Events Calendar
Explore family friendly events, theatres, galleries, concerts, nightlife, things to do, and more in the Greenville, SC and Upstate areas.
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About This Trip
Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ begins November 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.
By Charles M. Schulz; Based on the Television Special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendleson; Stage Adaptation by Eric Schaeffer by Special Arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson
The Peanuts gang is celebrating the season – writing letters to Santa Claus, hanging decorations, addressing cards – and everyone in town is excited about Christmas. Everyone, that is, except Charlie Brown. For Charlie, the commercialization of this special holiday has become too much to bear.
When he’s named as the director of the annual Christmas play, he does his level best to bring the meaning of Christmas to the forefront, but meets with barriers at every turn. When it seems like all hope is lost, Charlie Brown is surprised to see the spirit of Christmas comes to life in his friends.
One of the most recognized and cherished stories of the Holiday season, A Charlie Brown Christmas reminds us all that there is only one true meaning of Christmas.
Most enjoyed by children, ages 3 and up.
Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre presents
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
ACDT’s Website
A new unique version of a seasonal delight. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is a story full of adventure, courage and loyalty all performed in a colorful fast-paced dance theatre production.
About This Trip
Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ begins November 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.
Celebrate the holiday season as Tweetsie Railroad transforms into a winter wonderland for Tweetsie Christmas! Enjoy a nighttime train ride among thousands of dazzling lights, meet Santa in his Gingerbread House, larger than life snowglobes to play in, a live Christmas show, and more!
Tickets are for a specific date and train ride time. A limited number of guests are admitted nightly, so advance tickets are strongly recommended. Adults: $44, Children (age 3-12): $38, Children 2 and under: Free
Tickets are $1 each. Tickets are non-refundable.
Bouncy House: 1 ticket per session
Bucking Horse: 3 tickets per ride
Carriage Rides: 5 tickets/child (15 or younger) or 10 tickets per adult
Carousel Rides: FREE!
Face Painting: 3 tickets per painting
Petting Zoo Admission: 1 ticket; Pet Food: 2 tickets
Pony Rides: 5 tickets per ride
S’mores: 4 tickets per kit
The Grinch’s Whoville Village: 1 ticket per person
SANTA’S HOUSE: Free Admission
5 tickets/digital photo or 10 tickets/print framed photo
(cash/debit/credit also accepted at Santa House)
ALL ACCESS NIGHT PASS: $20 per person
Good for unlimited ticketed activities from 5pm-10pm good for one Winterfest night; does not include Santa’s House photo
Click here to see EVERYTHING happening at Tryon Resort this holiday season!
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland presented by Ingles
Tryon Resort is thrilled to be the newest location on the Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland circuit. This two-mile journey weaves through hundreds of thousands of animated Christmas lights coordinated to music for an estimated 30 minutes of holiday enchantment. The Wonderland also features giant, custom-built displays of Santa and his pals on vacation in the mountains, hang gliding, rock climbing, ice fishing, lounging around the campfire, and more. This playful portion of the show is sure to please everyone, young to old.
The tour finishes in Tryon Resort’s Winterfest Village filled with more fun for the whole family. The tour is $25 per carload with additional pricing for group vans and buses available. Tickets are available online in advance or at the exhibit entrance, and discount tickets are available at any Ingles location. Tours are self-driven and open from 6pm-10pm seven days a week beginning November 15, 2019 and ending on January 5, 2020.
For more than 75 years, the parade has signaled the start of the Christmas season in Greenville. Each year the parade attracts thousands of visitors downtown to view the holiday floats and activities.
The 2019 parade will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. The route stretches along Main Street from Augusta to North streets.
The Greenville Figure Skating Club’s annual holiday skating show features over 55 skaters, ranging from kindergartners to adults, from beginner skaters to a nationally-ranked competitor. Our Theater-On-Ice style Christmas Show is a hometown, vintage-inspired show filled with nostalgia. The story follows a group of friends growing up skating, finding their inspiration for this sport, making new friends, experiencing their first crushes, and discovering those strong bonds that always call us back home to those we love and those who love us. Ring in the holiday season by joining us as we celebrate joy, hope, love, family, and friendship in “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
About This Trip
Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ begins November 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.
Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre presents
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
ACDT’s Website
A new unique version of a seasonal delight. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is a story full of adventure, courage and loyalty all performed in a colorful fast-paced dance theatre production.
Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00PM and 7:30PM
Fridays 8:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays 2:00PM
A family tradition has come home for the holidays. An all-new production. Sure to delight and entertain. Join us for the celebration
DIVE BAR SAINTS, is the title track in Home Free’s upcoming album release, out this summer. The band’s rich, Southern harmonies from their four vocalists Tim Foust, Rob Lundquist, Austin Brown, Adam Chance, and beatboxer Adam Rupp are coming to town this winter.
With praise rolling in wide ranges from the likes of Rolling Stone, Country Living, Perez Hilton, FOX & Friends, and AXS.com, the extraordinary showmen electrify crowds with a one-of-a-kind live show, mixing Nashville standards, soaring originals, and quick witted-humor that brings audiences to their feet with energy and laughter.
