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

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Monday, December 30, 2024
NC Arboretum Hiking Trails
Dec 30 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Located within the wildly-popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy their hiking experience at the Arboretum as trail options include easy, moderate, and difficult challenge levels. All trails are dog-friendly and visitors are asked to adhere to the proper waste disposing procedures for pets.

Part of a running group that would like to use the Arboretum as a starting point or parking location? Please review our Running Group Guidance and email [email protected] with any questions.

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
NC Arboretum Hiking Trails
Dec 31 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Located within the wildly-popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy their hiking experience at the Arboretum as trail options include easy, moderate, and difficult challenge levels. All trails are dog-friendly and visitors are asked to adhere to the proper waste disposing procedures for pets.

Part of a running group that would like to use the Arboretum as a starting point or parking location? Please review our Running Group Guidance and email [email protected] with any questions.

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.

Sunday, February 2, 2025
Makers Marketplace Business Inspo & Expo
Feb 2 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

- Makers Marketplace Business Inspo & Expo

Join us for a journey of learning, growth, and inspiration at our two day event full of like-minded creatives excited to turn their artistic endeavors into a successful business venture. Mingle with fellow crafters in a relaxed atmosphere designed to foster new ideas and collaborations. Let this be the transformative experience that propels your crafting passion into a flourishing business venture. Join us on February 1 – 2, 2025 at the Greenville Convention Center. Let the entrepreneur within you soar and craft your success story!

Meeting in: 202ABC

Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/meqyrtTuBdinrByA6

Wednesday, February 5, 2025
SC Future Business Leaders of America
Feb 5 all-day
Greenville Convention Center

Join the brightest young minds at the SC Future Business Leaders of America 2025 Conference at the Greenville Convention Center! High school and college students from across South Carolina will connect, compete, and prepare for success in the business world.

The event features engaging workshops, inspiring keynote speakers, and competitions that build leadership, communication, and entrepreneurship skills. From presenting bold ideas to networking with professionals and celebrating achievements, this conference is your launchpad to future opportunities!

Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Alton Brown Live: The Last Bite
Feb 26 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

Thursday, March 6, 2025
I Remember Glenn Springs: Stories with Ben Greer
Mar 6 @ 7:00 pm
Old Stone Church

Ben Greer is an author, poet, and educator who was born and raised in Glenn Springs. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and Hollins University. He published his first novel, Slammer, at 26 to rave reviews and went on to publish 4 others. His first book of poetry was published at 59. His latest book of poetry is called Naked Prince: New & Selected Poems.

Ben has also written three plays, including Little Tin Gods, produced by Theatre South in 2008. Having taught at the University of South Carolina for 33 years, he is retired and lives in Columbia.

Join us at the Old Stone Church on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 7:00pm to hear Ben’s stories and memories of growing up in Glenn Springs. This event is free and all are welcome. Refreshments will be served.

Thursday, June 12, 2025
Hire Talent Events Career Fair
Jun 12 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

Join us at the Greenville Convention Center on June 12th for the Hire Talent Events Career Fair. This event is for employers hiring for Full-Time salaried positions, all industries, all skills, all majors, all career levels!

Who Can Attend:
Alumni, Graduating Seniors, Graduate Students.

June 12th, 2025 11am-2pm

Parking: FREE parking off Eisenhower Drive.

 

Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Endeavor’s Collaborators & Cocktails
Sep 24 @ 5:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Endeavor

Endeavor, the coworking and office space community in downtown Greenville will be hosting their Collaborators & Cocktails speaker series.

Networking 5:00-5:45 | Presentation and Q&A 5:45-6:45 | Networking 6:45-7:15
Request an Invitation at [email protected]. Seating is Limited; Sorry, No Walk-Ins.

Friday, September 26, 2025
Zoofari
Sep 26 @ 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Riverbanks Zoo

Join us for the 51st anniversary edition of ZOOfari — an unforgettable evening of cocktails, cuisine, and conservation!

Experience the nostalgia with flavors from previous ZOOfari events, paired with specialty cocktails throughout the Zoo.

Friday, October 3, 2025
Spooky Spartanburg Ghost Tour
Oct 3 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
One Morgan Square

Explore the haunted heart of Spartanburg on a spine-tingling walking tour led by psychic medium and paranormal magician Isaak Ivey. You hear stories about Magnolia Cemetery, Converse College, Morgan Square, and other Spartanburg landmarks. A member of Truth Searchers: Paranormal Investigators, Isaak combines chilling history, local legends, and paranormal storytelling to bring Spartanburg’s eerie past to life. From restless spirits and forgotten tragedies to mysterious landmarks that still whisper their secrets, this ghost tour is perfect for locals, visitors, history buffs, and paranormal enthusiasts alike.

-Guided by psychic medium, paranormal magician, and investigator Isaak Ivey

-Step into downtown Spartanburg’s haunted history and legendary ghost stories

-Experience chilling tales and supernatural lore brought vividly to life

-A night of magic, history, and entertainment

Saturday, October 4, 2025
“The Generational Advantage” Saturday Popup with Kamber Parker Bowden
Oct 4 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
M. Judson Booksellers

Internationally recognized speaker and workforce strategist Kamber Parker Bowden’s debut book, “The Generational Advantage,” delivers practical tips for developing strong, multigenerational teams.

