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.

Thursday, May 11, 2023
Anderson County Museum Gallery Open
May 11 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Anderson County Museum

Holidays The Museum is closed.

Sit + Sew
May 11 @ 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]

Teacher Happy Hour
May 11 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
M. Judson Booksellers

Calling all teachers for a special night out! With a teacher ID you’ll get a free glass of our house bubbles or beer and receive a 15% discount on any purchase! We’ll also be doing a few extra special giveaways because we love you and you deserve it.

*discount does not apply to events, book clubs, alcohol, or catering

Virtual Planetarium Sky Tour
May 11 @ 6:30 pm
online w/ South Carolina State Museum

via Facebook
Join State Museum planetarium manager, Liz Klimek, on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month for a virtual exploration of the stars, planets and constellations you can observe in night-sky. These programs premier on the museum’s Facebook page at the designated time listed above.

Friday, May 12, 2023
Leadership Spartanburg Progarm
May 12 all-day
online

Applications for the 2023-24 class of Leadership Spartanburg are open, and will be accepted through June 15, 2023.
Leadership Spartanburg’s next class will run from September 2023 through May 2024, focusing on community information and issues, volunteerism and leadership development. Sessions are held one day a month from 8:30 AM- 4 PM, typically on the third Thursday of the month.

PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES

Leadership Spartanburg gives you a hand in shaping our community’s future.

But, is Leadership Spartanburg for you?

  • Leadership Spartanburg is for anyone who has looked around our county and felt inspired.
  • Leadership for anyone who wants to have a lot of fun meeting 40 other interesting, passionate people from all walks of life.
  • It’s for anyone who has noticed something in our neighborhoods that could be better and wanted to help fix the problem.

Leadership Spartanburg’s approach to community issues is open and honest about the good and the bad. Meetings will challenge you personally and professionally, but challenges are always framed to encourage realistic positive action.

Getting the most out of Leadership Spartanburg requires a long, thoughtful look around as you dig into the program of monthly meetings and experiential small-group learning projects. Leadership Spartanburg will prepare participants to work within their own community and the region as effective leaders capable of making decisions.

The main objectives of Leadership Spartanburg are to:

  • Identify and select highly motivated, potential community leaders to participate in the program.
  • Systematically challenge the participants to become aware of, examine, and respond to the social and economic needs of the community.
  • Develop an esprit de corps among the participants, which will provide a common ground for working together on present and future community needs.
  • Identify organizational and individual opportunities for community involvement and assist in the placement of participants.

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

Time commitment: An opening session followed by an eight-month curriculum that focuses on community information and issues.

Tuition:

  • OneSpartanburg, Inc. Members: $1,895
  • Non-members: $2,295

Selection Criteria

  • Civic Involvement
  • Leadership Potential
  • Diversity Perspective
  • Commitment to the Leadership Program and the community

2023-24 Session Topics

  • Talent, Place, Economy and Image
  • Spartanburg’s History & Where We’re Headed
  • Fostering Spartanburg’s Educational Attainment
  • Community Issues: Challenges & Successes
  • Spartanburg County’s Economic Excellence
  • Local Talent to Promote Community Cohesion
  • Spartanburg’s Quality of Life & Cultural Assets
  • Health & Wellness: Impacting the Local Communities
Playhouse Jr. Summer Camps
May 12 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse

The Education program at Flat Rock Playhouse is undergoing a name change! We are excited to streamline our program and we can’t wait to share the news with you!

Our new name will be Playhouse Jr.!

 

This new name will encompass many things. You might ask….what is Playhouse Jr.?

• Playhouse Jr. is classes and camps for K-12th Graders and Adults.
• Playhouse Jr. is mainstage shows performed by our Playhouse Jr. students and families.
• Playhouse Jr. is our touring company that visits our local schools and is performed by our fall apprentices.
• Playhouse Jr. is a licensing program for our new and exciting Playhouse Jr. touring shows!

Playhouse Jr. means many things and we are excited to share this news with our community!

We are introducing a new software system for our Playhouse Jr. families! This new system will make your life easier! Once you have registered you are in our system for good. That means that once you register all you have to do is access your account to purchase any classes and camps moving forward. No need to register every time!

To register for our new system and to enroll in classes please visit this link: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regv2.asp?id=548849

Questions? Please email [email protected]!

