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

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Tuesday, June 25, 2024
TCMU Tots
Jun 25 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am
TCMU Spartanburg

Skill-building and community-building for toddlers and their caregivers! Little ones ages 2-5 will explore role-playing, storytelling, and interactive activities, fostering early social skills and a world of make-believe adventures that could include an ice cream shop, car wash or post office!

Fee Free Days
Jun 25 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cradle of Forestry

Join us at the Cradle of Forestry the Fourth Tuesday of every month throughout the 2024 season for Fee Free Days. Admission is FREE for everyone!

Join us at the Cradle of Forestry the fourth Tuesday of every month throughout the 2024 season with FREE admission for all!

Walk the paved trails, pack a picnic lunch for your friends and family, explore the Discovery Center and make it a fun filled day at the Cradle deep in the heart of Pisgah National Forest.

SCHEDULE

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

WHAT TO BRING

Comfortable Walking Shoes
Water Bottle
Jacket/Rain Gear
Camera

Interconnections
Jun 25 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Artists Collective | Spartanburg

Upstate artist Robert (Bob) Poe likes to doodle. Then, his doodles become his paintings, some of which he will show in his exhibition.

Story Time + More
Jun 25 @ 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
TCMU Spartanburg

Listen, respond and imagine during Story Time & More! Young learners can listen and respond to a story and participate in enrichment activities designed to ignite fun, discovery and learning.

Guided Trail Walk
Jun 25 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.

Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.

Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.

Know Before You Go

  • Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
  • Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
  • Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
  • Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
steamWORKS jr.
Jun 25 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
TCMU Spartanburg

Step into TCMU-Spartanburg’s STEAM based classroom! Young minds can explore weekly themes through science activities designed to encourage creative problem solving and hands-on learning. We’ll even get a little messy sometimes!

Children’s Writing Workshop
Jun 25 @ 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Hughes Main Library
 Meeting Rooms A & B

Middle grade author Lis Anna-Langston leads a high-energy writing workshop for ages 9-14. Author’s books will be available for purchase. Registration required; opens May 25

Greer Farmers Market
Jun 25 @ 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Greer City Park

The Greer Farmers Market is a non-profit farmers market in the state of South Carolina. Through partnerships with Greer City, local businesses and organizations, the farmers market will gather the community in Downtown Greer.

  • Delicious
  • Ethical
  • Sustainable
  • Seasonal
Tessa Fontaine in Conversation with Eric Kocher
Jun 25 @ 6:00 pm
Hub City Writers Project

When her mother goes missing, a young woman uncovers the secrets beneath her protected community.
The women asked: How are they safe?
And Tamsen Nightingale said: In this red grove, no woman can be harmed. No violence may come upon her. No injury to her flesh from the flesh of another.
The Story of the Sisters, Welcoming Incantation

The Red Grove is a special place, protected. Some say a spell was cast by the community’s founder, Tamsen Nightingale. Some say the mountain lions who stalk the nearby hills guard its mysteries and its people. Some say the mighty redwoods keep them safe.

Yet Luce’s mother, Gloria, has gone missing. A man came seeking answers among the Red Grove’s mysteries―a connection to the beyond―and died. And then Gloria vanished. The Red Grove is Luce’s whole world. She is devoted to its mission, its rituals and myths. But she knows that her mother, frustrated free spirit though she might be, wouldn’t just leave without a word, wouldn’t leave her little brother, Roo, and especially their aunt Gem, whose care in that suspended state of everdream depends on Gloria in every way. But as Luce tries to figure out what has happened to her mother, she discovers that this special place is not what it seems and that protection comes at a cost.

The debut novel by the acclaimed author of The Electric Woman, Tessa Fontaine’s The Red Grove is an exploration of the legacies of violence, the price of safety, and the choices we make to protect what we love.

