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address, and through November and December as organizers post dates. Each listing links to the organizer’s own page; the city’s parade and tree lighting have their own page, Christmas parade and tree lighting.
The two big light shows near Augusta both have 2026 dates: Lights of the South in Grovetown opens Friday, Nov. 20, and Santa’s Southern Lights at Sara’s in Trenton, South Carolina, runs Nov. 27 to Jan. 3. Downtown, the Riverwalk and the Augusta Common are lit for the season. Hanukkah runs from sundown Friday, Dec. 4, to Dec. 12.
Before you go
- Lights of the South (Grovetown): tickets and dates
- Santa’s Southern Lights (Trenton, S.C.): Sara’s Farm Adventure
- City holiday events: Augusta 311, dial 3-1-1 or 706-821-2300
- Weather: National Weather Service forecast for Augusta
Light displays
| Display | Where | 2026 dates | What is there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights of the South | 633 Louisville Road, Grovetown | Opens Friday, Nov. 20 | Hayrides, Christmas Tree Maze, Santa |
| Santa’s Southern Lights at Sara’s | Sara’s Farm Adventure, Trenton, S.C. | Nov. 27 to Jan. 3 | Walk-through trail, Santa, campfire |
| Augusta Riverwalk | Downtown, on the Savannah River | Through the season | Lit pathways and the fountain |
| Augusta Common | 836 Reynolds St. | Through the season | Light displays, the city tree |
Lights of the South, in neighboring Columbia County, starts its 2026 season Friday, Nov. 20. Visitors ride a hayride or walk through, and there is a Christmas Tree Maze, a Candy Land playground, marshmallow roasting, Santa’s house for photos and Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen for hot food. Parking is free, and the organizer says lines are shorter Sunday through Thursday (Lights of the South). The 2026 hours and closing date are not posted yet; in 2025 it opened every night from 6 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 30, with tickets from $16, WRDW reported.
Santa’s Southern Lights at Sara’s is a walk-through light trail on the farm in Trenton, South Carolina, about 30 minutes from Augusta, with Santa, a campfire, farm animals, photo spots and holiday treats (Sara’s Farm Adventure).
Downtown, Visit Augusta’s holiday photo guide points to the lit Riverwalk paths and fountain, the light displays on the Augusta Common and Sacred Heart Cultural Center, the former Catholic church whose arches and stained glass are decorated for the season.
Santa visits
- Lights of the South and Sara’s both have Santa on site on their open nights.
- The city’s Light Up Spectacular on the Augusta Common had Mr. and Mrs. Claus in 2025, along with school choirs and bands, cookie decorating and the tree lighting with fireworks at 6 p.m. The 2026 date is not set; it will be on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, and the last candle is lit Friday, Dec. 11; the holiday ends Saturday, Dec. 12 (Hebcal). Chabad of Augusta holds a public menorah lighting each year; in 2024 it was in Evans, WJBF reported. The 2026 time and place will be on the Chabad of Augusta site, and we will add it here.
Holiday markets, shows and the parade
- Holiday markets and Small Business Saturday: our Black Friday and holiday shopping guide.
- The Augusta Christmas Parade and the Light Up Spectacular: Christmas parade and tree lighting.
- New Year’s Eve: New Year’s Eve in Augusta.
The city around Christmas
- Augusta city offices are closed Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24-25, under the city’s 2026 holiday schedule.
- Trash pickup: Christmas falls on a Friday, so Friday routes are collected Saturday, Dec. 26 (holiday schedule). Live trees go out as yard waste in the first two weeks of January.
- The Augusta-Richmond County Public Library is closed Dec. 24-27.
- Augusta Transit closes at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and runs no buses on Christmas Day (Augusta Transit).
- Richmond County schools are on Christmas break Dec. 23 to Jan. 5 (2026-27 calendar).
Frequently asked questions
When does Lights of the South open in 2026? Friday, Nov. 20. In 2025 it opened nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 30, closed on Christmas Day, with tickets from $16.
Where can I see Christmas lights in Augusta? Downtown, the Augusta Riverwalk and the Augusta Common are lit for the season. The big displays are just outside the county: Lights of the South in Grovetown and Santa’s Southern Lights at Sara’s in Trenton, South Carolina.
Where can kids see Santa in Augusta? At Lights of the South and Santa’s Southern Lights on their open nights. In 2025 Mr. and Mrs. Claus also came to the city’s Light Up Spectacular.
When is Hanukkah 2026? From sundown Friday, Dec. 4, to Saturday, Dec. 12.
What this means for you
- Go to Lights of the South on a weeknight; the organizer says lines are shorter Sunday through Thursday.
- The Riverwalk and the Common are free and lit all season.
- Friday trash moves to Saturday, Dec. 26, in Christmas week.
Related: Thanksgiving in Augusta and things to do this month.
Have your say