Want to register over the phone? No problem! You can call our Education Director, Lauren Hopkins at (828)693-0403 ext. 246 starting Monday March 6!

SC Women In Leadership: City of Spartanburg boards and commissions: positions available
May 12 all-day
online

On local boards and commissions across the country, women are particularly underrepresented on more so-called “masculine” boards like planning, construction, and transportation boards. It’s not always a matter of men being chosen over women. Often, it’s because women simply don’t apply to these boards.

Right now the City of Spartanburg has 11 boards and commissions with available positions, including the:

Imagine the difference we could make for equal representation if we could ensure half of the applications they receive are from women. In fact, research shows that underrepresented groups can have a larger impact on policy through appointed positions than elected ones.

Will you help us improve diversity and give women in your community a say in the policies that affect them? Applications are being accepted now through June. Apply to serve on a board or commission for Spartanburg and encourage your friends to apply, too.

Want to learn more about boards and commissions including the role they play in government, what it’s like to serve, and opportunities at the statewide level? Join us for our annual SpringBoard Conference on May 20th sponsored by Duke Energy and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

Spartanburg County STEM Educator of the Year Awards
May 12 all-day
online w/ Spartanburg Science Center

For 45 years The John F. Green Spartanburg Science Center has supported STEM learning for students, teachers, and after school clubs in Spartanburg County. During a typical year the Science Center team serves more than 20,000+ children with standards based STEM Education in all seven school districts and provides professional development for teachers.

 

And we believe our STEM educators should be celebrated. 

 

As part of our 45th Anniversary celebration, the Spartanburg Science Center is thrilled to launch the inaugural Spartanburg STEM Educator of the Year Awards, acknowledging the creativity, perseverance, and fortitude of our K-12 public school educators in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This award is for teachers who are making a significant difference in the lives of students across the county by providing excellent curriculum, encouraging lifelong learning, and inspiring a passion for STEM beyond the classroom.  2023 winner will be announced on October 5th in Spartanburg at the Chapman Cultural Center.

Summer Camps at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute-PARI
May 12 all-day
PARI

Camps for all passions and interests

Summer STEM & Astronomy, and Space Exploration Camps

Residential summer camps for kids in grades 6th-12th on topics like astronomy, robotics, cryptography, and 3D modeling and printing, and more. Including our premiere camp experience, Above and Beyond.

25" Optical telescope observing at night

Weekend STEM & Astronomy, and Space Exploration Camps

Curriculum or astronomical event based camps for educators and scout leaders.

Don Cline making presentation

Tailored Camps

Build your own camping experience according to your interest.

Summer Counselor Application
6/1 – 7/31
Ages 17 years 6 months – 99
$0.00
REGISTER
Counselor in Training Application – Full Summer Session
6/11 2 PM – 7/27 10 AM
Ages 16 years 6 months – 18 years 6 mont
$0.00
REGISTER
Counselor in Training Application – Mini Session 1
6/11 2 PM – 6/30 10 AM
Ages 16 years 6 months – 18 years 6 mont
$0.00
REGISTER
Exoplanet Exploration
6/11 4 PM – 6/22 10 AM
Grades 8th – 12th
$3,960.00
REGISTER
Secrets of a Spy Station
6/25 4 PM – 6/30 10 AM
Grades 6th – 8th
$1,700.00
REGISTER
Counselor in Training Application – Mini Session 2
7/2 2 PM – 7/27 10 AM
Ages 16 years 6 months – 18 years 6 mont
$0.00
REGISTER
Above & Beyond
7/2 4 PM – 7/13 10 AM
Grades 9th – 12th
$3,960.00
REGISTER
Milky Way Trailblazers
7/16 4 PM – 7/27 10 AM
Grades 9th – 12th
$3,960.00
REGISTER
VIRTUAL RAILFAN is live!
May 12 all-day
online w/ Hub City RR Museum

VIRTUAL RAILFAN is live from the Hub City RR Museum in Spartanburg.

