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

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Sunday, July 27, 2025
Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Jul 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.

Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Animal Enrichment Day
Jul 30 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

On Animal Enrichment Day, guests will see firsthand how Grandfather Mountain cares for its resident animals. Visitors can enjoy watching demonstrations, talk directly with keepers and participate in family-oriented games and crafts. Included with admission.

Saturday, August 2, 2025
Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 2 @ 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, August 3, 2025
Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 3 @ 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.

Saturday, August 9, 2025
Junior Naturalist Day
Aug 9 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain’s Junior Ranger Program is now the Junior Naturalist Program — a new program for our new Conservation Campus! Activities throughout the day will be provided specifically for children ages 5-12 to explore their environment and experience all that Grandfather has to offer.

Sourwood Festival 2025
Aug 9 all-day

Things to Know

Festival Entry
The Sourwood Festival is free and open to the public.

Pet Policy
Furry friends are welcome to attend the Sourwood Festival! All pets must be on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pet.

Festival Location 
The Sourwood Festival takes place in historic downtown Black Mountain. Vendors and festival events will be hosted on Cherry St., Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, Broadway Ave, Vance Ave and Town Square.

Food
The Sourwood Festival will feature snack vendors. We highly encourage attendees to visit one of the over 50 local restaurants Black Mountain and Swannanoa have to offer!

Road Closures 
During the Sourwood Festival, these streets will be closed to traffic, creating a pedestrian-friendly experience – Cherry St, Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, and a small portion of Vance Ave.

Parking & Shuttle 
Free public parking is available at the old Bi-Lo, and additional parking is at the Black Mountain Ingles near the Garden Center. A free shuttle will pick up at this location every 15 minutes and drop festival goers off on Vance Ave.

Bathrooms
Public restrooms are available on Cherry Street and in Town Square, and there will be regular and handicap porta-jons throughout the festival area.

KuBoo Basket Weaving
Aug 9 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Camp Croft State Park

Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Location: Croft State Park SHELTER #3
Address: 450 Croft State Park Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (this time frame is extended to allow everyone to complete a basket. You may finish much earlier based on your skill set).
Note: Camp Croft State Park’s Shelter #3 has restrooms within walking distance and a hilltop view of the forest overlooking Lake Craig.
Cost: $50 per participant (recommended ages 8+)
Purchase your tickets here: https://carolinabamboo.org/product/kuboo-basket-weaving-saturday-august-9-2025/
Get wild and “embrace the invase” in this kudzu/bamboo= “KuBoo” Basket Weaving class! Get to know split bamboo and kudzu as weaving materials. Learn how to harvest and strip a kudzu vine. Engage with refined, hand-crafted split bamboo. Weave the Kudzu and Bamboo together to create your own personalized and unique KuBoo basket!

We will provide baubles and decorations for you to choose from to make your basket unique. Many of these embellishments will be made of bamboo, including beads and buttons made from canes and rhizomes.
We will also provide all weaving materials, including split bamboo that has been “defanged”, meaning: The edges of all split bamboo materials will be processed beforehand using the traditional Japanese habatori, mentori and senbiki methods. These techniques remove the sharp edges and splinters from split bamboo. Our refined split bamboo will make weaving with bamboo more enjoyable, manageable and easier on the hands. Watch our YouTube video for a quick visual overview of these three processes here: https://youtu.be/omEk3KkTLFk

While we weave, Aaron will be available for a Q&A session about bamboo. Bamboo is a mysterious plant to many. Ask Aaron questions to learn more about bamboo while you weave.

What to bring:
A water bottle
A “Can-do” attitude!

We will provide:
Electric industrial fans
All crafting and weaving materials and tools

Camp Croft State Park’s Shelter #3 has restrooms within walking distance and a hilltop view of the forest overlooking Lake Craig.

Additional Cost: Croft State Park is over 7000 acres and offers everything from a playground to hiking and biking trails. As a state park, there is an admission fee: $3 for adults over the age of 15, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for kids ages 6-15, and free for children age 5 and under. This admission fee is NOT included in your ticket price and must be paid separately upon entry into Croft State Park. Note: You may choose to avoid this fee by requesting a SC State Parks Passport from your local library. If you choose this option, we recommend making a request for this item a few weeks in advance before the class, due to possible high demand and low availability.

 

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 9 @ 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, August 10, 2025
Sourwood Festival 2025
Aug 10 all-day

Things to Know

Festival Entry
The Sourwood Festival is free and open to the public.

Pet Policy
Furry friends are welcome to attend the Sourwood Festival! All pets must be on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pet.

Festival Location 
The Sourwood Festival takes place in historic downtown Black Mountain. Vendors and festival events will be hosted on Cherry St., Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, Broadway Ave, Vance Ave and Town Square.

Food
The Sourwood Festival will feature snack vendors. We highly encourage attendees to visit one of the over 50 local restaurants Black Mountain and Swannanoa have to offer!

Road Closures 
During the Sourwood Festival, these streets will be closed to traffic, creating a pedestrian-friendly experience – Cherry St, Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, and a small portion of Vance Ave.

Parking & Shuttle 
Free public parking is available at the old Bi-Lo, and additional parking is at the Black Mountain Ingles near the Garden Center. A free shuttle will pick up at this location every 15 minutes and drop festival goers off on Vance Ave.

Bathrooms
Public restrooms are available on Cherry Street and in Town Square, and there will be regular and handicap porta-jons throughout the festival area.

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 10 @ 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.

Saturday, August 16, 2025
Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 16 @ 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, August 17, 2025
SC Arms Association Gun Show
Aug 17 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

Join us at the Greenville Convention Center for the SC Arms Association Gun Show on August 16-17, 2025.

