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, September 18, 2023
Swamp Rabbit Trail Tour
Sep 18 @ 2:30 pm
Reedy Rides

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 22-mile multi-use (walking and bicycling) greenway that traverses along the Reedy River, an old railroad corridor and City parks to connect Travelers Rest with the city of Greenville, South Carolina.

From our location, you can venture south on the trail through Greenville’s many parks. The Swamp Rabbit links up with Falls Park on the Reedy, Cancer Survivors Park and down into Cleveland Park. Heading north, you’ll see how the trail has transformed from an old railbed to a thriving trail with many breweries and eateries, as you head toward Furman University (7 miles) and Travelers Rest (1 miles).

Anderson Road Library: STEM Studies: Forensics
Sep 18 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Anderson Road Library

Drop-in to try science experiments involving fingerprinting and DNA, for ages 5-12.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Take our Science Center survey
Sep 19 all-day
online
Take our Science Center survey to share feedback for future planning!
The first 50 responses will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift card of your choice! We have partnered with Heightened Development to facilitate this process. All responses will remain confidential. The survey will remain open until September 21st, but we encourage you to respond as soon as possible through the link below.
Survey
Volunteer: Greer Community Garden
Sep 19 @ 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]

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Sep 19 @ 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!

Tri-ART: Call of the Wild
Sep 19 @ 9:30 am
Brocks Center for Performing Arts

Jack London’s classic tale comes to life on stage. This multi-media adventure mixes performance and storytelling with projected illustrations to tell the story of Buck, the magnificent offspring of a St. Bernard and Scottish Collie.

Kidnapped from his lavish life on a California estate and sent to work as a sled dog during the great Klondike Gold Rush of the 1800s, Buck becomes the most famous dog in the northland’s history and discovers the endurance and strength of his wild, primal ancestors as their call courses through his blood. A thrilling tale of courage and survival.

The production uses 180-degree projection that surrounds the performer and provides scenic, artistic, and historical context to the show through their content. The images feature a unique mix of Philip R. Goodwin’s classical illustrations from the book’s first edition, period photographs, and brand-new drawings and animations created by artist Michael Rae.

 

Volunteer w/ The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen
Sep 19 @ 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen
The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen has been serving the community since 1981. With the goal of nourishing those in need both physically and spiritually, they have become an irreplaceable resource in Spartanburg.
In addition to their regular services, the soup kitchen also provides a “children’s corner” which offers a special place for kids to enjoy a meal and engage in activities such as story time or drawing with volunteers and other guests.

Volunteer Opportunities

(Anytime between 9:30-1:30)
Food Prep
Load and unload incoming donations
Organize pantry
Assemble children’s take-home bags
Dishwasher duty
Food line servers
After lunch clean up (Tables, chairs, floors)

Berea Library: Story Time
Sep 19 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am
Berea Library

Stories, music, and activities that help children ages 5 and under develop social, listening, and comprehension skills.

Five Forks Library: Bouncing Babies
Sep 19 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am
Five Forks Library

Meeting Rooms A & B Stories, rhymes, music, and bouncing games for ages 1 – 18 mos. Includes play time for hands-on exploring and social skill development.

Greer Library: Talk Like a Pirate Story Time
Sep 19 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am
Greer Library

Join us for a special story time with a pirate theme for ages 5 & under. Children are invited to dress up.

Hughes Main Library Story Time
Sep 19 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am
Hughes Main Library

Story Room Stories, music, and activities that help children ages 5 and under develop social, listening, and comprehension skills.

Simpsonville Library: Mother Goose on the Loose
Sep 19 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am
Simpsonville Library

Nursery rhymes are used to create nurturing play experiences for ages 1-24 mos. Maximum of 3 children per adult caregiver. Attendance is limited to 40 per program.

Hughes Main Library Stay and Play!
Sep 19 @ 10:30 am – 11:15 am
Hughes Main Library

Meeting Rooms A & B Build Kindergarten readiness skills at this drop-in event for ages 2 – 6.

Nantahala Gorge Excursion
Sep 19 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

TAKE A TRAIN RIDE ALONG SIDE THE BEAUTIFUL NANTAHALA RIVER ON OUR NANTAHALA GORGE EXCURSION! DEPARTING FROM BRYSON CITY, THIS 4½ HOUR ROUNDTRIP EXCURSION CARRIES YOU 44 MILES TO THE NANTAHALA GORGE AND BACK AGAIN ARRIVING AT OUR BRYSON CITY DEPOT.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains while traveling along the Tennessee and Nantahala (nan-tuh-HAY-luh) River. The historic trellis bridge Fontana Trestle takes you across Fontana Lake and into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Onboard dining is available in First Class Seating and selecting from our  First Class Dinning menu options OR you can pre-purchase a box lunch option to make this an amazing unique moving dining experience. Arrive at our layover destination in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge for a one-hour layover where you can relax by the river or enjoy sightseeing!

Itinerary

30m before departure Boarding begins at Bryson City Depot
See schedule for departure time Depart Bryson City, NC
1h 45m Reach top of the line
2h 00m Begin return
2h 30m—3h 30m Layover
3h 30m Depart Layover
4h 30m Arrive at Bryson City Depot
Time from Departure Activity
Pelham Road Library: Stay and Play!
Sep 19 @ 10:30 am – 11:15 am
Pelham Road Library

Build Kindergarten readiness skills at this drop-in event for ages 2 – 6.

Simpsonville Library Toddler Tales
Sep 19 @ 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Simpsonville Library

Stories, movement, and music for ages 19+ mos.

The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad
Sep 19 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:

  • An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
  • A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
  • Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels

Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.

Empower Hour
Sep 19 @ 11:30 am
YWCA of Asheville

Join us for Empower Hour, a one-hour program and facility tour where you will experience firsthand the YWCA’s work to bridge gaps in earning power, education, health & wellness and access to childcare.

Empower Hours take place twice a month on the first and third Tuesday at 11:30 am.
Lunch is served as part of our Empower Hour, so reservations are required.

To make a reservation: contact Elizabeth Alvandi, Advancement Assistant, at (828) 254-7206 ext. 103 or [email protected].

Tri-ART: Call of the Wild
Sep 19 @ 11:30 am
Brocks Center for Performing Arts

Jack London’s classic tale comes to life on stage. This multi-media adventure mixes performance and storytelling with projected illustrations to tell the story of Buck, the magnificent offspring of a St. Bernard and Scottish Collie.

Kidnapped from his lavish life on a California estate and sent to work as a sled dog during the great Klondike Gold Rush of the 1800s, Buck becomes the most famous dog in the northland’s history and discovers the endurance and strength of his wild, primal ancestors as their call courses through his blood. A thrilling tale of courage and survival.

The production uses 180-degree projection that surrounds the performer and provides scenic, artistic, and historical context to the show through their content. The images feature a unique mix of Philip R. Goodwin’s classical illustrations from the book’s first edition, period photographs, and brand-new drawings and animations created by artist Michael Rae.

 

Guided Trail Walk
Sep 19 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.

Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.

Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.

Know Before You Go

  • Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
  • Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
  • Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
  • Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
  • COVID-19 Safety: In order to hear the guide and fully participate in the trail walk, participants will be in close proximity to one another for extended periods of time. While face coverings are not required, participants should use their best judgement to keep themselves and others safe while enjoying the trails. Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not participate.
  • At this time, no more than 6 spaces may be filled by a single family/group through pre-registration for any one Guided Trail Walk. If additional spaces are available on the day of the Walk, additional members of the family/group may participate. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming larger groups in the future.