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

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Friday, September 22, 2023
Live Music
Sep 22 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
RJ Rockers Brewing Company
Yoga with a View
Sep 22 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Cost: Includes Park admission: $35 Adult, $25 Annual Passholder. Advance registration required.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Greenville BBQ Trail Tour
Sep 23 all-day
Various Locations Greenville SC

While Downtown Greenville’s familiar culinary scene has some great BBQ options, this tour will take you outside of the city center to the places locals know and love. These are the types of joints with smoke stacks sticking out of the rooftops and white smoke billowing out of the chimneys–smoking the meats right on the premises.

The Greenville BBQ Trail tour is your opportunity to try back-to-back tastings of what are considered by many to be among the top BBQ spots in the city.

Tours include:

• Insights into each restaurant’s cooking processes and techniques
• Information about each restaurant’s history and how they got started
• Interesting information about Greenville BBQ history
• A drive through old textile mill villages
• And, of course, a chance to try generous portions of smoked meats and delicious sides

Locations we visit:

• Bucky’s Bar-B-Q
• Henry’s Smokehouse
• Mike & Jeff’s BBQ

OneSpartanburg Beautiful mini-grants
Sep 23 all-day
online

Do you, your neighborhood group, or other community organization have a beautification project you’d like to tackle? Apply for a Keep OneSpartanburg Beautiful Community Beautification Mini-Grant before Sept. 30 and help improve Spartanburg County’s environment. The work of our community’s Keep America Beautiful affiliate is directly tied to the OneSpartanburg Vision Plan.

The Greenville BBQ Trail Tour
Sep 23 all-day
The Greenville BBQ Trail Tour
A plate of barbeque and side dishes.

Greenville’s BBQ scene has been gaining more and more national attention, and it was most notably ranked a Top 10 BBQ City in America by Yahoo.com.

While downtown Greenville’s familiar culinary scene has some great BBQ options, this tour will take you outside of the city center to the places locals know and love. These are the types of joints with smoke stacks sticking out of the rooftops and white smoke billowing out of the chimneys — smoking the meats right on the premises.

The Greenville BBQ Trail Tour, presented by Greenville History Tours, is your opportunity to try back-to-back tastings of what are considered by many to be among the top BBQ spots in the city.

The tours include insights into each restaurant’s cooking processes and techniques, information about each restaurant’s history, interesting information about the city’s BBQ history, a drive through old textile mill villages, and of course generous portions of smoked meats and delicious sides.

The tours usually take place on Saturdays from 10:30 am to 12:45 am and meet at City Hall. Tickets are $55 per person.

Visit greenvillehistorytours.com/greenville-culinary-tours/bbq-trail/ or call (864) 567-3940 for additional information.

Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience
Sep 23 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas! Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century. Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made. Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and our popular Cajun seasoned Pulled Pork BBQ with Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce cooked in our special spices and slow roasted to perfection! During the month of October, 9am departures will feature the option of a delicious Cheesy Shrimp & Grits or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole while 2pm departures will be served the popular BBQ meal.

Nantahala Gorge Excursion
Sep 23 @ 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
Project Host BBQ Cook-Off September
Sep 23 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Flour Field

Competition brings out the best in us, right? But a BBQ competition might just bring out the very best in us! Join us Friday, September 22 for the Anything Butt Contest and enjoy appetizers, sides, and desserts prepared by our cookers along with live entertainment, while the little ones enjoy the Kids Zone!

Winners of the Cook-Off will be announces on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. so get here early to sample all the offerings along with the judges. Live entertainment and the Kids Zone will be open!

The event is free with tickets for food samples and select activities sold at the gate.

Join us Friday for the Anything Butt Contest and enjoy appetizers, sides and desserts prepared by our cookers along with live entertainment, while the little ones enjoy the Kids Zone.

Winners of the Cook-off will be announced on Saturday at 1:30pm, so et here early to sample all of the offerings along with the judges. Kids Zone and live entertainment will be open. Please see the Project Host BBQ website for more.