Show dates: August 16-17th

Show times: Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM

Ticket information: ADULTS: $10.00 | MILITARY: $8.00 * Must Show Military ID 12 Yrs & Under: Free when accompanied by an adult. * No admittance 30 minutes prior to closing.

Parking: : $10 cashless, we accept all credit/debit cards as well as Apple/Google Pay. Located off Exposition Drive.

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 17 @ 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.

Saturday, August 23, 2025
KuBoo Basket Weaving
Aug 23 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Camp Croft State Park

Date: Saturday August 23, 2025
Location: Croft State Park SHELTER #1
Address: 450 Croft State Park Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (this time frame is extended to allow everyone to complete a basket. You may finish much earlier based on your skill set).
Cost: $50 per participant (recommended ages 8+)
Note: Camp Croft State Park’s Shelter #1 has tire swings, an open area for exploring and restrooms within walking distance.
Purchase your tickets here: https://carolinabamboo.org/product/kuboo-basket-weaving-august-23-2025/
Get wild and “embrace the invase” in this kudzu/bamboo= “KuBoo” Basket Weaving class! Get to know split bamboo and kudzu as weaving materials. Learn how to harvest and strip a kudzu vine. Engage with refined, hand-crafted split bamboo. Weave the Kudzu and Bamboo together to create your own personalized and unique KuBoo basket!

We will provide baubles and decorations for you to choose from to make your basket unique. Many of these embellishments will be made of bamboo, including beads and buttons made from canes and rhizomes.
We will also provide all weaving materials, including split bamboo that has been “defanged”, meaning: The edges of all split bamboo materials will be processed beforehand using the traditional Japanese habatori, mentori and senbiki methods. These techniques remove the sharp edges and splinters from split bamboo. Our refined split bamboo will make weaving with bamboo more enjoyable, manageable and easier on the hands. Watch our YouTube video for a quick visual overview of these three processes here: https://youtu.be/omEk3KkTLFk

While we weave, Aaron will be available for a Q&A session about bamboo. Bamboo is a mysterious plant to many. Ask Aaron questions to learn more about bamboo while you weave.

What to bring:
A water bottle
A “Can-do” attitude!

We will provide:
All crafting and weaving materials and tools

Camp Croft State Park’s Shelter #1 has tire swings, an open area for exploring and restrooms within walking distance.

Additional Cost: Croft State Park is over 7000 acres and offers everything from a playground to hiking and biking trails. As a state park, there is an admission fee: $3 for adults over the age of 15, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for kids ages 6-15, and free for children age 5 and under. This admission fee is NOT included in your ticket price and must be paid separately upon entry into Croft State Park. Note: You may choose to avoid this fee by requesting a SC State Parks Passport from your local library. If you choose this option, we recommend making a request for this item a few weeks in advance before the class, due to possible high demand and low availability.

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 23 @ 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, August 24, 2025
Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 24 @ 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.

Friday, August 29, 2025
Salsa at Sunset – FREE
Aug 29 @ 6:15 pm – 10:00 pm
Camperdown Plaza

Salsa at Sunset – August 29, 2025 | Featuring David Rodriguez & the Latin Hustle

No registration needed—this free event is open to all, so just show up and join the fun!

Get ready to move! Salsa at Sunset returns for its 10th season with a summer full of rhythm, culture, and connection. Hosted by Upstate International and proudly presented by BDV Solutions, this beloved free family-friendly outdoor series brings the joy of Latin music and dance to the heart of our community, every last Friday of the month from June through August.

This summer features the crowd-favorite bands and brings the heat with a dynamic mix of salsa, merengue, and Latin jazz that’ll keep you dancing all night long.

Whether you’re an experienced dancer or just want to feel the rhythm and have fun, this is your night to shine under the summer sky. Dance instruction is offered at the start of the evening, so bring your friends, your date, or your whole crew!

What to Expect:
Live music
Free beginner dance lesson to kick things off
Beautiful outdoor setting perfect for a summer night
A welcoming, diverse crowd of all ages
Alcoholic beverages available with wristband purchase (Wristbands: $3 each or 2 for $5 (must be 21+ with valid ID))

Free Dance lessons by Pura Alegria start at 6:15 PM
Live Band from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Camperdown Plaza, 20 E Broad Street, Greenville, SC 29601

Come celebrate 10 years of music, movement, and magic in the heart of our community. Mark your calendar for all three nights—June 27, July 25, and August 29—each with a different band bringing their own unique flavor to the series.

Let’s dance into summer—Salsa at Sunset is back!

Saturday, August 30, 2025
Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 30 @ 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, August 31, 2025
Boomtown Arts & Heritage Festival
Aug 31 all-day
Pack Square Park
Boomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL proudly announces its return to downtown Asheville, set for August 29-31, 2025, at Pack Square Park. This year’s festival emphasizes community resilience and celebrates the region’s history of rebuilding in the wake of natural disasters. Drawing inspiration from Asheville’s emergence as a vibrant boomtown following “The Great Flood” of 1916, the 2025 festival seeks to support regional recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.
The three-day, family-friendly festival will offer a dynamic lineup of musical performances, heritage trail tours, wellness activities, interactive workshops, and local artisans, all aimed at highlighting and preserving Asheville’s unique cultural tapestry. Boomtown FestAVL will feature rich programming designed to engage residents and visitors alike in celebrating the city’s past, present, and future.
Chin Community of Greenville Chin New Year Festival
Aug 31 all-day
Greenville Convention Center

Join us for the Chin New Year Festival August 29-31, 2025.

Event will be held in the Ballroom and Woodside Conference Center, parking will be available off Exposition Drive.