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, December 23, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 23 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 24 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 25 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 26, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 26 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Friday, December 27, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 27 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 28, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 28 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 29, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 29 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Monday, December 30, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 30 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 19, 2025
Blue Ridge National Charity Drive
Jan 19 – Jan 20 all-day

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA) is
excited to announce the Heritage Hearth Charity Drive, a creative effort to collect hand-knit and
crocheted accessories for all ages to benefit residents of Western North Carolina (WNC)
impacted by Hurricane Helene.

As areas recover, BRNHA strives to keep WNC on the radar of those outside the region.
BRNHA will collect donations from November 11, 2024–January 20, 2025, including knit or
crochet hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and cowls. The North Carolina Voluntary Organizations
Active in Disaster (NCVOAD) will assist in connecting BRNHA to groups that can disperse
donations to those in need across WNC.

Donations can be mailed or dropped off at:
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
c/o Heritage Hearth
31 College Place, Suite 120
Asheville, NC 28801
BRNHA welcomes participants who would like to be designated drop-off locations. If you are
interested, please contact BRNHA to collaborate. Fiber groups are encouraged to engage in
community sit-and-stitches to raise awareness of the event. Attached here is the flyer and social
media image to correlate with the event page:

Heritage Hearth: A Handmade Charity Drive

Saturday, January 25, 2025
Birding Basics: A Beginner’s Bird Walk
Jan 25 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Cleveland Park

Join Nature Investigations for a relaxed two-hour birding walk along the scenic trails of Cleveland Park. Learn tips for using binoculars, identifying different species, and their natural history. Birding is for everyone, and birders of all levels and backgrounds are welcome! Please bring binoculars if you have them. For more information: www.natureinvestigations.com. Registration required.

Saturday, February 8, 2025
Birding Basics: A Beginner’s Bird Walk
Feb 8 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Cleveland Park

Join Nature Investigations for a relaxed two-hour birding walk along the scenic trails of Cleveland Park. This program will help you sharpen your bird identification skills while enjoying the outdoors. Learn tips for using binoculars, identifying different species, and their natural history. Birding is for everyone, and birders of all levels and backgrounds are welcome! Please bring binoculars if you have them. For more information: www.natureinvestigations.com. Registration required.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Owls of the Upstate
Feb 11 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
on-line

Did you know winter is prime owl season? These fascinating birds are some of our earliest breeders. In this online program, we’ll explore the species of owls found in the Upstate, learn how to identify them, and dive into their unique natural history.

Saturday, February 15, 2025
Great Buzz Gathering
Feb 15 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The Mule at Devil's Foot

Step Into the World of Pollinators at the 6th Annual Great Buzz Gathering!

Imagine a world without vibrant blooms, flourishing crops, or thriving wildlife. That’s the reality we face without pollinators—the tiny but mighty creatures essential to life on Earth. On Saturday, February 15, you’re invited to the The Mule at Devil’s Foot in Asheville to celebrate these unsung heroes and explore how we can all play a part in their conservation.

From the moment you step through the doors, you’ll be immersed in a community united by a passion for biodiversity, native plants, and protecting pollinators. Whether you’re a seasoned environmentalist or just beginning to appreciate the beauty of bees, butterflies, and beyond, this event offers something for everyone.

You’ll enjoy five captivating 10-minute talks from experts on topics like the effects of climate change on pollinators, the best trees to plant for recovery after Tropical Storm Helene, and exciting updates on the Asheville Butterfly Trail. Each presentation promises to leave you informed, inspired, and ready to take action.

Come early to explore exhibitor tables filled with resources, tips, and tools to make your garden, neighborhood, or community a haven for pollinators. Grab a bite or a beverage, connect with like-minded attendees, and soak up the buzz of excitement.

Pollinators are more than just insects; they’re the foundation of ecosystems and essential to our survival. Yet, nearly half of them are at risk of extinction. That’s why Bee City USA, founded here in Asheville, has grown to a nationwide movement of 426 affiliates, all dedicated to safeguarding these vital creatures.

This isn’t just another event—it’s a call to action, a chance to learn, connect, and make a tangible impact on the future of our planet.

