From Christmas concerts to Santa visits, here are some Augusta-area holiday happenings

It's finally that most wonderful time of the year. Over the next few weeks, there will be no shortage of things to do in the Augusta area.

Visiting local favorites like Lights of the South and Evans on Ice are annual traditions for many families. Santa Claus will be crisscrossing the Augusta area taking photos and hearing gift requests. There will also be a variety of lively entertainment options from caroling concerts to special movie nights featuring holiday classics.

Here's a look at these and more seasonal festivities coming to the Augusta area:

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Christmas parties and trivia nights

Trivia with Mike Sleeper's Christmas Trivia Nights are 7 p.m. on Dec. 18 at Pizza Joint in Aiken and Draft Society in Augusta, and on Dec. 21 at Doc's Porchside and Pizza Joint in Augusta. Competitors can work as individuals or teams, and the top three scorers will receive gift cards for the restaurants they are attending.

Storyland in Winter Wonderland is 6-8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Beulah Grove Baptist Church in Augusta at 1434 Poplar St. Guests are invited to wear their pajamas and enjoy a story reading, vendors, games, face painting and other activities. Admission is free but guests are encouraged to RSVP a spot on eventbrite.com.

Buddy the Elf Night and Trivia is 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Vance's Bakery Bar in Augusta at 123 James Brown Blvd. There will be trivia based on the hit movie "Elf" as well as thematic cocktails and a visit from Will Ferrell's character Buddy. The event is reserved for ages 21 and older.

Twisted Christmas is 10:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Joe's Underground in Augusta at 767 Broad St. There will be a drag show, drink specials, and an ugly sweater contest.

Christmas Dinner at Salt + Marrow Kitchen is noon-5 p.m. Dec. 25 at Crowne Plaza North Augusta at 1060 Center St. This will be a three course family-style prix-fixe experience. The first course is rolls, a southern platter and wedge salad. The second is leg of lamb, grouper, fingerling potato, brussel sprouts, crab rice and collared greens. The third is ice cream, pound and chocolate cake. Pricing is $55 for adults and $18 for ages 5-12. RSVP at opentable.com.

Light displays

Lights of the South is back now through Dec. 30, except for Christmas Day, and is open every day from 6-10 p.m. Guests can walk or take a hay ride through an outdoor trail of luminous displays featuring everything from superheroes to a Christmas village. There are also snacks available for purchase and picture opportunities with Santa Claus. General admission starts at $16 Sunday-Thursday. For more information and to buy tickets in advance, go to lightsofthesouth.com.

Aiken's 32nd annual Christmas in Hopelands is 6-9:30 p.m. now through Dec. 22 at Hopelands Gardens at 35 Dupree Pl. Guests will walk through 100,000 lights, enjoying the sights plus refreshments, live music and photos with Santa Claus. Admission is free. For more information, including parking information and a schedule of who is performing, go to cityofaikensc.gov.

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Fun with Santa and friends

Augusta Mall's Pictures with Santa is back now through Dec. 24. Santa will be in his usual spot on the first floor in the hall across from Dillard's. Photo sessions can be booked at various times during normal mall hours. There are also some "pet nights" available. For more information, go to whereissanta.com.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are visiting Partridge Inn 6-8 p.m. Dec. 20 in Augusta at 2110 Walton Way. Guests are asked to donate any unwrapped gift or teddy bear to the toy drive. There will be hot chocolate and cookies. Admission is free.

A Bad Santa Party is 8:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Fox's Lair in Augusta at 349 Telfair St. Guests are encouraged to wear their "baddest" Santa or Mrs. Claus outfit. There will also be live music.

Breakfast with Santa is 8 a.m. Dec. 23 at McNeely's Place in North Augusta at 301 Georgia Ave. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and younger. Those interested need to RSVP ahead of time at (803) 426-8540.

Christmas movie nights

The Polar Express Pajama Party is 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at Grovetown Library at 105 Old Wrightsboro Rd. Guests can watch the movie in their favorite pajamas while enjoying a snack and some hot cocoa. They will also be given a take-home craft. Families must RSVP by picking up a ticket at the party now through Dec. 16.

The Flashback Cinema series is showing "It's a Wonderful Life" at various times on Dec. 20 and 24 at Evans Cinemas at 4365 Towne Centre Dr.

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New Year's evenings

Trivia with Mike Sleeper's 2020 Year in Review Trivia Nights is 7 p.m. Dec. 27 at Pizza Joint in Evans and Alley Taproom in Aiken. Competitors can work as individuals or teams, and the top three scorers will receive gift cards for the restaurants they are attending.

A Pre-New Year's Eve Party is 7 p.m. Dec. 30 at the Marriott in Augusta at 2 10 St. There will be hors d'oeuvres, drinks and live music. Tickets are $45 at eventbrite.com.

Joe Underground's Not-So-New Year's Pajama Jam is 8 p.m. Dec. 30 in Augusta at 144 8th St. There will be "sleepover snacks," drinks and live music.

Hephzibah's New Year's Eve Party and Fireworks is Dec. 31 outside the Hephzibah Agricultural Center at 4425 Wilson Rd. There will be food trucks, vendors, inflatables and games. Gates open at 5 p.m. and fireworks will go off at 9 p.m. Admission is free.

EastWind Castle's Valhalla-Themed New Year's Eve Celebration is Dec. 31 in Trenton, SC at 527 Johnston Hwy. Viking-era attire is encouraged but not recommended. There will be plenty of live entertainment and awards for the various events. Doors open at 7 p.m., festivities kick off at 8 p.m. and fireworks at midnight. General admission is $10 but children get in free.

Ikonz New Years Celebration is 9 p.m. Dec. 31 at Ikonz Sportsbar and Grill in Augusta at 1515 North Leg Rd. This dress-to-impress event will feature free food, a desert bar, a live DJ and more. Admission is $40 per person or $75 per couple.

New Year's Eve Sneaker Ball Bash is Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Crowne Plaza North Augusta. There will be a live DJ and a ton of food from prime rib carving and mac and cheese stations to a shrimp cocktail tower and fried chicken tender cups. There will also be a cash bar and champagne toast at midnight. Sneakers are encouraged but cocktail attire is required. Tickets are $85 at eventbrite.com.

Partridge Inn's New Year's Eve Roaring '20s Masquerade Ball is Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Guests will don their best 1920s outfits and masks for a night of dancing, live band music, cash bars and photo ops. Tickets start at $75 at eventbrite.com.

World of Beer's "Back to '90s" New Year's Party is Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Augusta at 2819 Washington Rd. Dress in your best throwback threads for an evening of live DJ music and a champagne toast. Admission is free.

More holiday hijinks

Evans on Ice is back now through January at Evans Towne Center Park in Evans off Ronald Reagan Drive. Families can ice skate to their hearts' delight, and when they need a break, they can relax with some roasted marshmallows and take a stroll around the park to check out the various light displays. Hours of operation for the ice rink vary by day. Tickets start at $13. For more information, go to evansonice.com.

Aiken's 6th annual Festival of Lights is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. now through Dec. 30 at the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum at 406 Park Ave. SE. Enjoy an array of beautiful and creatively decorated trees made by various organizations.

Holiday Market at the Marina is noon-4 p.m. Dec. 24 at the 5th Street Marina along the Savannah River in Augusta. There will be a variety of vendors plus live music and $20 boat tours starting at 2:30 p.m. There will be a golf cart to help shuttle guests between the market and the 6th Street Train trestle.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Christmas concerts, Santa pictures, holiday things to do in Augusta