About the Author

Tessa Fontaine is the author of The Electric Woman: A Memoir in Death-defuing Acts, New York Times Editors’ Choice; Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick, and best book of 2018 by Southern Living, Refinery29, Amazon Editors’, and The New York Post. Other writing can be found in Outside online, The New York TimesGlamourAGNIThe BelieverLitHub, Creative Nonfiction, and more. Raised outside San Francisco, Tessa is a former professor and has taught in jails and prisons for five years. She co-founded and teaches the Accountability Workshops with writer and pal Annie Hartnett, and lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, daughter, goofy dog and sassy cat. The Red Grove is her first novel.

About the in-conversation Partner

Eric Kocher, assistant professor of environmental studies at Wofford College, explores domestic encounters with planetary forces, and his writing on the topic has appeared in a variety of national publications. In the classroom, he works to help students understand how environmental ideas from literature, art, film and digital media shape our treatment of the environments in which we live.

Visual Arts: Fauvism
Jun 25 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Augusta Road | Ramsey Family Branch Library

Ages 18+ | Experiment with bold colors and textured brushstrokes to create your own Fauvist painting. Bring
canvases and brushes.

REGISTER

Music Bingo
Jun 25 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
New Groove Artisan Brewery
Best of Spartanburg 2022 Winner for Best Bingo!
Quarterly Tournaments AND Weekly Prizes for Music Bingo Winners!
It’s the most fun you’ll have on a Tuesday with Jen and New Groove.
Greenville Drive vs. Hickory
Jun 25 @ 7:05 pm
Fluor Field

Greenville Drive vs. Hickory

BMC Presents: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Jun 25 @ 7:30 pm
Brevard Music Center

Legendary Artists Series

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis—an ensemble of 15 virtuoso instrumentalists—delivers unforgettable performances with a characteristic flair and authority developed over 35 years of unrivaled excellence. The group’s compositions and arrangements embody an unprecedented variety of styles and genres including works by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Mary Lou Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, and Benny Goodman, among so many, spanning jazz’s entire documented history.

 

Tickets go on sale to the general public on May 1. To receive early access to tickets for this event, become a donor today! Donor presale begins March 25.

Wednesday, June 26, 2024
30th Annual Sweetheart Charity Ball —volunteer opportunities
Jun 26 all-day
Meals on Wheels- Greenville

Meals on Wheels of Greenville is looking for help with our 30th Annual Sweetheart Charity Ball on Saturday, February 22, 2025. This is our largest fundraising event of the year with a goal of raising $500,000 to support our homebound clients.

 Join our Sweetheart Charity Ball committee  

We are looking for volunteers to help solicit auction items for both live and silent auctions, as well as sponsorship recruitment. The committee meets monthly from August to December and then bi-monthly in January.

If you are interested, please contact Alyssa Blocker by Monday, July 29 at either

864-233-6565 or [email protected]. Thank you!

Art by Appointment
Jun 26 all-day
Greenville Center for Creative Arts

Art by Appointment with GCCA Art School Instructors

TUESDAY – FRIDAY 9 AM – 5 PM
SATURDAY 11 AM – 3 PM

 


Art by Appointment offers artists of all levels the opportunity for private, customized, art experiences for you and up to 15 friends and family. These experiences are perfect for birthday parties, corporate outings, team building activities and more!

MEDIUMS

Art by Appointment workshops offer a variety of mediums for exploration.

Drawing

Unlock the gateway to artistic expression through the fundamental skill of drawing! GCCA’s drawing instructors will lead you through the basics of shading and perspective and more!

Painting

Acrylics and watercolor and more! Grab a paintbrush and join GCCA’s instructors for a private step-by-step art experience!

Mixed Media

What happens when you combine multiple artistic mediums into one project? Follow GCCA’s instructors in an exploration of all visual mediums in this engaging workshop!

Jewelry

Wear your own creation! Step into GCCA’s state-of-the-art jewelry studio and try your hand at jewelry making!

Printmaking

Jump into this layered visual art medium and learn to create your own prints! GCCA’s instructors will lead you step by step through this engaging art form in the printmaking studio at GCCA!

