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

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Saturday, April 27, 2024
Spring Plant Sale
Apr 27 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens
Tomato Plant Sale
Apr 27 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Blue Moon Specialty Food

Blue Moon Specialty Food’s Annual Tomato Plant Sale has begun! Visit us at Blue Moon Downtown to pickup heirloom tomato plants grown by Wishbone – they’re just $5 each! Available while supplies last. Previous year’s favorites include Jolene, Chef’s Choice, Cherokee Purple, Black Cherry & Mortgage Lifter tomatoes!

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Apr 27 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
NC Arboretum

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m., Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Promenade. Please note, Rocky Cove Railroad will not operate in rainy or wet conditions.

Sunday, April 28, 2024
South Carolina Orchid Show and Sale
Apr 28 all-day
Garden Council of Greater Columbia Building

COLUMBIA, SC: April 26th- 28th, 2024: The South Carolina Orchid Society is proud to announce the
2024 South Carolina Orchid Show and Sale held at the Garden Council of Greater Columbia Building at 1605 Park Circle in Downtown Columbia, SC- near USC! The show will feature thousands of blooming orchids, presented by societies and growers from all over the Southeast. We have hundreds of participants – and more than a dozen accredited judges attending to make sure that we have the very best on display! This is an American Orchid Society accredited show with cash prizes and national awards given to the best plants and displays. And best of all- admission the show is FREE for all to attend!

In addition- we will have many other special attractions and offers for our guests:
• We will have multiple vendors at the show selling their wares: We have 3 orchid growers from the Carolina’s- and sculptors and jewelry designers- all that are highlighting the beauty of orchids!
• The show will have open classes on Saturday 4/27 and Sunday 4/28 at Noon and 2 PM each day. These are focused on basic orchid care and three of the most common orchids that people keep at home.
• We are providing “Re-Pot on the Spot” where you can bring in your orchid that might need a new pot- or some basic clean up and care and for a small donation we will repot your plant- help make sure it is in the best shape possible and give you advice or care information to take home!
• We will have special exhibits from the Ikebana Society of beautiful Japanese floral arrangements.
• We have fantastic raffles for orchids- supplies and blooming plants that you can win!
• And we have our “Education Stations” set up this year so that you can learn about the incredible diversity of orchid plants and see which one might be best for you to add to your home!

Orchids are THE most popular houseplant in the world and in the US. You can find them anywhere you look- and your audience wants to know HOW to grow them- WHERE to buy them- and WHO can help them! The South Carolina Orchid Society can help with all of that- and this show is the best way to get started! We want people to walk aways knowing that they CAN grown orchids at home!!

SHOW INFORMATION:
The 2024 South Carolina Orchid Show and Sale
Garden Council of Greater Columbia Building: 1605 Park Circle, Columbia, SC 29201
(Corner of Pickens and Blossom Streets- downtown Columbia, near USC)
• Friday April 26th: 1 PM – 6 PM
• Saturday April 27th: 11 AM – 6 PM
o Classes: “How to Care for Orchids in your Home” at noon with Master Grower Gene Crocker and at 2 PM- “Dendrobium Orchids” with Linda Thorne of Seagrove Orchids
• Sunday April 28th: 11 AM – 4 PM
o Classes: “Tropical Ladyslipper Orchids” at noon with Bridget Uzar from Carter and Holmes Orchids and at 2 PM- “Cattleya Orchids” with Mark Reinke of Marble Branch Farms.

WNC Herb Fest
Apr 28 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Western North Carolina Agricultural Center
Friday-Sunday, April 26th-28th, 2024.
Friday & Saturday 8:30-5
Sunday 10:00-3:00
  • Free admission
  • Free parking
  • Free workshops
We welcome LEASHED SERVICE DOGS ONLY, please.
Drought-tolerant planting
In part because of changes in international climate patterns, the availability of sufficient water is often irregular in western North Carolina: rainfall can be abundant one year and almost nonexistent another. Some years have early, heavy rainfall, others are dry until mid-summer. But many popular herbs, having developed around the Mediterranean, are drought-tolerant, and experienced gardeners know that xeriscaping with drought-tolerant herbs and using captured rainwater is always a wise budgetary move as well as ecologically important.
Come celebrate the
FOURTH DECADE
of the Asheville Spring Herb Festival
Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Apr 28 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
NC Arboretum

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m., Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Promenade. Please note, Rocky Cove Railroad will not operate in rainy or wet conditions.