InnoVenture Futures Festival
Sep 23 @ 11:30 am – 5:30 pm
Hyatt Regency Greenville

Innovation is a contact sport

On September 23, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Greenville, a dynamic group of thought leaders is meeting at the InnoVenture Futures Festival to explore creating the future for ourselves, our organizations, and our region.

It’s a Festival, so we’ll connect over inspiring presentations, delicious food, and great music. We’ll explore combining our passions with our professions in the Jazz of Sales, Excelling at an Olympic Level, and the Dance of Bioengineering. Big organizations will present their innovation priority needs which are business development and job opportunities for others.

A networking lunch and a long networking break with an interesting technology demonstration will provide time for great connections to make attending the Festival worthwhile. We’ll end the evening with live music and beverages on Noma Square outside the Hyatt.

We’ll help optimize your networking by distributing free to those registered to attend the inaugural Carolina Crescent Smart Manufacturing Report documenting the needs and capabilities of 50+ manufacturers, logistics organizations, technology providers, colleges and universities, and economic and workforce development agencies.

We’ll set the foundation for a multi-day 2024 Festival of Festivals on the Canvas of Greenville with multiple events by numerous organizations tapping into our global relationships to “Bring the World to the Carolina Crescent.”

Your insights are valuable to us. We appreciate you joining us as we explore together how to predict our future by creating it.

Agenda

11:30

Registration and Networking

12:00

Networking  Lunch & Music by John Sterling

12:45

Welcome & Introduction

12:50

Designing the 2024 Festival of Festivals on the Canvas of Greenville – VisitGreenvilleSC and InnoVenture

1:00

A Vision, a Purpose, and Someone to Lead
Smart Ecosystems – Brent Westmoreland, IT Director – Strategy, CyberSecurity, Innovation, BMW Information Technology Research Center

1:15

The Jazz of Sales – John Sterling, serial entrepreneur and Sales Mentor and Owner of  theNoob School

  1:30

Excelling at an Olympic Level – Dr. John Blackburn, USA Track and Field Hall of Fame Official and manufacturing expert

  1:45

Carolina Crescent Consortium Introduction  – John Warner, InnoVenture

  1:50

Define What’s Essential
Smart Manufacturing Innovation Priorities

–  ZF Group

–  Robert Bosch

–  Sonoco

–  KEMET

–  Arthrex

–  BorgWarner

–  CoLinx

–  GSP Airport

3:10

Networking  Break and Musical Performance

  3:50

Developing our workforce: Greenville Tech, Florence Darlington  Tech, Community Works, REEM, Greenville Workforce Dev Bd

  4:10

Retaining College Graduates: CU-ICAR, Clemson Bioengineering, Upstate SC Alliance, GADC, Anderson Economic Development

4:30

Creating Your Future in the Age of AI

The Future of Smart Healthcare

– Dr. Bruce Gao, South Carolina SmartState Endowed Chair in Biofabrication Engineering

4:45

The Dance of Bioengineering

– Dr. Delphine Dean, Chair of the Clemson Department of Bioengineering

5:00

Enormous Opportunities in  an AI-Powered World

– Jack Neil, MD and Founder/CEO of HANK.ai

5:15

AI Design of the 2024 Futures Festival

5:30

Closing Remarks

Wee Wine + Dahlias
Sep 23 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Bullington Gardens
Bullington Gardens invites you to experience the epitome of exclusivity with their new and exciting offering – twilight parties in the enchanting gardens. Now accepting reservations, this is your chance to indulge in a truly magical evening with your own private group of eight. From August 15 to October 14, 2023, Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30-6:30p.m., immerse yourself in nature’s wonders while delighting your palate with locally-sourced wines and cider, all in the company of the resplendent Dahlias in full bloom.

Picture this: you and your closest companions, relishing the serenity of the gardens, sipping on delectable beverages, and taking leisurely strolls amidst the breathtaking flora. To ensure an intimate experience, each group of up to eight will have their own private party. Whether you prefer the charming pavilion or the festive tents, the choice is yours. And fear not, for even if the rain tries to dampen the mood, the horticultural therapy greenhouse is ready to shelter you.