Artist Call for The Annual Showcase
Jun 26 all-day
online

THE ANNUAL SHOWCASE IS GCCA’S PREMIER EVENT FOR OUR MEMBER ARTISTS THAT FEATURES A MAIN GALLERY EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTING THE TALENT OF OUR COMMUNITY. BECOME A MEMBER OF GCCA WITH A GIFT OF $50 OR MORE AND YOU CAN EXHIBIT YOUR ARTWORK IN OUR ANNUAL SHOWCASE.

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN LEARN MORE ABOUT GCCA’S 9TH ANNUAL SHOWCASE, ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, IMPORTANT DATES, FAQ’S, AND ACCESS THE ENTRY WEBFORM.

Entry Requirements

  • Artist must be a current member of GCCA to participate.
  • Only one piece of artwork may be submitted per GCCA member.
  • Artwork must be original work of the artist submitting and not previously shown at GCCA.
  • All work must be no more than 36″ in any direction (including frame) and cannot weigh over 35 lbs.
  • Artwork must be finished and securely wired for installation. No wet paintings will be accepted.
  • Three-dimensional work must sit solidly on a gallery pedestal or be properly mounted for display. Pedestals are limited and are awarded on first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Your entry must be sent through the webform on this page. No submissions will be accepted after the deadline or via mail-in entries or email.
  • GCCA reserves the right to decline artwork that does not meet the requirements listed.

Important Dates

  • Deadline to RSVP: Friday, July 19th @ 11:59 pm
  • Drop-off Artwork: Thursday, July 25th or Friday, July 26th from 10am -6pm
  • Opening Reception: Friday, August 2nd, 6-9pm
  • Exhibition Dates: Friday, August 2nd – Wednesday, September 25th
  • Pick-up Artwork: Thursday, September 26th or Friday, September, 27th from 10am – 5 pm
Calling All Artists
Jun 26 all-day
Artists Collective | Spartanburg

Calling All Artists in SC, NC, GA, TN, & VA

Carl Sandburg Home Volunteer Opportunity: Goat Barn Attendant
Jun 26 all-day
Carl Sandburg Home Historic Site
Goat Barn Attendant: Are you interested in helping our park rangers care for the dairy goats at Connemara Farms? These goats require daily care, including feeding, grooming, and cleaning of their stalls. We also share the story of the Sandburg family and their special herd with thousands of visitors each year.
Anyone 18 and older who has 4 hours a week to dedicate to the park is encouraged to apply for this volunteer opportunity. Applications can be found here (https://forms.office.com/g/LzQweWBSma) Attending a virtual orientation, short phone interview, and in-person training are required. Dates for these events will be sent to qualified applicants.
Carl Sandburg Home Volunteer Opportunity: House Tour Guide
Jun 26 all-day
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
House Tour Guide: Join the park staff in sharing the story of the poet, biographer, journalist, children’s author, and song collector Carl Sandburg. Volunteers provide house tours to the visiting public, assist in special events, and if desired assist with education visits. We provide hands-on experience, training and a sense of satisfaction in sharing our National Park Service treasure.  We supply a uniform shirt and nametag, as well as information and training materials.  In addition, volunteers engage in annual field trips, training sessions, and an annual award banquet. Attending a virtual orientation, short phone interview, and in-person training are required. Dates for these events will be sent to qualified applicants.  Applications can be found here: Sandburg Volunteer Inquiry.
Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 828-242-1566 or [email protected].
Mile High Swinging Bridge
Jun 26 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

One of the top highlights and memories of visits to Grandfather Mountain nature park is walking across the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. Since 1952, visitors have “oohed” and “aahed” at the bridge’s 360-degree panoramic views. America’s highest suspension footbridge gives easy access to the spectacular views atop Grandfather Mountain’s Linville Peak, elevation 5,305 feet.

The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation (hence the name!). To reach the Mile High Swinging Bridge, drive the two-mile, winding scenic road up the mountain to the summit parking area by the Top Shop. Climb 50 stairs adjacent to the parking area or inside the Top Shop to reach the short pathway to the bridge. Also, an elevator in the Top Shop takes you to the third floor for a level walk to the bridge.