Wits n Words
Apr 28 @ 4:30 pm
Mist N Smoke lounge

Join us for an unforgettable evening at Wits
and a Word”!
Deaf Byron will have you in stitches with
their hilarious stand-up comedy.
_ Divinity and Marley Quinn will mesmerize
you with their soulful poetry.
Whether you’re a lover of wit or a seeker of
profound words, “Wits and a Word” is the place
to be!
Date: April 28th
Time: 4:30
Location: 280 Whitney Rd
Get ready for laughter, rhymes, and an evening
that celebrates the magic of words!

Monday, April 29, 2024
Learn + Grow ADULT + CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Apr 29 all-day
NC Arboretum

Plants Connect Us in Place

Throughout Southern Appalachia this month, the first spring ephemerals — floral harbingers of the colorful season to come — begin their journey toward the light. Trillium, Trout Lily, Bloodroot, Dicentra: All appear the most delicate of flowers, yet they are mighty enough to push through heavy layers of damp leaf duff to reach the sun’s rays. Usher in the brightening days like these first flowers with courses that extend the Arboretum’s mission to connect people with plants and learn more about what roots us in our special place in nature.

Eco Gardening: Principles in Practice | In Person Version – ONSITE, Three Sessions: Wednesdays, March 6, 20 & April 3, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Or  Asynchronous Version – Open March 6 through May 31.


Emergence: Spring Wildflower Walk | ONSITE | Saturday, March 9, 1 – 3 p.m. or Saturday, March 16, 1 – 3 p.m.


Lifelong Gardening | ONSITE | Wednesday, March 13, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.


Free! Lunch & Learn: Previewing the Cullowhee Native Plants Conference | ONSITE | Thursday, March 14, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.


Native Plants for the Vegetable Garden | ONSITE | Thursday, March 14, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.


Botany Basics | In Person Version – ONSITE, Six Sessions: Tuesdays & Thursdays, March 19 – April 4, 1 – 3 p.m. Or Asynchronous Version – Open April 4 through June 30.


Soil Health Check Up | ONSITE | Wednesday, March 27, 1:30 – 4 p.m.


Free! Arboretum Reads Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy | ONSITE | Two Sessions: Thursday, April 4 & 18, 3:30 – 5 p.m.


Registration is also open for our signature plant-based core classes in April. Join us for Spring Native Flora ID (field and blended field/online sections), Spring Native Tree ID (online, field and intensive versions). Plan ahead in April to learn about exotics at the Orchid Festival, April 12 – 14, held at the Arboretum, then return to learn about our native azaleas at the Native Azalea Day, April 27. 

Tomato Plant Sale
Apr 29 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Blue Moon Specialty Food

Blue Moon Specialty Food’s Annual Tomato Plant Sale has begun! Visit us at Blue Moon Downtown to pickup heirloom tomato plants grown by Wishbone – they’re just $5 each! Available while supplies last. Previous year’s favorites include Jolene, Chef’s Choice, Cherokee Purple, Black Cherry & Mortgage Lifter tomatoes!

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Tomato Plant Sale
Apr 30 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Blue Moon Specialty Food

Blue Moon Specialty Food’s Annual Tomato Plant Sale has begun! Visit us at Blue Moon Downtown to pickup heirloom tomato plants grown by Wishbone – they’re just $5 each! Available while supplies last. Previous year’s favorites include Jolene, Chef’s Choice, Cherokee Purple, Black Cherry & Mortgage Lifter tomatoes!

