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Summer is here with Augusta-area festivals, outdoor concerts, and more fun in the Sun

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Schools is out and so is the sun, which means summer is here. This will be a peak time for outdoor entertainment, which the Augusta area will have plenty of from festivals and farmers markets to outdoor concerts and food trucks. There will also be multiple holidays bringing even more festivities including the 4th of July, Juneteenth, and Pride Month.

But the summer in Georgia is bound to get pretty hot, which is why there is also all kinds of indoor entertainment including a wrestling match, free or discounted movie nights, and a range of shows.

Here are more details on these and other things-to-do this summer:

Food trucks, fun-filled outdoor festivals

Columbia County’s Summer Beach Blast returns 5-10 p.m. June 1 at Evans Towne Center Park in Evans at 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd. There will a temporary beach, volleyball, food trucks, live beach music, kiddie pools, and drinks. Admission is free.

Grovetown Summer Jam is 5-10 p.m. June 1 at Liberty Park in Grovetown at 1040 Newmantown Rd. There will be live bands, water slides, a dunk tank, games, inflatables, and vendors. Make sure to bring a swimsuit and towel.

Hephzibah’s Food Truck Friday and Classic Car Cruise-in is the second Friday of every month 5-9 p.m. at the Hephzibah Agricultural Center at 4245 Peach Orchard Rd. There will be food trucks, a farmers market, a variety of retro rides to look at, bounce houses, and other activities. Admission is free. Columbia County’s Food Truck Friday is every Friday 6-9 p.m. at Evans Towne Center Park.

Chill N’ Grill Food Festival is 3-9 p.m. June 21, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 22, and 1-6 p.m. June 23 at Evans Towne Center Park. There will be more than 25 food trucks and food vendors. Admission is free.

Boondock Farm’s Tomato Pie Festival is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 14 in Jackson, South Carolina at 755 Foreman St. Pies will be available for purchase in addition to fresh produce and other merchandise. There will also be live music, food trucks, and trail hiking.

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Dance to live music outside

Augusta Parks and Recreation’s Candlelight Music Series is every Sunday 7:30-10 p.m. at the Augusta Common along Broad and Reynolds streets. Admission is free. Here is the next month’s schedule:

  • June 2: Preston & Weston
  • June 9: EQue & the Crew
  • June 16: Matthew Davis Band
  • June 23: Major Sounds
  • June 30: Kristall Mindingall & Vibe Theory

The Hopelands Concert Series is every Monday at 7 p.m. at Hopelands Gardens in Aiken at 135 Dupree Pl. Memorial Day’s concert will present the Aiken Civic Ballet Company. Admission is free. Parking is available across the street at the Green Boundary Club at 780 Whiskey Rd. Here is the upcoming schedule:

  • June 3: Aiken Brass Band
  • June 10: Heart & Soul
  • June 17: The Experiment & the I-20 Horn
  • June 24: Parris Island Marine Band

Evenings in Appleby Gardens Concert Series is every Tuesday at 8 p.m. outside Appleby Branch Library in Augusta at 2260 Walton Way. Admission is free. Parking is also free and is available in the library parking lot, the Episcopal Day School parking lot, and on Johns Road. Water and snacks will be for sale on site. Here is the upcoming schedule:

  • June 4: The Dulcimer Guy
  • June 11: Dé Céadaoin
  • June 18: Doug Flowers Band
  • June 25: Goodnight Lizzy
  • July 9: AE the Cool

Indoor fun away from the sun

Grovetown Reptile Show returns 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 1 and 2 at the Columbia County Exhibition Center in Grovetown at 212 Partnership Dr. There will be snakes and lizards as well as spiders and other critters to see, touch, and purchase. General admission is $10, admission for ages 7-12 is $5, and younger children get in free. For more info, go to showmereptileshow.com.

In celebration of the week of Father’s Day, Phoenix Wrestling Experience is hosting “Baby Daddy Day Bash” at Savannah River Brewing Co. in Augusta at 813 5th St. on June 13. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the first bell will ring at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $10 and are available at eventbrite.com.