Their fifth studio album, DIVE BAR SAINTS, is expected on September 6 under Home Free Records. Home Free’s extensive catalog spotlights five Top 5 albums, including TIMELESS, FULL OF (EVEN MORE) CHEER, FULL OF CHEER, COUNTRY EVOLUTION, and their breakout debut CRAZY LIFE (2014), which hit #1 on iTunes Country chart and #4 overall following their victory on NBC’s The Sing-Off. To date, they’ve sold more than 350,000 albums worldwide, including 100-million career audio streams, and 291-million views on YouTube.
Join us for HOME FREE’s DIVE BAR CHRISTMAS TOUR for a perfect evening of mixed of upbeat Nashville-dipped pop hits, country and western standards, incredible harmony and quick witted humor. Music and details on VIP packages available at http://HomeFreeMusic.com.
Each year, the St. Francis Foundation celebrates the holiday season with the Greenville community and area visitors through the St. Francis Festival of trees. This event offers holiday magic and many surprises. Enjoy the beauty of the holiday season by strolling through spectacularly decorated trees lining the interior of four hotels in downtown Greenville.
Hyatt Regency Greenville, Courtyard by Marriott Greenville Downtown, Hampton Inn & Suites Greenville Downtown @ RiverPlace, and Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Downtown RiverPlace
Known for its monumental scale of traditional holiday décor and dazzling lights, this year Biltmore’s annual Christmas at Biltmore celebration will offer even more than ever before.
A yuletide feast for the senses, Christmas at Biltmore begins Nov. 1, 2019. One week later, on Nov. 8, the estate will welcome Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, an immersive experience that celebrates the global hit television series and new feature film.
Biltmore House aglow with five dozen Christmas trees
Biltmore House interiors will shine with the sparkle of more than 50 hand-decorated Christmas trees, ribbons and garlands measured by the mile, and thousands of lights. A majestic 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall is the home’s holiday centerpiece. For the first time, hand-decorated Christmas trees will be displayed on the balcony that wraps around the home’s two-story Library.
Candlelight Christmas Evenings
During Candlelight Christmas Evenings, candlelight, firelight, and live music will create a magical environment that elevates seasonal celebrations inside Biltmore House. A 55-foot Norway Spruce on the home’s front lawn lit with 55,000 lights will greet guests as they arrive to enter Biltmore House.
The warm welcome continues at Antler Hill Village & Winery with a constellation of holiday lights leading to the Winery and estate restaurants. A towering tree of lights will illuminate the Village Green, with a sea of lighted grapevine spheres nestled in the landscaping. Lights cascading from the trees that surround the bonfire area near Antler Hill Barn will offer a unique touch to the experience.
Downton Abbey: The Exhibition
Downton Abbey: The Exhibition will feature interactive elements that connect fans to their favorite characters, fashions, locations, and historic events of the era. Showcased in two estate locations, the exhibition pairs seamlessly with the real-life story of the Vanderbilt family at Biltmore. Amherst at Deerpark will host multimedia presentations and some of the series’ most recognizable sets—including Mrs. Patmore’s hectic kitchen and the gossip-fueled servants’ quarters. At The Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village, a gallery of more than 50 costumes from the series will be on view.
The exhibition will run through April 7, 2020. Access to Downton Abbey: The Exhibition is included with daytime admission, Candlelight Christmas Evenings admission, or an overnight stay that includes daytime admission.
Christmas at Biltmore 2019 Event Calendar
- Christmas at Biltmore daytime experience – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
- Candlelight Christmas Evenings nighttime experience – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 4, 2020
- Illumination of Antler Hill Village – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 4, 2020, 5:30 p.m. to midnight
- Downton Abbey: The Exhibition at Biltmore’s Amherst and the Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village – Nov. 8, 2019, through April 7, 2020
- A Gardener’s Place How-to Seminar: “Illuminated Holiday Tablescapes” – daily Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2019, at 1:30 p.m.
- Conservatory’s annual seasonal display – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
- Complimentary wine tasting at Biltmore Winery. Winery specialty tours available with additional price and reservations required – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
- Bonfires in Antler Hill Village with s’mores kits available for purchase at The Creamery – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 3, 2020, select dates, 3 to 10 p.m.
- Roving Holiday Carolers in Antler Hill Village – select dates
- Candlelight Winery Tour with a look into the winemaking process and tasting with light cheese pairing. Additional price and reservations required.
- Visits with Santa at the bandstand in Antler Hill Village – select dates
- The Inn on Biltmore Estate’s Annual Gingerbread House Tea – additional price and reservations required – Dec. 14 through 22, 2019, select dates, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Festive holiday meals prepared by award-winning chefs served in all of the estate’s restaurants – ongoing
Downtown merchants will transform Main Street into a holiday wonderland for residents and visitors to enjoy. Visitors can stroll the streets and vote for their favorite merchant display from December 1 through December 15 by visiting the City’s Facebook page at City of Greenville Facebook. Contest winners will be announced December 19.
“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.
Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.
A curated mix of handmade giftable art, home goods, jewelry, and children’s items will be available for purchase. The Pop Up Shop makes it simple for Greenville to buy handmade for the holidays.