Top Shop

Located adjacent to the Bridge, the Top Shop features a gift shop, snacks, restrooms, elevator and second-floor exhibition area. Also get the latest park information and trail maps. Read more.

Accessibility

Inside the Top Shop, an elevator makes the Mile High Swinging Bridge accessible to people with mobility challenges, including those in wheelchairs. From the Top Shop, there is a paved 50-yard path to the bridge. Read more about our accessibility.

Tickets & Hours

Walking across the Mile High Swinging Bridge is included in your Grandfather Mountain admission ticket that includes many other things to do in our nature park. Buy tickets online and book a reservation time to enter the park. You do not need a separate reservation for the bridge. It’s open, weather permitting, every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. See hours.

More to Explore

Before or after visiting the Mile High Swinging Bridge, allow time to enjoy other parts of the mountain: wildlife habitats, Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, restaurant, hiking trails, roadside overlooks, picnic areas and more. See more Things to Do.

Nearby Hiking Trails

Trailheads to many of the Grandfather Mountain hiking trails are located near the Swinging Bridge. In fact, the 0.4 mile Bridge Trail takes you beneath the bridge, starting from the Black Rock parking area just below the summit. For details on our nearby trails, go to our Hiking Guide.

Bridge Tips & Tidbits

  • Does it really swing? Very little — unlike the original one. Today’s bridge is made of steel and reinforced with cables and springs. It has railings on the sides to ensure safety.
  • We suggest you wear rubber-soled shoes and walk with care when crossing the rocks on the far side of the bridge.
  • If heights give you pause, you can still enjoy Blue Ridge Mountain views from the ground before you reach the bridge and even from the parking area.
  • Due to periodic extreme weather conditions at the bridge, it closes when there is area lightning, high wind or icy conditions.
  • The official U.S. Weather Service Reporting Station atop the Mile High Swinging Bridge has provided daily weather observations since 1955. The temperature is usually 10 to 20 degrees cooler than in the flatlands you see below. It’s also one of the windiest locations in North Carolina, with a 124-mph record set in winter 2019. Learn more about our weather.
  • Pets are allowed on the bridge if well behaved and on a leash.
  • Photographs and videos to remember your visit are encouraged. Be mindful of sharp drop-offs along the Linville Peak ridge. Drones are not allowed. See our photography policies.
  • The Singing Bridge? When the wind blows, the Mile High Swinging Bridge “sings” in the same way as a harmonica.
  • In April through October, join Grandfather’s expert naturalists by the Bridge for Interpretive Talks about the our unique weather, climate, flora and fauna. Read more.
  • Need driving directions? The address for Grandfather Mountain’s entrance gate is 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646 (click link for Google Maps). There are no shuttles, so you must have your own vehicle to explore our nature park. No RVs longer than 28 feet in length or hinged vehicles are allowed through the Entrance Gate. See detailed directions.
  • To see much more info, see our Plan Your Visit section.

Mile High Swinging Bridge History

Former North Carolina Tourism Director Charles J. Parker coined the name “Mile High Swinging Bridge” at the Bridge’s dedication in 1952. The term “mile high” refers to the structure’s elevation above sea level (5,280 feet). The term “swinging” refers to the fact that suspension bridges are free to sway.

The original 1952 bridge was designed by Charles Hartmann Jr. of Greensboro, N.C. It was fabricated in Greensboro and then reassembled on top of the Mountain. Erecting the bridge took three weeks, a process slowed by inclement weather created by a hurricane off the North Carolina coast. Cost was $15,000. It was dedicated on Sept. 2, 1952 by North Carolina Gov. William B. Umstead.

The bridge was rebuilt in 1999 using the original towers. The cables, floor boards and side rails were all replaced using galvanized steel. One of the main advantages of the modern building materials is that they do not have to be painted. Now, Grandfather Mountain employees will not have to hang out over the gorge to paint the span. It was redesigned by Sutton, Kennerly & Associates Engineering of Asheville, N.C., and rebuilt by Taylor & Murphy Construction Company of Asheville. The cost of rebuilding was $300,000.