Volunteer: Tuesdays in the Garden
Apr 30 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Sullivan Street Farm

All farm volunteer hours will be held at our Sullivan Street Farm location (15 Bolt Street, Greenville, SC, 29605, look for a white and grey pavilion-like building and metal garden beds, the yellow X on the map below denotes the location where we’ll meet before getting started on tasks).

Help with greenhouse tasks such as seeding, potting up transplants, labeling/organizing plant trays. Help with urban farm tasks such as weeding, mulching, composting/fertilizing, seeding, transplanting, harvesting.

This work will take place outdoors so you should dress accordingly (layers are always a good idea) in something you don’t mind getting dirty. Closed toe shoes are required. Items like sunscreen and/or hats are helpful. Please bring a water bottle and feel free to bring snacks if you’d like.

**PLEASE NOTE: These volunteer shifts require physical labor that involves activities such as bending, lifting, and standing for long periods of time. We also may use tools such as drills, hammers, shovels, wheelbarrows, etc. Please be prepared to work hard and have some fun!**

**PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept volunteers aged 12 or younger. Additionally, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian or supervising adult.**

Thursday, May 2, 2024
Storytime at Fiction Addiction
May 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

Ephemerals, Mosses, + Ferns
May 2 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Want to learn more about mosses and ferns? What are the most common spring ephemeral plants?, their pollinators and some of the interesting history of these special plants. Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show Steve Pettis will discuss the many flowers that grow in the Spring time in the forests of Western North Carolina.

Ephemerals, Mosses, + Ferns
May 2 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show Steve Pettis will discuss the many flowers that grow in the Spring time in the forests of Western North Carolina. He will discuss some of the most common spring ephemeral plants’ biology, their pollinators and some of the interesting history of these special plants as well as mosses and ferns.

Twilight in the Garden
May 2 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Hatcher Garden & Woodland Preserve

Our Upstate’s Premier Garden Party! We look forward to this year’s signature fundraising event with an elegant, celebrated garden party including cocktails, an irresistible gourmet dinner by Cribbs Catering. Plus you can bid on the finest selection of both live and silent auction items from local artisans, shops, and individuals and the most fun trips around!

True Home Open Mic at Flood Gallery
May 2 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Flood Gallery

Uncensored expression: anyone is invited to step up to share song, music, poetry, comedy, rants & raves!

The most eclectic open mic around, in a welcoming gallery setting! 6 pm signup, perform 6:30-8:30 pm.

Saturday, May 4, 2024
In Time for Mother’s Day: DIY Self-Care Products
May 4 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Looking for a chance to celebrate mom and make her a unique gift?  Or are you wanting to learn a new skill?  In this fun introductory class led by Judy Peacock, you will learn to make your own herbal self-care products including an oatmeal rose honey scrub, a rose clay mask, and herbal tea blend. It’s the perfect way to spend time with mom, or make something for yourself.  Each participant will take home a honey scrub, a clay mask blend, and an herbal tranquil tea blend.

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
May 4 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
NC Arboretum

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m., Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Promenade. Please note, Rocky Cove Railroad will not operate in rainy or wet conditions.

Piedmont Blues and Roots Festival
May 4 @ 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Laurens City Public Square

Hope y’all can join us in Laurens SC for the Piedmont Blues and Roots Festival on May the 4th! Laurens County was the birthplace and home of Rev. Gary Davis, Willie Walker, Lil McClintock, Arthur Guitar Boogie Smith and other prominent Piedmont Blues artists. Our goal is to preserve and celebrate that heritage with the Piedmont Blues and Roots Festival. The festival will take place in downtown Laurens and feature performances by Jerron Blind Boy Paxton, Veronika Jackson, Sparky and Rhonda Rucker, the Holler Floppers ft. Ali Kafka and Hunter Holmes, all of whom preserve and perform traditional music.
Click the link to the website for updates.
https://www.laurensbluesandroots.com/

Sunday, May 5, 2024
Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
May 5 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
NC Arboretum

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m., Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Promenade. Please note, Rocky Cove Railroad will not operate in rainy or wet conditions.