The 49th annual Aiken’s Makin’ Festival brought vibrant energy to downtown Aiken on September 5-6, 2025, celebrating local crafts and culture across two bustling days. With free admission along Park Avenue, visitors immersed themselves in pottery, jewelry, home décor, and gourmet foods, filling the streets with an artsy buzz from morning till evening.
Friday’s Standout Moments
- Karla Harris Quartet: Jazz lovers gathered at USC Aiken’s Etherredge Center for a 7 p.m. performance, where Karla Harris’ soulful vocals and the quartet’s smooth rhythms kicked off the festival’s music lineup.
- Aiken Civic Orchestra: At the Aiken High School Auditorium, the orchestra’s “Scheherazade and Other Exotic Stories” paid homage to rich, exotic compositions, captivating the evening crowd at 7 p.m.
- Rock Tribute: North Augusta’s Southbound Smokehouse energized the night with Flying High Again delivering a high-octane “Ultimate Ozzy Osbourne Experience” at 9 p.m.
- Aiken Community Theatre: Theatergoers enjoyed “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” performances starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Amentum Center, showcasing local talent across the weekend.
Saturday’s Rich Mix: Music & Family Fun
- The Regulars: Rocking the stage at Highfields Event Center at 7 p.m., The Regulars delivered a solid set as part of the ongoing Aiken Music Fest.
- Family Fun Day: United Way of Aiken County hosted engaging activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, bringing smiles to kids and adults alike.
- Cattyshack Cats’ All-Breed Cat Show: Held across Saturday and Sunday in North Augusta, this popular event attracted pet lovers from the region.
- Battle at the Alley: The battle of bands from 6 to 10 p.m. featured talented acts like Wire Road, The Hoyt Clagwells, and Stellium, spotlighting emerging local rock talent and keeping festival-goers moving into the night.
With mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures peaking near 92°F on Friday, the weekend’s weather was ideal for outdoor festivities. The fusion of jazz, rock, theater, family events, and artisanal crafts made Aiken a vibrant hub of community celebration and music discovery.
Stay connected with Extra Chill Festival Wire for full recaps and upcoming festival alerts throughout September.
Source: Today’s events for Sept. 5