Parker Bowden will be visiting M. Judson from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 4 for a Saturday popup. She will be discussing her business insights and sharing details about her book.

This book is built on more than 10,000 interviews and over 50,000 hours of research, translating real-world insights into practical action items for business leaders. “The Generational Advantage” covers how to attract and retain top talent in a shifting labor market, bridge communication gaps across generational and technological divides, and turn workplace friction into collaboration and measurable business growth.

Gorges State Park to Host Third Annual Mountain Monarch Festival on Oct. 4
Oct 4 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Gorges State Park

Back by popular demand, the third Annual Mountain Monarch Festival will be at Gorges State Park in Sapphire on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This free event, hosted by the park and sponsored by the Friends of Gorges State Park and other partners, will celebrate the monarch butterfly during its migration and raise awareness about the species’ declining numbers. The park lies along the monarchs’ migratory route. The butterflies can be seen in early October each year flying over the park, heading south to the high-elevation fir forests in central-southern Mexico’s Volcanic Belt, where they overwinter until early spring.

The festival will offer educational programs and exhibits as well as children’s crafts, face painting by Brevard College cheerleaders, a butterfly hike, and a Monarch Migration Passport to guide visitors through the activities. The featured speakers will be Heyward Douglas, an entomologist who is a former naturalist and has served on the Foothills Trail Conservancy’s board of directors since 1989, who will talk about visiting the wintering area for the monarchs in Mexico, and Brian Bockhahn, interpretation and education specialist for North Carolina State Parks, who will discuss “Monarch Life Cycle and Tagging.”

The event, activities and programs are free and open to the public. The event will be held rain or shine and is first-come, first-served. For event details, visit https://www.friendsofgorges.org

Friday, October 10, 2025
Spooky Spartanburg Ghost Tour
Oct 10 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
One Morgan Square

Explore the haunted heart of Spartanburg on a spine-tingling walking tour led by psychic medium and paranormal magician Isaak Ivey. You explore local landmarks and hear stories from Magnolia Cemetery, Converse College, Morgan Square, and other Spartanburg landmarks. A member of Truth Searchers: Paranormal Investigators, Isaak combines chilling history, local legends, and paranormal storytelling to bring Spartanburg’s eerie past to life. From restless spirits and forgotten tragedies to mysterious landmarks that still whisper their secrets, this ghost tour is perfect for locals, visitors, history buffs, and paranormal enthusiasts alike.

-Guided by psychic medium, paranormal magician, and investigator Isaak Ivey

-Step into downtown Spartanburg’s haunted history and legendary ghost stories

-Experience chilling tales and supernatural lore brought vividly to life

-A night of magic, history, and entertainment

Sunday, October 12, 2025
44th Annual Western North Carolina Parade of Homes
Oct 12 all-day
Western North Carolina

The 44th annual Western North Carolina Parade of Homes, happening October 11-12 and 18-19, is a free, self-guided tour of new and remodeled homes by top builders throughout Asheville, Hendersonville, Black Mountain, Fairview, and beyond. Visitors can explore a wide variety of homes in person or take advantage of virtual tours. Whether you’re dreaming, designing, or actively building, the Parade offers inspiration at every price point. Sponsored by the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For more information, visit wncparadeofhomes.com.

Sunday, October 19, 2025
44th Annual Western North Carolina Parade of Homes
Oct 19 all-day
Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains

The 44th annual Western North Carolina Parade of Homes, happening October 11-12 and 18-19, is a free, self-guided tour of new and remodeled homes by top builders throughout Asheville, Hendersonville, Black Mountain, Fairview, and beyond. Visitors can explore a wide variety of homes in person or take advantage of virtual tours. Whether you’re dreaming, designing, or actively building, the Parade offers inspiration at every price point. Sponsored by the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For more information, visit wncparadeofhomes.com.

Wednesday, November 5, 2025
South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo
Nov 5 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

Join us at the Greenville Convention Center for the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo on November 5-6, 2025. Meet the manufacturers who are shaping what’s next. Hosted by SCBIZ News, The SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo is where connections turn into partnerships, and industry insights fuel real results.
This is your chance to be part of a growing, interconnected manufacturing community—right here in the Southeast & beyond.

Thursday, November 6, 2025
South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo
Nov 6 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

Join us at the Greenville Convention Center for the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo on November 5-6, 2025. Meet the manufacturers who are shaping what’s next. Hosted by SCBIZ News, The SC Manufacturing Conference & Expo is where connections turn into partnerships, and industry insights fuel real results.
This is your chance to be part of a growing, interconnected manufacturing community—right here in the Southeast & beyond.

Thursday, November 13, 2025
Endeavor’s Collaborators & Cocktails
Nov 13 @ 5:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Endeavor

Endeavor, the coworking and office space community in downtown Greenville will be hosting their Collaborators & Cocktails speaker series.

Networking 5:00-5:45 | Presentation and Q&A 5:45-6:45 | Networking 6:45-7:15
Request an Invitation at [email protected]. Seating is Limited; Sorry, No Walk-Ins.