Three Christmas light displays in and around Augusta have 2026 dates: all walk-throughs. Two are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 7:30 p.m. at Downtown Aiken Christmas Tree Lighting. They’re in Aiken and Grovetown. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.
Last checked · How we choose
Tap a filter to narrow it down. Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.
Checked Oct 30 on the official page
Report a problem
Little-kid take: Free, so it’s an easy one to try for a short visit.
Checked Oct 30 on the official page
Report a problem
Little-kid take: Free, so it’s an easy one to try for a short visit.
Checked Oct 30 on the official page
Report a problemNothing is lit yet. Lights of the South opens first, on Nov 20.
In early December the sun sets around 5:20 p.m. in Augusta (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.
7:30 p.m. start · plan about an hour
6–7:30 p.m.
9:30 p.m. start · plan about an hour
6–9:30 p.m.
No drive-thru with 2026 dates in town yet.
Picks: Lights of the South, Christmas in Hopelands, Downtown Aiken Christmas Tree Lighting
Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.
PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.
| Display | Price | Little kids | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights of the South | Kids 3 and under free; see the site for tickets | Kids 3 and under free | Walk-through |
| Christmas in Hopelands | Free; donations welcome | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Downtown Aiken Christmas Tree Lighting | Free | See the venue | Walk-through |
See all 3 Santa outings in and around Augusta: breakfasts, photo spots and evening visits, with 2026 prices.
Santa in Augusta →
Yes. Christmas in Hopelands and Downtown Aiken Christmas Tree Lighting are free in 2026.
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (three here) are better for kids who want to run around.
The earliest evening starts: Downtown Aiken Christmas Tree Lighting at 7:30 p.m. and Christmas in Hopelands at 9:30 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.
Little ones get in free at Lights of the South (Kids 3 and under free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.
Keep planning: This week in Augusta · Augusta city guide · Visiting Augusta
One short email every Thursday evening with what works for ages 0–6 in Augusta that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.
By month
Things to do with kids in Augusta in November · Things to do with kids in Augusta in December
More holiday outings
The Nutcracker with kids in Augusta: 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.