Council of Catholic Women’s Indoor Yard Sale is 8 a.m. to noon June 15 at the Parish Life Center in Grovetown at 4921 Columbia Rd. Admission is free, but this will be a fundraiser for the council’s missions.

Augusta Toy and Comic Book Convention is June 21-23 at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center at 2 10th St. There will be more than 200 vendors selling various collectibles in addition to artists and some celebrity appearances. Ticket prices vary depending on when you want to go. For more info, go to joefestusa.com.

“The Art of the Rings – The Art Towers,” an art show inspired by the Lord of the Rings, will be at Le Chat Noir in Augusta at 304 8th St. from June 29 to Aug. 2. There will be a free reception 6-9 p.m. July 12 featuring food and cocktails, thematic costumes, and a free showing of the extended edition of “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.”

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Summer movie nights

Columbia County Library’s Summer Movie Series is every Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Evans at 7022 Evans Towne Center Blvd. The schedule for the next month is as follows:

  • May 29: “Spider-Man: No Way Home”
  • June 5: “Moana”
  • June 12: “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”
  • June 19: “Smallfoot”
  • June 26: “Guardians of the Galaxy”

Georgia Theatre Company’s Summer Kids Show Series is coming to Evans Cinemas at 4365 Towne Centre Dr. Every Tuesday and Thursday, a family-friendly movie will be screened at 10 a.m. with $2 tickets as well as drinks, M&M’s, and popcorn for $2 each. The schedule for the next month is as follows:

  • June 4 and 6: “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie”
  • June 11 and 13: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem”
  • June 18 and 20: “Trolls Band Tour”
  • June 25 and 27: “Minions: The Rise of Gru”

Harlem Summer Movie Series will screen at 8 p.m. in the outside plaza of the Harlem Library at 145 N Louisville St. They will show the 2023 edition of “The Little Mermaid” on June 8 and “Grease” on July 13.

“Movies at the Miller” brings a free movie once a month to the screen of the Miller Theater in Augusta at 708 Broad St. Doors open at 3 p.m. and movies start at 4 p.m. This summer’s movies include “Moana” on June 9 and “Kung Fu Panda” on July 21. Snacks, including alcoholic beverages, will be for sale. While it’s free to watch, those interested must RSVP with the box office or by going online to millertheateraugusta.com.

Regal Summer Movie Express is back, and both the Regal Augusta Exchange and Regal Aiken Mall are participating. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, a pair of family-friendly movies will be screened at 11 a.m. with $1 tickets. Guests can buy a specially-priced $5 snack pack including a junior-sized drink, snack-sized popcorn, and fruit snacks with an optional $3 Dippin’ Dots add-on. The schedule for the next month is as follows:

  • June 11-12: “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”
  • June 18-19: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” and “The Angry Birds Movie 2.”
  • June 25-26: “Despicable Me 3” and “Migration.”

Monetta Drive-In continues to be open every weekend with back-to-back movies being shown at each of the three screens. The first starts around dusk (around 7:45-8 p.m.) with admission getting you access to both movies at whichever screen you choose. “The Big Mo” costs $10 for adults, $5 for ages 4-11, and free for younger kids. For the latest show offerings and more info, go to thebigmo.com.

Holiday happenings

The 8th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival is noon-9:30 p.m. June 19 outside the James Brown Arena in Augusta at 601 7th St. There will be music and spoken word acts, exhibits, kid-friendly activities, health and wellness checks, vendors, and other entertainment. Admission is free.

Augusta Pride Weekend returns June 21-22. The first public event of the weekend is Beats on Broad 6 p.m. to midnight June 21 at the Augusta Common. The next is June 22 with the Augusta Pride Parade at 10 a.m. moving down 7th, Greene, 9th, and Telfair streets followed by the main Augusta Pride Festival at the Augusta Common.

Columbia County’s “Boom! In the Park” is 5 p.m. July 4 at Evans Towne Center Park. There will be live music, food and beverage vendors, and a fireworks and laser show. Admission is free.

Stephens Auction’s July 4th Bash is 6-7:30 p.m. July 4 at the Warrenville auction house at 2796 Pine Log Rd. There will be water slides, fireworks, live music, food, and games.

More seasonal events will be added on as their information becomes available.

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