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, May 18, 2024
TD Saturday Market
May 18 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Main Street at McBee Avenue

On Saturday mornings from the beginning of May until the end of October, two blocks of downtown Greenville’s Main Street are transformed into a bustling farmers’ market. The market features over 75 vendors selling the season’s freshest produce and the area’s most original and high quality crafts.  Each week thousands of people flock to the TD Saturday Market for locally-sourced products where all food must be grown or produced within 100 miles of Greenville and crafters are highly-encouraged to use locally-sourced supplies.

There is something undeniably special about Greenville’s TD Saturday Market. We invite you to join us Saturday mornings to experience it for yourself!

Travelers Rest Farmers Market
May 18 @ 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Travelers Rest Farmers Market

OUR MISSION:

Community. Education. Commerce.

Travelers Rest Farmers Market is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization created to provide a forum for the exchange of local products and goods, as well as educational and cultural activities for increasing knowledge about, appreciation for, and participation in the local production of natural products, while also fostering a sense of community among the residents and visitors of the Travelers Rest area.

Saturdays, 8:30 am – 12 noon

NC Arboretum Hiking Trails
May 18 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Located within the wildly-popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy their hiking experience at the Arboretum as trail options include easy, moderate, and difficult challenge levels. All trails are dog-friendly and visitors are asked to adhere to the proper waste disposing procedures for pets.

Part of a running group that would like to use the Arboretum as a starting point or parking location? Please review our Running Group Guidance and email [email protected] with any questions.

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
May 18 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Volunteer with Meals on Wheels
May 18 @ 9:00 am
Meals on Wheels- Greenville

Bring hope to the homebound.

DELIVERY VOLUNTEERS

INDIVIDUAL
VOLUNTEERS

No matter what your schedule is like, we can find a route for you—whether you want to deliver daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or just occasionally. Ready to deliver? Fill out an application today!

FILL OUT AN APPLICATION

ROUTE
SUBSTITUTES

Sometimes our scheduled volunteers are unable to make their routes due to illness or other commitments. If you are interested in becoming a substitute, sign up for emails to get notifications on open routes!

SIGN UP FOR NOTIFICATIONS

ROUTE
PARTNERS

We have nearly 150 Route Partners who deliver meals regularly to our homebound clients. Learn more about this program now!

GET YOUR GROUP INVOLVED

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Meal Packaging

MEAL PACKAGING

We need volunteers to pack nearly 1,500 meals every Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until approximately 10:00 a.m. The food is prepared by our kitchen staff and set-up in an assembly line for packaging.

Pet Food Packaging

PET FOOD PACKAGING

Meals on Wheels also strives to help the pets of the homebound in Greenville. We need volunteers to package dog and cat food for monthly distribution and to organize pet food drives.

Greeting

MEAL DISTRIBUTION

Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday from 10:30 until 12 pm to greet in-coming volunteers, hand out route sheets and answer questions.

Special Events

SPECIAL EVENTS

Our annual events are great fundraising opportunities. They’re also a lot of fun, whether you get involved as a participant, committee member, volunteer or corporate sponsor.

2024 Converse Commencement
May 18 @ 9:30 am
Twichell Auditorium

Congratulation to the class of 2024 on your graduation from Converse University!

 

The 2024 Converse Commencement ceremony will be held on May 18, 2024 at 9:30 AM in Twichell Auditorium on the Campus of Converse University.

 

This is the ticketing site for qualified graduates for undergraduate degrees only.  (The Graduate degree Ceremony at 2 PM does not require ticketing.)  You will be asked to enter your student ID # after ordering your free tickets (up to 6) for admission to Twichell Auditorium for your family and friends.  Tickets must be sent to your email or as a text message to your phone.  There is no Will Call for these tickets.

 

Tickets may be ordered from May 14, 2024 at 11AM until Friday May 17, 2024 at 12 PM.

 

Please ask your family and friends to be in the auditorium and seated by 9:15 AM.  The graduates procession starts at 9:30 am, and no one will be admitted until the procession ends and all faculty and graduates are seated.

 

2024 Saluda Arts Festival and Call for Artists
May 18 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Downtown Saluda, NC

The 19th Annual Saluda Arts Festival will be held Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in historic downtown Saluda. The festival has issued a Call for Artists – application fee for the non-juried event is $110 and applications are due by March 1. Apply at https://form.jotform.com/233453926770159 or visit saluda.com.

COMIC CON
May 18 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Western North Carolina Agricultural Center

COMIC CON

 

Spring Book Sale
May 18 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Pages On Pine

Join us for the Friends of the Spartanburg County Public Libraries’ highly anticipated Spring Book Sale. Get ready to score incredible deals as all items, from thrilling novels to educational non-fiction, will be offered at an unbeatable 50% off.

The sale will take place at Pages On Pine (2355 South Pine St) on Friday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Friends members only; memberships available at checkout) and on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (open to the public).

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to stock up on your favorite reads while supporting your local libraries.

