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.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Greer Christmas Parade Registration is OPEN
Nov 1 all-day
online
Theme: Christmas in Candyland

Join the fun and decorate your entries to reflect a Candyland Christmas. Remember, Santa is ONLY on the last float in the parade! The Greer Christmas Parade route is 1.1 miles; beginning at Poinsett Street & Memorial Drive and ending at N. Main Street & Cunningham Drive.

$50 Non-Commercial/Organization/Non-Profit registration

$100 Commercial/Business registration

$750 Rent a float from Greer Relief

$825 Rent a float from Greer Relief with sound

CLICK HERE for available floats

ALL entries & fees must be received or postmarked by the day before Thanksgiving (November 23rd). Entries & fees received/postmarked after this date will be assessed the $50 late entry fee.

We will have several awards determined by our judges: Best Float Entry, Best Walking Entry, and Best Band. 2022 Best Float was Scruffy’s Auction House, 2022 Best Walking Entry was Ignite Dance, and 2022 Best Band was Eastside High School Band. They each get bragging rights & a free entry for the 2023 Greer Christmas Parade!

BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR!! We will be incorporating a toy drive INTO the parade. We are asking for new toys to be brought to the parade to help support the Greer Relief Christmas Morning Shoppe, click here for more information on the program.

Please forward this email to any individual, business, and organization interested in participating in the parade. If you have any questions you can email us at [email protected] or call (864) 334-3490.

GSP International Airport Survey
Nov 1 all-day
online

GSP International Airport is conducting an update to its IT Master Plan to determine the types of technology, services, and amenities needed in the future at the airport.

Ten at the Top Resource Maps
Nov 1 all-day
online
Curious about what organizations are helping Upstate veterans? Maybe you need a some info on schools in your area?
Whatever resource you’re looking for, TATT has a map for that!
Each month we’ll be highlighting one of our interactive resource maps, connecting you to the Upstate community more than ever before!
This month, we’re highlighting our Childcare Resources Map!
Whether you’re looking for daycare services for little ones, after school programs, or licensed care givers, this is your one-stop shop for everything you need!
The Berkshires Land: Fall Fishing Destinations
Nov 1 all-day
The Berkshires

As the summer is waning and the leaves change colors, anglers across the country eagerly await the start of fall fishing season in some of America’s most attractive locations. To help anglers plan their ideal adventure, FishingBooker has created a list of the 9 Best Fall Fishing Destinations for 2023. The Berkshires have been named at the top of the list. Here’s why:

Fall foliage is the perfect setting for chasing that trophy-sized catch while enjoying the scenic beauty of the landscapes along the way, and the Berkshires encompass it all. Comprised of extensive forests, breathtaking Appalachian trails, and numerous rivers and lakes, this region is beyond wonderful. If you’re an angler, hearing about mountain rivers and fall fishing probably tells you a lot about the species you can target in this region. The cold waters that run through the Berkshires are a fly fishing heaven.

To provide readers with an immersive experience of the beauty and excitement the Berkshires offer, here is a custom-made video we have created specifically for this destination. This video showcases the finest fishing spots, expert insights, and professional narration that will capture the attention of your audience.

The full unranked list of 9 best fall fishing destinations includes:

  • Berkshires, MA

  • San Diego, CA

  • Casper, WY

  • Lake of the Ozarks, MO

  • Grayling, MI

  • Buffalo, NY

  • Virginia Beach, VA

  • Asheville, NC

  • Kissimmee, FL

About FishingBooker:

With an offer of more than 42,000 fishing trips spanning over 2,000 cities across 110 countries, FishingBooker has gained the trust of countless fishing enthusiasts. Our platform has enabled hundreds of thousands of anglers to embark on fishing trips and create long-lasting memories with friends and family across the US – and beyond. By connecting anglers with skilled captains and the best fishing locations, we are committed to making fishing accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

—-

Here is a Dropbox folder that contains a long-form video of all destinations, as well as an additional image you may need if you decide to cover the story. Please feel free to use any of the materials included in the link, and do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance.

