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
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, January 19, 2025
Blue Ridge National Charity Drive
Jan 19 – Jan 20 all-day

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA) is
excited to announce the Heritage Hearth Charity Drive, a creative effort to collect hand-knit and
crocheted accessories for all ages to benefit residents of Western North Carolina (WNC)
impacted by Hurricane Helene.

As areas recover, BRNHA strives to keep WNC on the radar of those outside the region.
BRNHA will collect donations from November 11, 2024–January 20, 2025, including knit or
crochet hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and cowls. The North Carolina Voluntary Organizations
Active in Disaster (NCVOAD) will assist in connecting BRNHA to groups that can disperse
donations to those in need across WNC.

Donations can be mailed or dropped off at:
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
c/o Heritage Hearth
31 College Place, Suite 120
Asheville, NC 28801
BRNHA welcomes participants who would like to be designated drop-off locations. If you are
interested, please contact BRNHA to collaborate. Fiber groups are encouraged to engage in
community sit-and-stitches to raise awareness of the event. Attached here is the flyer and social
media image to correlate with the event page:

Heritage Hearth: A Handmade Charity Drive

Saturday, February 1, 2025
Wedding Festivals
Feb 1 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

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Join us for Wedding Festivals at the Greenville Convention Center on February 1st, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the elegant ballroom! Explore the latest wedding trends, meet talented vendors, and find everything you need to plan your perfect day. From stunning gowns to breathtaking venues, this is a must-attend event for every bride and groom-to-be!

Saturday, February 22, 2025
In The Kitchen Cookoff
Feb 22 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Magnetic South Brewery

Adaptive Pickleball (APB) is hosting an IN THE KITCHEN Cook-Off Competition on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Magnetic South Brewery.
Every dish in the cook-off will showcase the flavor of pickles. Yep… every entry will make the flavor of pickles the star of their dish. Hot dish. Cold dish. Baked dish. Non-alcoholic beverage. Ice cream. Expect to taste lots of pickle-licious dishes.

There is a $20 fee for chefs to enter the competition and prizes will be awarded for the top three dishes. For a $20 donation to APB, the public gets bite-size samples and will vote on the winning dishes.

All donations support Adaptive Pickleball, a 501c3 non-profit based in Greer that teaches people with cognitive, physical and developmental challenges how to play pickleball.

Tickets for the IN THE KITCHEN Cook-Off Competition are available to purchase at the link below. Magnetic South Brewery is located in the Judson Mill District.

Saturday, March 15, 2025
Rock’N Roo Fundraiser at Rockers Brewing Co.
Mar 15 @ 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Rockers Brewing Co.

Rock N Roo, one of the biggest events of the year! The Roo Crew was founded to assist and support families with children who have special medical and educational obstacles. Check out the Roo’s website https://theroocrew.org/
From 1 to 9 PM we will feature multiple featured bands (Two Daves 1-3 PM / Caston & Co 3:30 – 6 PM / CPR 6:30 – 9 PM)
Food Specials: Corned beef and cabbage (Brined slow roasted beef brisket served with sauteed cabbage, roasted carrots, and mashed potatoes with good boy stout gravy), & Bangers and mash (Two Irish style sausage links on a bed of mashed potatoes smothered with good boy stout gravy.)
$1 / Cocktail specials donated
$1 / Pint sold will be donated
$20 Glassware Package to be donated
Specialty merchandise being sold by the Roo Crew to be donated
Face painting, a kids zone and more!

Sunday, March 30, 2025
The Thorn
Mar 30 @ 7:00 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

“The Thorn,” a powerful and popular live theatrical event, seen live by over one million people, will bring the passion of Jesus to life this spring at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

The Thorn offers audiences a unique theatrical experience in a show that has been hailed as “Cirque meets ‘The Passion’” thanks to its compelling mix of drama, music, dance, martial arts, aerial acrobatics, emotionally evocative performances, and timeless spiritual perspectives. The story spans from creation to the formation of the early church. Watch the trailer here.  For more information, please visit TheThorn.com

Author John Bolin created the show over 25 years ago to convey the meaning of Christ’s sacrificial death to a group of young people who knew little about the story of Jesus’ suffering but were familiar with pain through their own practice of cutting and self-harm.

The show has evolved ever since, with the current live version returning to the original format featuring St. John, “the beloved disciple,” recalling his many amazing encounters with Jesus.

“It’s a story full of love, sacrifice, spiritual warfare, and redemption,” said Bolin.

Saturday, April 12, 2025
Southern Roots: A BBQ Reunion
Apr 12 all-day
Trailblazer Park

Join us on April 12th at Trailblazer Park for a reunion unlike any other!

Come enjoy delicious BBQ bites from some amazing local and guest pitmasters and chefs, live music, unlimited beverages, access to the artisan market, great company and experience the joy of coming together as a community for an incredible cause – IDefine.

Over 35 pitmasters and chefs will be joining together as teams to cook over 15 different BBQ dishes! Each one of our amazing menu items created by ou talented chefs will be ALL-INCLUSIVE, so you can eat and enjoy all day long!

