Explore family friendly events, theatres, galleries, concerts, nightlife, things to do, and more in the Greenville, SC and Upstate areas.

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Friday, December 20, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 20 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 21, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 21 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 22, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 22 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Monday, December 23, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 23 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 24 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 25 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 26, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 26 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Friday, December 27, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 27 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 28, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 28 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 29, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 29 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Monday, December 30, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 30 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 29, 2025
Bunny Hopper Express
Mar 29 all-day
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad welcomes back the Bunny Hopper Express Easter Train, March 29 & 30! This 4 and half-hour round trip special event train departs the historic Bryson City Depot at 11:00 am and will travel through the Smoky Mountains to our picturesque layover destination for Easter-themed activities and Egg Hunt.

Passengers will be on the lookout for those train-hopping bunnies who have snuck on to take a free ride! Festivities include an Easter egg hunt with prizes, a give-away bag with activities to enjoy during the train ride, and a yummy Easter treat for our junior railroaders to enjoy at the layover. There will also be plenty of opportunities for pictures with our bunny hoppers, so do not forget your camera!

Sunday, March 30, 2025
Bunny Hopper Express
Mar 30 all-day
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad welcomes back the Bunny Hopper Express Easter Train, March 29 & 30! This 4 and half-hour round trip special event train departs the historic Bryson City Depot at 11:00 am and will travel through the Smoky Mountains to our picturesque layover destination for Easter-themed activities and Egg Hunt.

Passengers will be on the lookout for those train-hopping bunnies who have snuck on to take a free ride! Festivities include an Easter egg hunt with prizes, a give-away bag with activities to enjoy during the train ride, and a yummy Easter treat for our junior railroaders to enjoy at the layover. There will also be plenty of opportunities for pictures with our bunny hoppers, so do not forget your camera!

Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Global Threats, Local Risks: Protecting Your Data in a Connected World
May 21 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Old Europe Coffee Bridge Way

In a world where data flows faster than ever, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue—it’s personal. From your phone to your finances, the risks are real and increasingly global. But what can you do to protect yourself and your community?

Join us for the second session of our new Global Connections series: Global Threats, Local Risks – Protecting Your Data in a Connected World, led by Michael Sylvester, Chief Strategy Officer at AT-NET. With decades of experience at the intersection of technology and security, Michael will break down today’s digital threats in a way that’s clear, actionable, and relevant to your everyday life.

Following the successful kickoff of this quarterly series, this session continues our mission to explore complex global issues in a welcoming, down-to-earth setting. Hosted by Upstate International and the European American Chamber of Commerce, Global Connections brings together expats and locals for expert-led conversations—paired with a glass of wine or a cup of artisan coffee at Old Europe Coffee in Simpsonville.

Whether you’re concerned about cybercrime, curious about how international threats affect your own backyard, or just looking to connect with globally minded neighbors, this event is for you. Come for the insights, stay for the community.

Let’s turn complex global issues into meaningful local conversations—one cup at a time.

Saturday, October 18, 2025
Haunted Car Wash
Oct 18 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Whatta Wash South 14 Haunted Car Wash

Greer SC, For the fifth time, Whatta Wash South 14 is bringing soap, water, and a scare to customers this October. The Haunted Car Wash will be taking place October 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 31 from 6:00PM-10:00PM. The cost is $30 per vehicle which includes our top wash and a portion of each wash will be donated to help support local charities here in the Upstate, South Carolina.
Enter if you dare, the Haunted Car Wash tunnel will be filled with creepy clowns, fog, and spooky lighting. Drivers outside the wash will be greeted with 12,000+ synchronized lights all programed to Halloween music, animatronics, decorations, as well as ghosts, zombies, clowns, and other scary creatures keeping them company as they wait for their spooky ride through the foggy tunnel. Inside the tunnel, customers will receive a unique spooky experience all while getting their vehicle clean.
This haunted car wash is a perfect way to get into the Halloween Spirit without even having to leave your vehicle as well as supporting local charities in the Upstate. The haunted car wash is located at 2788 South Highway 14 Greer, SC 29650.

Friday, October 24, 2025
Bacon & Barrel 2025
Oct 24 @ 7:00 pm
1800 Drayton Catering and Events

Join us on Thursday, October 24 at 1800 Drayton for Bacon & Barrel — a lively evening of bourbon tastings, bacon-inspired bites from local restaurants, live music, and a curated silent auction, all in support of St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic. This beloved annual fundraiser helps provide free, high-quality healthcare to uninsured residents of Spartanburg County.

Tickets include access to bourbon samples, food tastings, and entertainment. Proceeds go directly toward sustaining our clinic’s mission of compassionate care for those who need it most.

To learn more or purchase tickets, visit: https://slfmc.networkforgood.com/events/88843-bacon-and-barrel

Saturday, October 25, 2025
Haunted Car Wash
Oct 25 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Whatta Wash South 14 Haunted Car Wash

Greer SC, For the fifth time, Whatta Wash South 14 is bringing soap, water, and a scare to customers this October. The Haunted Car Wash will be taking place October 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 31 from 6:00PM-10:00PM. The cost is $30 per vehicle which includes our top wash and a portion of each wash will be donated to help support local charities here in the Upstate, South Carolina.
Enter if you dare, the Haunted Car Wash tunnel will be filled with creepy clowns, fog, and spooky lighting. Drivers outside the wash will be greeted with 12,000+ synchronized lights all programed to Halloween music, animatronics, decorations, as well as ghosts, zombies, clowns, and other scary creatures keeping them company as they wait for their spooky ride through the foggy tunnel. Inside the tunnel, customers will receive a unique spooky experience all while getting their vehicle clean.
This haunted car wash is a perfect way to get into the Halloween Spirit without even having to leave your vehicle as well as supporting local charities in the Upstate. The haunted car wash is located at 2788 South Highway 14 Greer, SC 29650.

Sunday, November 16, 2025
Holiday Open House
Nov 16 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Augusta Street

ince the 1980s Augusta Street businesses, in Greenville SC, have come together to kick off the holidays with family-friendly festivities. Augusta Road Business Association (ARBA) will be hosting its Annual Holiday Open House this year on Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Businesses on Augusta keep this tradition alive by hosting festivities, sales, contests, specials, carriage rides, sweet treats, and more. Come to shop the sales, create a wish list, bring your family for the festivities, and have your little ones start the holiday magic of the season on Augusta Street. Mom and Dad will be happy to know that Santa is coming!

Instagram Contest and all the details at https://www.onlyonaugusta.com

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Fill the Cruisers – Emergency Response Food Drive
Nov 19 @ 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Join the Greenville Police Department and Bon Secours Wellness Arena for the Fill the Cruisers Emergency Food Drive, benefiting Project Host. With food insecurity rising and potential delays in SNAP benefits across South Carolina, this community event aims to support local families in need ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Residents are encouraged to stop by the Arena and help fill police cruisers with nonperishable food and essential items, which will be delivered directly to Project Host’s Soup Kitchen and outreach programs. Most needed items include canned vegetables and fruit, canned proteins, rice, pasta, sauces, peanut butter and jelly, applesauce, snack crackers, mac & cheese, and pop-top soups. Monetary donations can also be made at projecthost.org.