United Way of Greenville County: Volunteer with Vita
Nov 1 all-day
online
As tax season approaches, so does a growing need for bilingual volunteers with the United Way of Greenville County’s VITA program.
VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. This program provides an invaluable resource to the community. In fact, last year, nearly 400 VITA volunteers donated roughly 8,000 hours to this important financial stability program. Since 2006, VITA has filed nearly 110,000 returns, resulting in $141 million in saved tax preparation fees and refunds back into the community.
This year, United Way of Greenville County is specifically seeking bilingual (Spanish/English) volunteers to assist with our community’s Spanish speaking residents. Ready to jump in and serve? Head to the link below to get connected!
Upstate Food Access Interactive Map
Nov 1 all-day
online
It’s no secret that food insecurity is an issue facing many of our neighbors in the Upstate. Fortunately, there are countless organizations and resources working tirelessly to alleviate that stress!
Head over to our Upstate Food Access Resource Map to locate service providers near you!
Thursday, November 2, 2023
FESTIVAL SHOW PASS: Access to all New South Comedy Festival shows
Nov 2 all-day
Alchemy Comedy Theater at Coffee Underground

10 days. 21 shows. Countless laughs. From November 2nd-11th, over 150 improvisers, stand-up comedians, sketch and musical comedy guests from across the country will converge on Greenville, SC for the 10th Annual New South Comedy Festival.

You can purchase individual tickets to each show or use this pass to see all 21 shows! Seating is limited and general admission, so it’s always wise to pre-purchase your tickets online and arrive early. All shows will be at the Alchemy Comedy Theater in downtown Greenville, SC.

The 10th annual New South Comedy Festival will feature 10 straight days of comedy with 21 stand-up, improv, sketch, and musical comedy shows with guests from across the country from November 2-11th!

Old Farmer’s Ball Needs Volunteers
Nov 2 all-day
various locations

We love contra dance, and nobody gets paid for making the dances happen. We all just pitch in. You can too. Here’s how it works:

  • Help us OPEN or CLOSE, and dance for free all night long! It only takes 30 minutes to an hour.
  • Help us at the DOOR, and dance for free half the night AND another whole night!

ALSO – if you want to volunteer on a regular basis, e.g. work the early door every 3rd Thursday, tell us and we’ll set that up!

The Volunteer page on the OFB website has a convenient, easy-to-use sign-up form for each of our dances.

Kayla Birstein is our volunteer coordinator. If you have questions or ideas about volunteering, contact info is on the Volunteer page.

Volunteer Opportunities

Early Host: Arrive by 7:15, greet the sound tech, band, and caller. Get into the safe, take out the starter money, count and fill out pay-out sheet. And advise/supervise volunteers.

Openers (3 people needed): Early Arrive by 7:15 pm, check in with Early Host, sweep the hall, set up chairs, make sure the bathrooms are clean and stocked.

Early Door Person (2 people needed): Arrive by 7:30 check, in with Early Host, work when needed to take money at the door. Alternate with your other door people and Early host to switch off who sits and who dances. Goes ’til 9:00pm.

Closers (3 people needed): Job time: 10 minutes. Break down the hall, put away chairs, tables, sweep the floors, empty and take out trash. Check in with the Late Host to make sure everything is done

Late Host: Arrive by 9:30, check-in with Early Host, the pay-out form should be filled out. Dancers should pay full price until first contra after the waltz break. Count the money, do the payout, supervise breakdown and close the hall.

Ten at the Top Resource Maps
Nov 2 all-day
online
Curious about what organizations are helping Upstate veterans? Maybe you need a some info on schools in your area?
Whatever resource you’re looking for, TATT has a map for that!
Each month we’ll be highlighting one of our interactive resource maps, connecting you to the Upstate community more than ever before!
This month, we’re highlighting our Childcare Resources Map!
Whether you’re looking for daycare services for little ones, after school programs, or licensed care givers, this is your one-stop shop for everything you need!
The Berkshires Land: Fall Fishing Destinations
Nov 2 all-day
The Berkshires

As the summer is waning and the leaves change colors, anglers across the country eagerly await the start of fall fishing season in some of America’s most attractive locations. To help anglers plan their ideal adventure, FishingBooker has created a list of the 9 Best Fall Fishing Destinations for 2023. The Berkshires have been named at the top of the list. Here’s why:

Fall foliage is the perfect setting for chasing that trophy-sized catch while enjoying the scenic beauty of the landscapes along the way, and the Berkshires encompass it all. Comprised of extensive forests, breathtaking Appalachian trails, and numerous rivers and lakes, this region is beyond wonderful. If you’re an angler, hearing about mountain rivers and fall fishing probably tells you a lot about the species you can target in this region. The cold waters that run through the Berkshires are a fly fishing heaven.

To provide readers with an immersive experience of the beauty and excitement the Berkshires offer, here is a custom-made video we have created specifically for this destination. This video showcases the finest fishing spots, expert insights, and professional narration that will capture the attention of your audience.