ONE ticket price gets you FOUR hours of all the BBQ you can enjoy, unlimited beverages, shopping and live music!

Saturday, April 19, 2025
Woodworking Tool Sale and Auction by Greenville Woodworkers Guild
Apr 19 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Greenville Woodworkers Guild Education Center

The 2025 Spring Tool Sale and Auction by Greenville Woodworkers Guild will be held on Saturday, April 19, from 8 am to 11 am at 209 Hollyridge Ct, Greenville, SC 29607.

Throughout the year the guild’s tool team gathers tools and equipment from owners to be sold in two sales events (depending on the quantity of tools collected). These events are conducted at the Guild Education Center. They include fixed priced items for instant purchase and silent auction bid items.

Generally, the consignee / donor contacts the Guild and the tool team takes care of everything else. The tool team retrieves all the owner’s items at the owner’s location, transports the items to the Guild, cleans the items, prices the inventory, conducts a sale and distributes the proceeds back to the consignees. Items remaining after the tool sale are donated to a variety of charities throughout Greenville County.

All items are barcoded and we use a Point-of-Sale system to collect payment during the sale. To make checkout as smooth and fast as possible, the Guild prefers Credit or Debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.

Cash will be accepted but please, no checks.

For more information, please contact the tool sale / auction team at [email protected].

Friday, April 25, 2025
Upstate Family Resource Center Country Gala
Apr 25 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Lodge at Lake Bowen

Put on your best boots and join The Upstate Family Resource Center for a Country Gala that includes dinner, Dancing, and a silent auction. Music provided by The James Radford Band. Tickets $50/person until April 14th and $60/person after the 14th. Purchase tickets through our Facebook page or use shorturl.at/c8Ljn
Questions email [email protected]

Sunday, April 27, 2025
3RD ANNUAL LEO SANTA CAR SHOW
Apr 27 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
TRAILBLAZER PARK

GET READY CAR LOVERS! THE 3RD ANNUAL LEO SANTA CAR SHOW IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER. SEE CLASSIC BEAUTIES, MIND BLOWING CUSTOM RIDES AND MORE.
BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY AND REV UP YOUR ENGINES-IT’S ALL HAPPENING APRIL 27 1-5PM AT TRAILBLAZER PARK IN TRAVELERS REST! DON’T MISS IT!
WE WILL HAVE FOOD TRUCKS, A KIDS ZONE, TOUCH A TRUCK AND MUCH MORE!!

Saturday, May 31, 2025
Blue Ridge Community College Car Show
May 31 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Blue Ridge Community College 20th Annual Car Show

20th anniversary Car Show at Blue Ridge Community College. All Makes, models, years invited. First 250 participants receive a goody bag. 50/50 raffle, quilt raffle, gift basket raffle, yellow duck raffle, scavenger hunt for the kids, fairy hair, complimentary caricature artist from 11-2, food trucks on site–cotton candy, gourmet popcorn, coffee truck, mini doughnuts, Italian ice, hot dogs and BBQ

Saturday, June 7, 2025
Celebrate Land Trust Day in Greenville
Jun 7 all-day
Mast General Store

Celebrate Land Trust Day, Saturday, June 7, with Mast General Store! Meet representatives from Upstate Forever. The Greenville Mast Store will donate 20% of the day’s sales to this land trust partner so that it may continue its mission of helping our community maintain its natural landscapes, create shared open spaces, and preserve the beauty that lies just beyond our own backyards!

55th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
Jun 7 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Brevard College Boshamer Gym

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.

Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.

Sunday, June 8, 2025
55th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
Jun 8 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Brevard College Boshamer Gym

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.

Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.

Monday, June 9, 2025
55th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
Jun 9 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Brevard College Boshamer Gym

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.

Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
55th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
Jun 10 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Brevard College Boshamer Gym

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.

Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025
55th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
Jun 11 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Brevard College Boshamer Gym

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.

Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.

Saturday, June 14, 2025
RUN4NIMO 2025 5 K WALK/RUN- FAMILY EVENT
Jun 14 @ 7:00 am – 12:00 pm
USC Upstate Hodge Center

It’s that time of the year again and excitement is in the air! Please join us for the Akanimo Cancer Foundation Annual 5K RUN/WALK event created to commemorate Akanimo’s birthday while raising funds to support childhood cancer research.
Akanimo Ekanem, born on June 13, 2007 & was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell tumor (DSRCT) at 10 years old and battled bravely for 2 years and 2 months until Christmas Day, 2019. This is why we are passionate about childhood cancer research. This year, on what would have been Nimo’s 18th birthday, we call on you to be part of something extraordinary as we gather all over the world in our various communities to participate in this family and community event. We invite you to create a team in your location. You can also give to an individual team or the general team. It’s an event like no other, and we love that you are a part of something this phenomenal!
Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission – raising money to support childhood cancer research. Together, we can work towards a world where no child dies of cancer.