Things to Do This Summer Across the CSRA and Columbia, SC

Summer is here, and around the CSRA and up the road in Columbia, there's no shortage of ways to fill a weekend. Here's a fresh roundup of concerts, ball games, markets, and outdoor activities worth adding to your summer plans this year.

Catch a Ball Game

Minor league baseball is one of the best deals around here. Tickets are cheap, and most home stands include a fireworks night.

Augusta GreenJackets at SRP Park (North Augusta)

The Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves plays 66 home games at SRP Park this season. The schedule includes 13 fireworks nights, including the July 4th Independence Day Celebration. Daily promotions and theme nights keep things lively all summer, plus there's a Junior Jackets Kids Club for the youngest fans. See the full schedule.

Columbia Fireflies at Segra Park (Columbia)

The Kansas City Royals' affiliate is celebrating their 10th anniversary season. Home games run April through late August. The Fireflies wrap up their season hosting the GreenJackets August 18-30 in the I-20 Rivalry series. Grab tickets here.

Outdoor Concert Nights

Pack a lawn chair and a cooler, and you're set. These free or low-cost concert series run all season across the CSRA and Columbia.

Aiken Music Fest at Highfields (Aiken)

Aiken's summer concert series brings touring acts to a beautiful outdoor venue with local food trucks. The Restless Natives play June 6 and The Soulfeathers headline July 11.

Hopelands Concert Series (Aiken)

Free Monday night concerts at Hopelands Gardens through late June. Bring picnic dinners and non-alcoholic beverages. Parking is at the Green Boundary Club on Whiskey Road.

Music in the Park (North Augusta)

Thursday evening concerts at Maude Edenfield Park on Brookside Avenue, hosted by the North Augusta Arts Council. Free admission, picnics welcome.

Explore North Augusta Concert Series at Sharon Jones Amphitheater

Free Saturday night concerts at the riverfront amphitheater in downtown North Augusta. Pair the show with dinner along Riverside Village beforehand.

Moonlight Music Cruises on the Augusta Canal

Friday evening Petersburg boat rides along the canal with live music onboard. Tickets and dates at the Augusta Canal Discovery Center.

Saturday Farmers Markets

Fresh produce, local honey, food trucks, dogs in bandanas. The basics of a good Saturday morning.

Augusta Market at the River

Saturdays from 8 AM to 2 PM at 8th Street along the Riverwalk in downtown Augusta.

Evans Towne Center Park Market (Evans)

Saturdays at The Plaza in Evans Towne Center Park.

Soda City Market (Columbia)

Open every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM along Main Street in Columbia. Ranked the #1 farmers market in America by USA Today.

Veggie Park Farmers Market (Augusta)

Tuesdays from 4:30 to 7 PM on Broad Street, April through December.

Beat the Heat: Tasty Treats

When the temperature climbs past 95, sometimes the best thing on the calendar is ice cream.

Pink Dipper (North Augusta)

An old-fashioned soda shop with classic sundaes and floats. Worth the drive across the river.

Sno-Cap Drive-In (North Augusta)

A North Augusta institution. Burgers, root beer floats, classic drive-in vibes.

Flannigan's Ice Cream (Downtown Aiken)

A local favorite scoop shop right in the middle of downtown Aiken.

Farmhaus Burger (Augusta)

For adults wanting something a little more grown-up, Farmhaus serves boozy milkshakes alongside one of the best burger menus in town.

Family Outdoor Fun

You don't have to drive far to get on the water or stretch your legs in the woods.

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park (Augusta)

1,150 acres of wetlands a few minutes from downtown Augusta. Free admission, open dawn to dusk year-round. Bring binoculars and keep an eye out for river otters and the occasional alligator sunning itself.

Augusta Canal Kayaking with Savannah Rapids Kayak

Rent a kayak or sign up for a guided paddle along the historic canal. Their events page has full moon paddles and themed rides throughout the summer.

Saluda Shoals Park (Columbia)

A riverfront park with kayaking, paddleboarding, miles of trails, and a Splash Water Playground perfect for kids on hot afternoons.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (Columbia)

One of the top-rated zoos in the country, with a zipline, carousel, rock-climbing wall, and the seasonal Riverbanks After Hours concert series during the summer months.

Festivals and One-Off Events

A few summer events worth adding to the calendar:

Augusta Pride Festival

Dates: June 26 – 28, 2026

Though the 2026 parade is officially canceled due to downtown construction, the celebration continues at the Augusta Common! Kick off the weekend Friday night with the massive "Beats on Broad" outdoor dance party, followed by the free main festival on Saturday featuring live music, entertainers, and local vendors.

Juneteenth Augusta Festival

June 19, 2026

Head over to 308 Hale Street from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM for a free, family-friendly celebration hosted by Band of Brothers Augusta. Enjoy local vendors, health checks, kids' activities, and a massive lineup of live entertainment!

Aiken Horse Park Summer Classic

June 10 – 21, 2026

Experience a classic Southern summer tradition at Bruce's Field in Aiken. This massive, multi-week equestrian event is a fantastic outing for families and horse lovers alike.

Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival

September 2026

As summer winds down, this massive, award-winning festival takes over downtown Augusta. Expect a colorful celebration featuring global cuisine from over 20 countries, live music, dance performances, and a massive juried art show.

Got a Summer Move or Big Home Project on the Calendar?

Summer is also peak moving season. If you have a renovation on the books or a move coming up, Go Mini's can help. Our portable storage containers get dropped right in your driveway so you can pack at your own pace, with no rental truck and no double-handling at a storage facility across town.

Ready to get started? Get a free instant quote on a Go Mini's container, or give us a call at (706) 659-9747 and we'll talk through your timeline.