The full unranked list of 9 best fall fishing destinations includes:

  • Berkshires, MA

  • San Diego, CA

  • Casper, WY

  • Lake of the Ozarks, MO

  • Grayling, MI

  • Buffalo, NY

  • Virginia Beach, VA

  • Asheville, NC

  • Kissimmee, FL

About FishingBooker:

With an offer of more than 42,000 fishing trips spanning over 2,000 cities across 110 countries, FishingBooker has gained the trust of countless fishing enthusiasts. Our platform has enabled hundreds of thousands of anglers to embark on fishing trips and create long-lasting memories with friends and family across the US – and beyond. By connecting anglers with skilled captains and the best fishing locations, we are committed to making fishing accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

—-

Here is a Dropbox folder that contains a long-form video of all destinations, as well as an additional image you may need if you decide to cover the story. Please feel free to use any of the materials included in the link, and do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance.

United Way of Greenville County: Volunteer with Vita
Nov 2 all-day
online
As tax season approaches, so does a growing need for bilingual volunteers with the United Way of Greenville County’s VITA program.
VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. This program provides an invaluable resource to the community. In fact, last year, nearly 400 VITA volunteers donated roughly 8,000 hours to this important financial stability program. Since 2006, VITA has filed nearly 110,000 returns, resulting in $141 million in saved tax preparation fees and refunds back into the community.
This year, United Way of Greenville County is specifically seeking bilingual (Spanish/English) volunteers to assist with our community’s Spanish speaking residents. Ready to jump in and serve? Head to the link below to get connected!
Storytime at Fiction Addiction
Nov 2 @ 10:30 am
Fiction Addiction

Fiction Addiction Storytime

Fiction Addiction hosts a free children’s storytime at our shop at 1175 Woods Crossing Rd. #5 every Thursday morning at 10:30am.

Bring your preschool children to Fiction Addiction for a free weekly storytime reading. Call us at 864-675-0540 or email us at [email protected] for the name of the book we will be reading each week. Children will also receive a coloring page associated with the story.

Visit : fictionaddiction.com

Volunteer: Greer Community Garden
Nov 2 @ 7:00 am
Greer Community Garden

Volunteer

Water our garden plot at the Greer Community Garden located at 218 West Road, Greer, SC. Our plots are 13,19,25,31. Coming from the parking lot, they will be the last 4 plots to the far left of the first section.

The best time to water is when the temperature is before 80° (in the morning before the sun is too high or in the late afternoon once it’s begun to set).

If you need anything, email Jenn [email protected]

Greenville State Farmers Market
Nov 2 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Greenville State Farmers Market

 

The Greenville State Farmers Market includes retail sheds and farmer stalls that offer a wide variety of locally grown products and specialty goods. Both quality and variety are standards for the volume of products offered for sale at the Greenville State Farmers Market. Market operations continue Monday – Saturday all year long, ceasing for only two holidays: Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Find information about upcoming events and what’s in season at our market’s Facebook page.

 

Office Hours

Monday – Friday  •  7:30 am – 4 pm
Closed on State Holidays

 

Retail Hours

Monday – Saturday  •  8 am – 6 pm
Admission and parking are free
Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Nov 2 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Exhibition: Parting Lines
Nov 2 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Greenville Center for Creative Arts

In Parting Lines, artists TeaYoun Kim-Kassor, Mayuko Ono Gray, and Sabre Esler explore common threads of human existence, memory, and identity through varying representations of lines, whether explicit or implied. Featuring over 30 intricate drawings, paintings, and silk works, Parting Lines invites us to consider the power of diverse perspectives converging on a shared exploration of what it means to be human.

TeaYoun Kim-Kassor’s installation series, “Modulation,” delves into the concept of identity and questions the interplay between personal history and migration. Her work speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with questions like “Who am I?” and “Where am I?” as we navigate life’s complexities. Sabre Esler’s art takes a markedly scientific approach, probing the invisible constructs of thoughts. Esler uses color theory to represent abstract ideas. Her “what if” hypotheses serve as a bridge between art and science, resonating with the exhibition’s theme of exploring uncharted territories of the human condition. Mayuko Ono Gray’s graphite drawings offer a unique blend of cultural influences, seamlessly merging traditional Japanese calligraphy with Western drawing practices. Ono Gray’s works capture everyday life experiences and incorporate matching Japanese proverbs, intricately woven into a single, continuous line of hiragana and kanji characters. The calligraphic line symbolizes the journey of life, from birth to death, echoing the overarching theme of the exhibition.