With only two groups accommodated each evening, you’ll have the pleasure of enjoying your own secluded space. Each group’s table will be beautifully set in separate venues, adorned with fresh floral arrangements that you can take home as a keepsake. As the host, you have the opportunity to curate a culinary masterpiece by bringing your own hors d’oeuvres or even an entire meal. Imagine the delight of savoring delicious food amidst an unparalleled view, creating an unforgettable private party.

The cost for a table of eight is $300 per group, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience. If you’re interested in elevating your involvement, consider a sponsorship level of $500. By participating in this extraordinary event, you will not only create cherished memories but also support the Educational and Horticultural Therapy programs dedicated to children and adults with special needs.

To secure your spot for the Wee Wine & Dahlias evening of your dreams, reserve below or give us a call at 828-698-6104. Remember, availability is limited, so make sure to secure your reservation early. Get ready to immerse yourself in an evening of enchantment at Bullington Gardens!

August 15th through October 14th, 2023. Tuesday-Saturday, 4:30pm-6:30pm.

Live Music
Sep 23 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
RJ Rockers Brewing Company
Sunday, September 24, 2023
OneSpartanburg Beautiful mini-grants
Sep 24 all-day
online

Do you, your neighborhood group, or other community organization have a beautification project you’d like to tackle? Apply for a Keep OneSpartanburg Beautiful Community Beautification Mini-Grant before Sept. 30 and help improve Spartanburg County’s environment. The work of our community’s Keep America Beautiful affiliate is directly tied to the OneSpartanburg Vision Plan.

Upstate Food Access Interactive Map
Sep 24 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!
Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience
Sep 24 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas! Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century. Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made. Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and our popular Cajun seasoned Pulled Pork BBQ with Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce cooked in our special spices and slow roasted to perfection! During the month of October, 9am departures will feature the option of a delicious Cheesy Shrimp & Grits or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole while 2pm departures will be served the popular BBQ meal.

Nantahala Gorge Excursion
Sep 24 @ 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
Boozy Book Fair
Sep 24 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Southernside Brewing

There was nothing like the elementary school book fair – the smell of new books in the air, the rush of racing your friends to find the next installment of your favorite series, and, if you were lucky, the crinkle of money from Mom in your pocket.

Life felt so much easier back then, didn’t it? Don’t you find yourself wishing from time to time that you could just go back?

This August, you can – but we’re doing it grown-up style.

Don’t miss our Boozy Book Fair at Southernside Brewing (25 Delano Dr Unit D, Greenville, SC 29601) on Sunday, September 24th from 1-3pm!

Book categories will include:

-Geeks & Gamers

-Read the Rainbow

-Gothic & Ghastly

-Adulting

-When Nature Calls

-Criminally Good Reads

-Myths & Fairy Tales

-Meet Cute Moments

-Bookclub Picks

-Young at Heart

-Truth ‘R Us

…and much much more!

This event is FREE and open to the public, so bring your friends! Be sure to RSVP so we have the booze + books ready – we can’t wait to see you there.

Monday, September 25, 2023
OneSpartanburg Beautiful mini-grants
Sep 25 all-day
online

Do you, your neighborhood group, or other community organization have a beautification project you’d like to tackle? Apply for a Keep OneSpartanburg Beautiful Community Beautification Mini-Grant before Sept. 30 and help improve Spartanburg County’s environment. The work of our community’s Keep America Beautiful affiliate is directly tied to the OneSpartanburg Vision Plan.

Upstate Food Access Interactive Map
Sep 25 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!
Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience
Sep 25 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas! Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century. Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made. Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and our popular Cajun seasoned Pulled Pork BBQ with Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce cooked in our special spices and slow roasted to perfection! During the month of October, 9am departures will feature the option of a delicious Cheesy Shrimp & Grits or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole while 2pm departures will be served the popular BBQ meal.

Nantahala Gorge Excursion
Sep 25 @ 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