This Weekend in Augusta: From Gallery Walks to Riverfront Jazz, Here’s Your Go-To Guide

Augusta’s calendar is packed this weekend with events that range from a downtown gallery crawl to a two-day jazz festival along the Savannah River. Whether you’re a longtime resident or just visiting, here’s what you need to know to plan your days.

Art & Culture

On Friday evening, the Augusta Arts Council is hosting a self-guided gallery walk through the Olde Town district. Seven galleries will stay open until 9 p.m., featuring new works by regional painters and sculptors. Admission is free, and several venues will offer wine and small bites.

Saturday morning, the Morris Museum of Art on Reynolds Street opens a new exhibit titled “Southern Light: Landscapes of the Lowcountry.” Curators say the collection includes 30 oil paintings and watercolors, many on loan from private collections. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and students.

Music & Festivals

The biggest draw this weekend is the Augusta Riverfront Jazz Festival, now in its 14th year. The free event runs Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater on the 700 block of Reynolds Street. This year’s lineup includes the Savannah-based funk band The Overtones, New Orleans trumpeter Marcus Lattimore, and Augusta’s own jazz ensemble, the River City Collective. Food vendors will sell barbecue, seafood and vegetarian options, and a beer garden will operate under a tent near the riverwalk.

For classical music fans, the Augusta Symphony is performing a free pops concert on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Miller Theater. The program includes selections from Gershwin and Ellington. No tickets are required, but early arrival is recommended-the theater seats 1,300.

Outdoors & Family Fun

If you’re looking for outdoor recreation, the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area is offering discounted kayak rentals on Saturday and Sunday. A two-hour rental normally costs $25, but this weekend it’s $18 per person, according to the canal authority’s website. Reservations are recommended; call the canal office at 706-823-0440.

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, located off Doug Barnard Parkway, is hosting a free guided bird walk Saturday at 8 a.m. Park rangers say recent sightings have included great blue herons, bald eagles and wood storks. Binoculars are available to borrow at the visitor center.

For a more low-key afternoon, the Augusta Public Library on Greene Street is screening the 1995 animated film “Balto” on Saturday at 2 p.m. as part of its summer film series. Popcorn and lemonade will be provided. The event is free and open to all ages.

With temperatures forecast to reach the low 90s on both Saturday and Sunday, organizers advise bringing sunscreen, hats and refillable water bottles. Several outdoor venues, including the amphitheater and Phinizy Swamp, have water fountains available.

Parking downtown can be tight on festival weekends. The city runs free shuttles every 15 minutes from the parking garage at 6th and Jones streets to the riverfront area. Shuttles operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.