Top Image: Mayuko Ono Gray – 目に入れても痛くない_Apple in my eyes (Mark)
Bottom Images (Left to Right): TeaYoun Kim-Kassor – Modulation /  Sabre Esler – Anomaly
Mayuko Ono Gray
Mayuko Ono Gray is an artist based in Houston, TX whose primary medium is graphite drawing. Born in Gifu, Japan, she was trained in traditional Japanese calligraphy in her youth and later studied classical Western drawing. Ono Gray moved to the United States following high school and went on to receive an MFA in painting from the University of Houston in 2007. Ono Gray is the former Gallery Director and adjunct faculty at College of the Mainland, Texas City, TX. Gray served as an Instructor at the Glassell School of Art in Houston, TX in 2022. Her works are represented by Hooks-Epstein galleries in Houston, TX and Galeria 910 in Oaxaca, Mexico.

TeaYoun Kim-Kassor
TeaYoun Kim-Kassor is originally from South Korea, where she received her B.F.A. in Fine Arts at Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul.  She continued her research in Art Education as the Japanese equivalent of a Fulbright Scholar at Saitama University in Japan, where she earned a Master of Art Education (MAAE).  In America, Kim-Kassor continued her exploration of arts in the Terminal Degree in visual arts, M.F.A. program at the University of Tennessee, focusing on Spatial Practice.  Currently, she is a Professor and Department Chair of the Foundation Program at Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.

Sabre Esler
Sabre Esler (b. Cleveland, OH) lives and works in Atlanta Georgia. She received her MFA from SCAD, Atlanta and she received her BFA from Miami University, Oxford OH where she studied graphic design, illustration and biology. She is currently a studio artist at Atlanta Contemporary. Esler has taught  at Georgia State University, Perimeter College and SCAD. She is represented by Jennifer Balcos Gallery, Atlanta GA.

Monarchs and Milkweed: A Story of Survival
Nov 2 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Join us on a journey into the world of butterflies and plants, and see the complex relationship between monarchs and milkweed. “Monarchs and Milkweed” explores how very survival of these majestic creatures has been shaped over time by one another, traveling through the seasons of a calendar year and revealing how both insect and plant grow and interact, culminating in a massive migration that crosses a continent.

Anderson County Museum Gallery Open
Nov 2 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Anderson County Museum

Holidays The Museum is closed.

Sit + Sew
Nov 2 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Anderson County Museum
Would you love to learn how to start making quilts?

Join Tommy & friends at the Anderson County Museum for our weekly meet up!
During this fellowship we learn & share quilting and sewing knowledge.
Bring a sewing machine & share your projects or ask questions!
This program is free, but donations are accepted.


Email to get onto the schedule for class!
[email protected]

Cooking Up Confidence – Virtual Cooking Series
Nov 2 @ 5:45 pm – 7:15 pm
online

Cook along with various healthcare professionals from Diabetes Education, Food Services, and Cardiology from the comfort of your own home.

Cooking Up Confidence is a series of 4 virtual cooking classes and will cover a variety of different cooking techniques to make home-prepared meals easier and fun! Recipes can be adapted to meet your family’s needs.

5:45-7:15 PM every other Thursday: October 5, 19, November 2, 16

Classes will be taught using a FoodShare Spartanburg produce box, but are not required to participate. The recipe concepts and grocery list will be sent out by the Monday before class at the latest.

If using a box, you will need to pre-order, purchase, and pick up a box before each class. It’s easy! BOX ORDERS FOR THIS CLASS ARE DUE BY 2PM THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH.

Box pick up is at 147 Chapel St. Spartanburg, SC 29303 (right up from SMC, less than a mile) Wednesdays before class.

Order by calling Ruth’s Gleanings/FoodShare at 864-586-2840 or in-person at 147 Chapel St.

FoodShare boxes cost $21 credit/debit, $20 cash, or $5 for folks with SNAP. The boxes contain 9-12 varieties of produce, with a value of $20-$30, from South Carolina as much as possible. We will send out reminders for ordering before each class. You will also be responsible for purchasing some extra pantry staples and optional proteins.

There are two main goals for the classes:

1) To teach basic skills to be comfortable cooking and substituting ingredients for what you have or want to use.

2) Have fun in the kitchen cooking with others and their families!

Components of the class include food safety, cooking methods, cooking skills, food storage tips, and nutrition. We recommend these classes for people who want to expand their comfort with cooking, and we encourage children ten years and up to join in!

We will ask you to answer some survey questions for us at three different points during and after the class to tweak these classes to be effective for future community members. Participants must sign a liability waiver before participating.