So, whether you’re passionate about gardening, fascinated by biodiversity, or simply curious about how to help, this is your opportunity to join the movement. Together, let’s create a world where pollinators—and all life—can thrive.

Doors open at 12 PM for lunch and networking. The program begins at 1 PM.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Furman University’s Bell Tower Ball
Feb 15 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Greenville Convention Center

BTB Ballroom 01 - Furman University's Bell Tower Ball

Furman University holds an annual donor appreciation gala to recognize the service, leadership, and accomplishments of members of the Furman community.  At the Bell Tower Ball, awards are presented to distinguished alumni, parents, and friends in celebration of extraordinary achievement. Join us for the Bell Tower Ball on February 15th, 2025.

Saturday, February 22, 2025
In The Kitchen Cookoff
Feb 22 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Magnetic South Brewery

Adaptive Pickleball (APB) is hosting an IN THE KITCHEN Cook-Off Competition on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Magnetic South Brewery.
Every dish in the cook-off will showcase the flavor of pickles. Yep… every entry will make the flavor of pickles the star of their dish. Hot dish. Cold dish. Baked dish. Non-alcoholic beverage. Ice cream. Expect to taste lots of pickle-licious dishes.

There is a $20 fee for chefs to enter the competition and prizes will be awarded for the top three dishes. For a $20 donation to APB, the public gets bite-size samples and will vote on the winning dishes.

All donations support Adaptive Pickleball, a 501c3 non-profit based in Greer that teaches people with cognitive, physical and developmental challenges how to play pickleball.

Tickets for the IN THE KITCHEN Cook-Off Competition are available to purchase at the link below. Magnetic South Brewery is located in the Judson Mill District.

Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Albert Einstein Talk led by Larry Bounds
Feb 25 @ 7:00 pm
Hughes Main Library

This event is a discussion, not an in-character performance. Hughes Main Library and Online

Thursday, February 27, 2025
Music Trivia at Rockers Brewing Co
Feb 27 @ 6:30 pm
Rockers Brewing Co

Ready to rock?! At Rock Trivia?!

Prove it at Music Trivia at Rockers Brewing Co, every other Thursday night 6:30-9 PM! Gather your crew, test your music knowledge, and compete for $10, $20, or $30 Rockers gift cards. Feb. 27, Mar. 13 & 27 this month.

Good beer, great vibes, and even better bragging rights await. Are you ready to ROCK? #RockersBrewingCo

Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Trivia Night with the Guinness World Record Holder
Mar 4 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Beacon Trivia Night

Come On Out! Wholesome Family Entertainment While Enjoying Great Food!
(Spartanburg, SC) … TRIVIA NIGHT at the Beacon Drive-In! Tue Mar 4th: 6:30 – 8 p.m. 1x Monthly Event! FREE to Play or Spectate! Individual & Team Competitions!

Official release date of emcee & Guinness World Record holder Wilson Casey’s 8th Biblical & 57th book overall! Autographed copies of “QUEST for BIBLE KNOWLEDGE” available at event with 1,206 brand-new multiple choice questions. Other works available, too, including the true crime story of America’s last train robber who lived out his life in Spartanburg, also 2025 Golf Trivia daily box calendars.

Though not required you can reserve your lucky table or booth. Email Wilson: [email protected]

Psst … Insiders know they can practice up their trivia with a FREE TRIAL at https://www.patreon.com/triviaguy

Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Converge Autism Summit
Mar 5 all-day
Greenville Convention Center

The world’s leading experts in autism are joining together again for the 7th annual Converge Autism Summit, hosted by the nationally renowned autism treatment program at Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health on March 4th and 5th in Greenville, South Carolina. Hear keynote addresses by animator, educator, and entrepreneur Dani Bowman; MS, BCBA, LBA, Lauren McCarthy; founder of A Special Needs Plan and Certified Special Care Planner, Ryan Platt; and, TEACCH Certified Advanced Consultant and founding member of the National Autism Network of Statewide Implementers, Heidi Carico. Additional speakers will represent a variety of fields including Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Analysis, Special Education, Speech and Language Pathology, and Youth Psychiatry. Group rates and virtual tickets are available. For more information, visit https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/NCAS/registration