The Virtual Railfan cameras were installed on Tuesday, July 6th at the Hub City Railroad Museum. There is one camera looking north and one looking south. The Hub City RR Museum wants to thank the City of Spartanburg for allowing us to install the cameras, and to Virtual Railfan for the install. We have already seen over 300 railfans at one time watching the video feed.
Links to live feeds: [North Camera feed] [South Camera feed]

Carolina Railroad Heritage Association

CRHA LogoThe Carolina Railroad Heritage Association is a <501(c)(3)> not for profit local association of approximately eighty members who enjoy railroads and railroad history. The CRHA is currently meeting the third Friday of each month in Fountain Inn, SC at 7:00 pm. Programs at the meetings include presentations on historical and current railroads and are presented by members as well as outside speakers. Our activities include a photo contest, occasional field trips to local railroad sites, picnics and a December pot luck dinner. CRHA members volunteer at our museum and caboose in Spartanburg, SC. If you have an interest in railroads, contact Dave Winans at [email protected] for more information about the CRHA.

For membership, please download and print the membership application and follow the instructions.

Museum Hours:
Wed: 10am – 2pm
Sat: 10am – 2pm

Boxes Needed: Greer Relief
May 12 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Greer Relief

Boxes !!

Keep Bringing Daily

This is a great opportunity for kids to get volunteer hours. Please email Jenn at [email protected] if you are interested in signing up. We have 5 open spots weekly at the grocery of your choice.

We appreciate the hard work put into acquiring these milk boxes. We need 50-100 boxes a week to keep from having to order bags.

If you make a connection with a grocery store, please let me know what support is needed.

Food Pantry Donations Needed
May 12 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Greer Relief

Donation Needs

Food Pantry

Cereal

Peanut Butter

Jelly

Rice

Mac & Cheese

Household Items

Shampoo

Paper Towels

Deodorant

Multi-purpose Cleaner

Toothpaste & Brushes

If you are unable to donate in person, consider using our Amazon Wishlist:

Amazon Wishlist
Anderson County Museum Gallery Open
May 12 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Anderson County Museum

Holidays The Museum is closed.

Free Drive-Thru Document Shredding Event
May 12 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Anderson Mall

May 12th, 2023

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: Anderson Mall

Admission: FREE

Better Business Bureau® of the Upstate & AARP® South Carolina are partnering together to host Secure Your ID “Shred Day,” a national event created to promote awareness about identity theft and fraud protection. Individuals and businesses can take advantage of FREE on-site document shredding and take home practical tips to prevent identity theft online and off.

Maximum number of banker “10” x 12″ x 15″ size” boxes or kitchen “13 gallon size” plastic bags per consumer, business and vehicle is 3 total. Cardboard boxes will be emptied and returned to consumers. Please, DO NOT bring the following items: desktop computers, monitors, laptops, printers, or external hard drives.

In an effort to shred your sensitive documents in a timely manner, there is no need to remove binders, binder clips, paper clips, staples, rubber bands, or CDs/DVDs prior to shredding. Due to safety concerns and to ensure that we are able to serve as many vehicles as possible, we are unable to accept attendees on foot or allow consumers to get out of their vehicle to watch their paper shredded.

The complimentary shred event is first come, first serve or until the shred trucks fill up, so coming early is advised. For more information about Shred Day, contact the Better Business Bureau of the Upstate at (864) 242-5052.

Secure Your ID “Shred Day” in Anderson
May 12 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Anderson Mall

Better Business Bureau® of the Upstate & AARP® South Carolina are partnering together to host Secure Your ID “Shred Day,” a national event created to promote awareness about identity theft and fraud protection. Individuals and businesses can take advantage of FREE on-site document shredding and take home practical tips to prevent identity theft online and off.

Maximum number of banker “10” x 12″ x 15″ size” boxes or kitchen “13 gallon size” plastic bags per consumer, business and vehicle is 3 total. Cardboard boxes will be emptied and returned to consumers. Please, DO NOT bring the following items: desktop computers, monitors, laptops, printers, or external hard drives.

In an effort to shred your sensitive documents in a timely manner, there is no need to remove binders, binder clips, paper clips, staples, rubber bands, or CDs/DVDs prior to shredding. Due to safety concerns and to ensure that we are able to serve as many vehicles as possible, we are unable to accept attendees on foot or allow consumers to get out of their vehicle to watch their paper shredded.

The complimentary shred event is first come, first serve or until the shred trucks fill up, so coming early is advised. For more information about Shred Day, contact the Better Business Bureau of the Upstate at (864) 242-5052.

Saturday, May 13, 2023
Summer Camps at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute-PARI
May 13 all-day
PARI

Camps for all passions and interests

Summer STEM & Astronomy, and Space Exploration Camps

Residential summer camps for kids in grades 6th-12th on topics like astronomy, robotics, cryptography, and 3D modeling and printing, and more. Including our premiere camp experience, Above and Beyond.