Zookeeping Kids 8-11 Year Olds: Entomology: All About Insects
May 18 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Greenville Zoo

Classes are designed to inspire the next generation of zookeepers! Students ages 8 – 11 will experience what it is like to work at the zoo through games, activities, experiments, chats with zookeepers, and up-close animal encounters. Program length is 2 hours from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Prices:

Member Price: $20 per class

Non-member Price: $30 per class 

Know Before You Go!

  • Please send students to class with a water bottle and a snack that does not contain nut products.
  • Please dress students in weather appropriate attire with close-toed shoes.
  • Classes will only be cancelled if the zoo is required to close to the public.

Let’s discover the world of Ologies! This month we will investigate insects and learn what makes these animals so incredible.

Yoga in the Garden
May 18 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Hatcher Garden & Woodland Preserve

Yoga in the Garden with Kristin Shook
Saturdays at 10:30 am
April 6 – June 22
Hatcher Garden Activities Deck

Please register each week for Yoga in the Garden.
Suggested donation is $15 and can be paid online or in person.
All donations keep Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve a beautiful, peaceful place for all to enjoy.

 Spartanburg Science Center Family FREE Saturday 
May 18 @ 11:00 am
Spartanburg Science Center
 Spartanburg Science Center Family FREE Saturday
38th annual Greek Festival
May 18 @ 11:00 am
Greenville Greek Festival

Greenville, South Carolina – Greekville returns to Greenville! Come experience Greek culture through food, dance, and music. Be sure to visit our new “Plaka” which features our Taverna and vendors … be “Greek for a Day.”  The community of Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral will celebrate our 38th Annual Greenville Greek Festival May 17 – 19, 2024.

Come experience authentic Greek food and pastries offered through both our drive-thru and onsite dining Friday and Saturday, 11 am – 9 pm and Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm. Order from the comfort and safety of your car or visit us in-person and enjoy your meal outside or inside (limited indoor seating).

Choose from three delicious combination plates featuring traditional favorites … Athenian Chicken, Pastichio, or Moussaka; or enjoy everyone’s favorite — Gyros! We will also have a smaller plate options like Greek Meatballs (Keftedes) with Orzo and Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmades). Satisfy your sweet tooth with homemade Greek pastries featuring Baklava, Koulourakia, and Kourambiedes. Or take home a combination assortment plate with all your favorites.

In addition, we will be featuring Greek Pizza, Lamb Burgers, Greek Fries, Souvlaki, Greek-Style Ribs, Baklava Sundaes, Lemonade and Greek Beer, all available outside on the festival grounds. Our newly expanded “Plaka’ will feature last year’s favorite, the Taverna, with Greek Beer, Wine, and a sampling of traditional Greek appetizers or “mezedes” along with all our vendors.

Our Dance Troupe will be performing traditional Greek dances at various times throughout the festival, and we will have live Greek music every day. Church Tours and an Iconography exhibit will also be offered.

Admission is $3 with all admissions proceeds benefitting Live Well Greenville, a coalition working to advance equitable access to healthy eating and active living in Greenville County.

The annual Greek Festival has become an Upstate tradition. We believe in the importance of sharing our culture with our neighbors through this event. We appreciate the support that the community has shown us throughout the years and look forward to seeing everyone again this year.

The Saint George Greek Orthodox Community was established in Greenville in 1936. The first Greek Festival began in 1987 to share our ethnic, cultural, and spiritual culture with the community that has been so welcoming to our members over the years. This joyous tradition has continued for 37 years, and we hope to continue for many years to come. We welcome you and your family to come and experience this taste of Greece.

Family FREE Saturday
May 18 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Spartanburg Science Center

Bring your family for a day full of fun FREE of admission!

Family River Day
May 18 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
NOC Roswell- Azelea Park

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Join Family River Day in Roswell and experience the great outdoors like never before! This event is perfect for people of all backgrounds, especially Black Indigenous, People of Color- families and enthusiasts. Join us for a day of river paddling, safety workshops, live music, food trucks, and more. This fun-filled day will take place in the beautiful setting of Azalea Park.

Free Family Day at the Science Center!
May 18 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
The Spartanburg Science Center
Kids Playdates
May 18 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fretwell Spartanburg

Join us on Saturday, May 18th, for our Spring edition of “Kids Play Date at Fretwell!” This Saturday from 11am-2pm, kids and their families can enjoy face painting, story time, children’s songs, and snowball snacks galore!

The event is FREE to the public.
*some activities may have a fee.

Play Date Lineup Includes:

  • Face Painting
  • Story Time with The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
  • Children’s Songs

Food truck: Sugar Shack Snoballs!

About Fretwell

Fretwell is Spartanburg’s newest gathering spot, located just a few steps off the Mary Black Rail Trail. Whether you’re here to rest from the Trail, have a beer or coffee with friends, or listen to live music with your family, we have a spot for you!

Pop up shop and food truck festival
May 18 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Monks Grove Baptist Church

Enjoy a pop up and shop along with multiple food truck vendors as well as entertainment to support the women’s conference

Storytime Ballet
May 18 @ 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Hughes Main Library
 Meeting Rooms l

Story-based performance with dancers from the International Ballet. Best for ages 3-8.

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
May 18 @ 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.