25" Optical telescope observing at night

Weekend STEM & Astronomy, and Space Exploration Camps

Curriculum or astronomical event based camps for educators and scout leaders.

Don Cline making presentation

Tailored Camps

Build your own camping experience according to your interest.

Summer Counselor Application
6/1 – 7/31
Ages 17 years 6 months – 99
$0.00
REGISTER
Counselor in Training Application – Full Summer Session
6/11 2 PM – 7/27 10 AM
Ages 16 years 6 months – 18 years 6 mont
$0.00
REGISTER
Counselor in Training Application – Mini Session 1
6/11 2 PM – 6/30 10 AM
Ages 16 years 6 months – 18 years 6 mont
$0.00
REGISTER
Exoplanet Exploration
6/11 4 PM – 6/22 10 AM
Grades 8th – 12th
$3,960.00
REGISTER
Secrets of a Spy Station
6/25 4 PM – 6/30 10 AM
Grades 6th – 8th
$1,700.00
REGISTER
Counselor in Training Application – Mini Session 2
7/2 2 PM – 7/27 10 AM
Ages 16 years 6 months – 18 years 6 mont
$0.00
REGISTER
Above & Beyond
7/2 4 PM – 7/13 10 AM
Grades 9th – 12th
$3,960.00
REGISTER
Milky Way Trailblazers
7/16 4 PM – 7/27 10 AM
Grades 9th – 12th
$3,960.00
REGISTER
VIRTUAL RAILFAN is live!
May 13 all-day
online w/ Hub City RR Museum

VIRTUAL RAILFAN is live from the Hub City RR Museum in Spartanburg.

The Virtual Railfan cameras were installed on Tuesday, July 6th at the Hub City Railroad Museum. There is one camera looking north and one looking south. The Hub City RR Museum wants to thank the City of Spartanburg for allowing us to install the cameras, and to Virtual Railfan for the install. We have already seen over 300 railfans at one time watching the video feed.
Links to live feeds: [North Camera feed] [South Camera feed]

Carolina Railroad Heritage Association

CRHA LogoThe Carolina Railroad Heritage Association is a <501(c)(3)> not for profit local association of approximately eighty members who enjoy railroads and railroad history. The CRHA is currently meeting the third Friday of each month in Fountain Inn, SC at 7:00 pm. Programs at the meetings include presentations on historical and current railroads and are presented by members as well as outside speakers. Our activities include a photo contest, occasional field trips to local railroad sites, picnics and a December pot luck dinner. CRHA members volunteer at our museum and caboose in Spartanburg, SC. If you have an interest in railroads, contact Dave Winans at [email protected] for more information about the CRHA.

For membership, please download and print the membership application and follow the instructions.

Museum Hours:
Wed: 10am – 2pm
Sat: 10am – 2pm

South Carolina State Museum Accessibility Mornings
May 13 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
South Carolina State Museum

This program provides free access for families of children, teenagers, and young adults who would benefit from a sensory-friendly experience and quieter setting at the museum.

Guests who are neurodiverse, autistic, or have other disabilities can experience the museum’s exhibitions at their own pace and enjoy other special activities.

General Admission to Accessibility Morning is Free for participants.

Accessibility Morning Schedule:

  • 9 – 11 a.m. | Sensory Room Available
  • 9 – 10 a.m. | Program Partners Present
  • 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. | Character Meet-and-Greet with The Cat in the Hat
  • 9:45 a.m. | Select Sensory Show – Earth, Moon and Sun planetarium experience *

An ASL Interpreter will be available during the 9:30 a.m. story time and the 9:45 a.m. sensory show. ASL interpretation is provided by certified interpreters through the SC School for the Deaf and Blind.

*Sensory Friendly Shows will alternate monthly between planetarium and 4D theater experiences. Shows feature lowered volume, however 4d experiences still include enhanced effects, including bursts of air, rumbling seats, leg ticklers, bubbles and snow, lighting effects, and squirts of water. Accessibility Morning shows are free but space is limited.

Anderson County Museum Gallery Open
May 13 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Anderson County Museum

Holidays The Museum is closed.

AB-Tech Graduation Spring 2023 Commencement
May 13 @ 2:00 pm
Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville