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Are you looking for things to do this month or even this weekend in Greenville, SC? From concerts to shows to children’s programming, sporting events, festivals, and free events, there is almost always a great answer when you’re searching for things to do near you, at least there is when you live in South Carolina’s Upstate!

Never be bored, and never miss an event your family will love! We’re highlighting some of the coolest, most unique, most interesting, and most popular events this month. But don’t forget to check out our FULL event calendar for even more amazing options. Here’s what to do this month near Greenville, SC.

What’s happening this month in Greenville, SC?

This article includes:Halloween Events & Trick-or-TreatingThings to Do This Weekend in Greenville, SCTheater, Shows, and Sporting EventsFree Things to Do This Month in Greenville, SCEducational Things to Do and EventsThings to Do With Younger KidsOur Top Picks: Don’t Miss These Events in GreenvilleTravel Highlight

For things to do this month in Spartanburg, SC, see our Monthly Event Guide to Spartanburg, SC.

Thank you to our sponsors. Sponsored events are marked as “featured.”

Halloween Events Throughout October

October is a very exciting month in Greenville, SC! There are dozens of Halloween events, including trick or treating, pumpkin patches, haunted trails, and special activities to celebrate. There is even an amazing Halloween decoration driving tour you can take with your family around the Upstate. Find all of the best Halloween events and activities in our Ultimate Guide to Halloween Near Greenville, SC.

Things to Do This Weekend Near Greenville, SC

The weekend is about here and you’re ready for some fun in the Upstate. But what’s happening this weekend? We know! Here are some great events happening on the weekends this month.

TD Saturday Farmers Market, Downtown Greenville, Saturdays May 6th, 2023 – October 2023Simpsonville Farmers Market, Saturdays, May 13th – September 30th, 2023TR Farmers Market, Saturdays, May 6th – September 30th, 2023Music in the Woods, Paris Mountain State Park, Saturdays in October, 2023Family Friendly Halloween Party at SouthernSide Brewery, Saturdays in October, 2023

Charlotte’s Web, SCCT, September 22, 2023 – October 8, 2023Railfest, Greer, September 30, 2023Hops and Herons Beer Festival, Lake Conestee, September 30, 2023Afternoon Tea with Alice, Kids Play Cafe, September 30, 2023

Fall Festival & Music Series @ Denver Downs, Thursday – Sunday, Weekends in OctoberBook Warehouse Outlet Event, September 30th – October 1st, 2023Hispanic Heritage Festival, October 1st, 2023Madworld Haunted Attraction, Weekends in October (Open Halloween Night)

Friday Starry Nights, Roper Mountain Science Center, October 6th and 13th, 2023Aunt Het Fall Festival & Car Show, October 7th, 2023Greer Arts & Eats Festival, October 7th, 2023Kroc Fest 2023, October 7th, 2023Festifall at Walnut Grove Plantation, October 7th and 8th, 2023City Scape Winery Annual Fall Festival, October 7th and 8th, 2023

Fall for Greenville, October 13th – 15th, 2023Appalachian Folk Festival, Oconee, October 13th & 14th, 2023Spartanburg Soaring, October 14, 2023Abiding Peach Pumpkinfest, October 14, 2023

Boo in the Zoo, October 18th -22nd and 25th-30th, 2023COCO Live-to-Film Concert, October 22nd, 2023

Hopkins Haunted Hayride, Simpsonville, October 26th and 27th, 2023Green Monster Mash, Fluor Field, October 27, 2023Duncan’s Halloweentown Event, October 28th, 2023

If the scheduled events and festivals aren’t piquing your interest, try these great things to do on the weekend with the family.

Theater, Shows, and Sporting Events

Charlotte’s Web, SCCT, September 22, 2023 – October 8, 2023 (select dates)Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, October 20th – 29th, 2023 (select dates)Frozen Jr., October 20th – 29th, 2023 (select dates)Ghosts @ Carolina Ballet Theatre, October 27th and 28th, 2023

Fan Appreciation Night VS. Lexington, October 14th, 2023

Opening Night VS. Norfolk Admirals, October 21st, 2023VS. Savannah Ghost Pirates, October 27th, 2023

Free Things to Do Happening This Month

We love free things to do! The events below happening in the Upstate are all “free” meaning they have no admission charge to attend.

Moonlight Movies at Falls Park, September 28 and October 5,19, 26, 2023Aunt Het Fall Festival & Car Show, October 7th, 2023SCCT’s Tell-Me-A-Story Theatre, October 14th and 24th, 2023Greenville Symphony Lollipop Series, October 14, 2023Duncan’s Halloweentown Event, October 28th, 2023

Educational Events This Month

Friday Starry Nights, Roper Mountain Science Center, October 6th and 13th, 2023Afternoon Explorations, Thursdays and Fridays in September and October, 2023Saturday Safari at the Greenville Zoo, October 14, 2023

Things to Do With Younger Kids

Looking for the best things to do with your toddlers or preschoolers?

Check out our full event calendar for tons of free events at Greenville County Library branches that offer several programs just for younger kids and babies! These events are in the morning, recurring, and occur throughout the month. If you see an event you’re interested in at a library branch, check to see if it is offered throughout the month at your local location.

Our Top Picks: What Not to Miss This Month in Greenville

Charlotte’s Web, SCCT, September 22, 2023 – October 8, 2023Hops and Herons Beer Festival, Lake Conestee, September 30, 2023Railfest, Greer, September 30, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Festival, October 1st, 2023Madworld Haunted Attraction, Weekends in October (Open Halloween Night)Friday Starry Nights, Roper Mountain Science Center, October 6th and 13th, 2023Aunt Het Fall Festival & Car Show, October 7th, 2023Greer Arts & Eats Festival, October 7th, 2023Fall for Greenville, October 13th – 15th, 2023Boo in the Zoo, October 18th -22nd and 25th-30th, 2023Duncan’s Halloweentown Event, October 28th, 2023

Travel Highlight

Looking for a new adventure? Go somewhere new. See something you’ve never seen. Travel far or stay close to home. Here are some ideas to get you started.

If you are looking to book a cabin that has gorgeous views in the WNC mountains to enjoy some leaf peeping, now is the time! Peak leaf viewing season varies, but is typically early to mid-October. Check out these VRBO fall vacation rentals that have beautiful views and tons of amenities for your epic fall vacation with the family!

You will have a blast experiencing these Halloween day trips! With ideas like SCarowinds, pumpkin festivals, and ghost tours, you’ll get a little scare while having lots of fun with your family.

Join the fun at the Upstate Renaissance Faire!

Do you have an unruly bunch you need to keep entertained? Are you looking for a place to take your Lil’ knight in shining armor? Then we have the event for you! The Upstate Renaissance Faire is back for its on September 8th & 9th, 2023 at Greer City Park.

Read on to learn all the Upstate Renaissance Faire details, so your family can get in on the fun!

2023 Upstate Renaissance Faire Event Schedule

If your family could use an escape from reality, there’s no better place than the Upstate Renaissance Faire. The festival, in Greer’s City park, will transport guests back to the time of knights, fair maidens, and sirens who lurk in the sea. The festival will be filled with fun events for the whole family. Don’t forget to plan your day to include a meal of giant turkey legs.

The schedule is totally packed and we will highlight some of what is happening below but you’re going to want to check out the whole schedule.

September 8th, 2023: 5-10 pm

The evening events will include both fairy dancers and fire dancers. There will also be a costume contest, archery, axe throwing, and knights fighting because why not, it’s a Renaissance festival.

September 9th, 2023: 10 am – 8 pm

There will be the Columbia Marionettes show at 11 am and 1 pm. We absolutely loved this show last year. There will also be more fire shows, a dance competition, and knights tournament.

The Kidding Around Ultimate Visitors and Locals Guide to Greer, SC includes a map of parking options in Downtown Greer that will come in handy!

Things to do With Kids during the 2023 Upstate Renaissance Faire

This children’s area will have activities ongoing throughout the day on Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. All children’s activities will take place in front of City Hall and in the grassy area by the playground equipment. Children’s area festivities will include:

Quest Experience

New for 2023 is the Quest Experience, which basically puts you into an interactive experience that you can do throughout the Faire. Kids ages 10-15 should be able to complete the quest but anyone is welcome and you can do it individually or with a group.

You can purchase your $15 ticket for the Quest Experience online.

Day Long Activities at the 2023 Upstate Renaissance Faire

This event will have something to keep a grin on everyone’s face. With live jugglers, dancers, signature turkey legs, and more, no one will find themselves bored at the Upstate Renaissance Faire. If your little ones want to dress up in fun garb for the occasion, a stop at Dollar Tree will outfit them for the day.

Tips on Attending the Upstate Renaissance Faire

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the festival!

Look at the schedule beforehand so you know what’s happening when you go and so that you don’t miss something you really wanted to see.

Upstate Renaissance Faire w/Medieval Market on Facebook

Greer City Park

Didn’t get enough medieval fun at the 2023 Upstate Renaissance Faire? The Renaissance Festive in Charlotte is a month-and-a-half-long celebration you should check out!

Less than six months after opening their second Sofrito Restaurant, owners Hector and Ana Batista are already in the process of opening not one, but two, new concepts.

One of those, the Food Truck Village, is slated to open at 101 Pennsylvania Ave. on the outskirts of downtown Greer this summer. The other, Sofrito Rotisserie, is set to open at the Publix shopping center in Taylors this winter.

The growth comes as the Batistas are finally putting in motion plans they’ve had in the works for some time and another plan that was born from observing the market and adapting.

“I don’t consider it work, because I enjoy it so much, and the fact we can contribute to providing, help the economy and provide work and help grow the individuals around us,” said Hector Batista, in between stops at the food truck village and Sofrito Downtown. “It’s rewarding.”

The Upstate’s first food truck park

Initially, the Batistas saw potential for creating a food truck park in Greenville.

They were eyeing a property at the corner of Mauldin Road and Pleasantburg Drive, but the partnership in the space never quite materialized and so the Batistas were searching anew.

They figured they’d find a place in Greenville, but when they saw the space that housed Rosie’s Hot Dogs in Greer for 30 years, they knew they’d found a home for the concept.

That concept includes a mix of food trucks and a permanent counter-service restaurant.

The former hot dog space is on track to be converted into a small café that will serve items such as paninis, flatbreads and hot dogs. It will also serve as a bar selling drinks including beer and wine.

Plans call for transforming the outside space into an oasis of sorts, with covered outdoor seating, a deck and hanging lights. The goal is to have about five food trucks present at all times, with the trucks rotating on a weekly basis.

Trucks will pay a small fee that will go toward covering the cost of utilities and upkeep, Batista said.

Among the trucks will always be the Batistas’ Cuban coffee and dessert truck, which will serve Cuban coffee and warm desserts like bread pudding and sweet empanadas, as well as ice cream.

Once open, Batista hopes to feature live music on Fridays and Saturdays and a happy hour with discounted beverages and bites.

Ordering for food trucks will be done via QR code, but guests will be able to order beverages and other food at the counter inside.

“I hope it becomes a place where people know they can have great food and a family community atmosphere,” Batista said. “But I want it to be a community where the community is supporting small local entrepreneurs.”

Sofrito Rotisserie

The idea for a casual-quick-service hybrid concept has been cooking for over a year.

Initially, the Batistas thought about bringing the concept to the West End space, but the restaurant footprint in that location was much larger, so it made more sense to bring their full-service Softiro Latin Restaurant & Bar concept there instead.

The idea has grown out of innovation and necessity. With continued challenges in staffing restaurants, Sofrito Rotisserie allows for great food and efficient service without having to rely too heavily on lots of staff, Batista said.

The 1,500-square-foot space in Taylors will be a hybrid quick-service and sit-down spot. Guests will be able to order at a counter and will be given a pager that, once they are seated at a table, will alert the kitchen of their order and place in the dining room.

Servers will then bring food to tables.

The focus is high-quality and fast.

The food will center on the traditional Latin American sauce called “wasakaka.” The garlic-citrus herb sauce is often paired with chicken.

GREER, S.C. —

The city of Greer is addressing the potential sale of Victor Gym and Park.

City council gave initial approval this week to sell the city-owned property to Meridian Property Purchaser.

The proposal still faces another vote by council before the deal can be finalized.

“The main reason for considering a sale of this property is to accommodate the demand for our recreational services. The growth Greer has experienced in recent years has outgrown the Victor Facilities,” City Administrator Andrew Merriman said. “The City is exploring options to create a new, multi-use sports and event facility to accommodate those needs. We are committed to doing our due diligence in finding a purchaser who will deliver a project that will provide the right mix of residential and commercial uses to support the vitality of our growing city.”

Here are the answers to some questions that are posted on the city's website:

Why is the City selling the property?

Continued programming on this site is unsustainable. As a result of our growth and the demand for recreational services, our ability to serve those needs are limited given the size of the facilities at Victor Park. We have outgrown the space and need to expand to meet the recreational needs of our growing community.

With recent improvements to Greer Station through the CenterG project, making the property available for a residential or mixed-use project would continue the renovation and improvement of the central business district and expand the pedestrian-friendly nature of Greer Station. Also, part of the City’s Smart Growth strategy is to increase density in the central business district, which this would help accomplish.

Why not simply rebuild on the site?

Rebuilding on the site to accommodate our current and future needs would still require the removal of the ballfield and basketball courts to accommodate for the required parking.

How will the proceeds of the sale be used?

Income from the sale of the property will fund infrastructure, be that in the form of utilities, pedestrian safety or capital facilities.

Where will softball/baseball games be played?

The City’s Recreation facilities, which currently include Country Club Road Park and Century Park for baseball and softball, as well as the Suber Road Complex, will be complemented by renovations at H.R. Turner Park that include a new ballfield and expanded amenities for both players and spectators. Turner Park is located on Virginia Ave., 1.4 miles from Victor Gym.

How will gym facilities be replaced short and long term?

The City has maxed out the capacity of the current space at Victor Gym. Planning for a new sports and events center will allow the City to create a multi-use facility to meet the needs of current and future recreation and athletic programming.

The City of Greer intentionally negotiated a due diligence period for this project of [300] days in an attempt to create a smooth transition from the current facility to new, more modern facilities capable of handling the City’s growing needs. The goal is that there will be no interruption of services for those who take full advantage of the City of Greer’s recreation amenities.

What will happen to the Creative Advancement program and summer camp?

Should timing make it necessary, alternative space will be made available to accommodate these valuable programs in the short term with the expectation of locating both in a new permanent setting in the future.

What about the outdoor basketball court and playground?

The City is working on options to relocate the outdoor courts to a convenient location in the Victor Community. Basketball courts for public use are currently available at Greentown Park, B.P. Edwards Park and Wards Creek Park. Those facilities, in addition to Victor Heights Park, Greer City Park and the Center for the Arts Park all offer quality play structures for young people.

What project is anticipated for that location?

The highest and best use of this property is for mixed use, residential, or commercial. Through the use of a development agreement, the City will be able to determine whether a prospective project meets the desired current and future use for the property.

While the City of Greer is taking steps to enter into an agreement to ultimately redevelop this property, until all due diligence is completed by the prospective purchaser, the City of Greer cannot be certain that this redevelopment will occur. Regardless of the outcome of this opportunity, the City of Greer remains committed to its plans to modernize and grow its recreational footprint to meet the needs of a growing City.

Is sufficient infrastructure in place to support a residential or mixed-use project?

Greer CPW has invested heavily in improving downtown infrastructure over the past decade. The property’s access to Highway 101 provides ideal ingress/egress. The townhomes constructed on Park Ave. have been a welcome addition while having little impact to traffic and utilities in the area.

As with any development in Greer, a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) and environmental research will be conducted prior to any construction on the site. A TIA will identify peak use time and outline necessary road improvements to mitigate a projects impact.

GREER, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Neighbors in Greer are upset over plans to sell a downtown area park to residential developers. Tuesday night, the council gave final approval on selling the 4 acre property which is now Victor Park.

“The lower income albeit homeowners are being pushed out by the newer developments,” said one resident during the meeting.

Victor Park sits just outside of downtown Greer. The city is selling it, not because it’s underused, but because they say it’s used too much.

“We don’t have the capacity to continue to support all of the events and all the programming that we have going on out there,” said Andy Merriman, the Greer City Administrator.

The plan is to sell the park to developers to build a residential community of townhomes or apartments. Feeding the need for the city’s growth. But some residents are worried about change.

“I’m just a little concerned about what the long-term plan is because that is not that far from my house. Is the city going to creep out that way? what’s it going to look like in 10 years?” asked a resident.

Others are more concerned about losing their public space.

“I’m concerned about the kids that play there. i would like to suggest that you perhaps build something before you tear that down,” said another resident.

Right now, Victor Park’s softball fields, basketball courts and gym are frequently used by youth teams, programs and the neighborhood. After the sale, some amenities like the field will be moved to turner park—about a 20 minute walk away. the courts will be relocated somewhere nearby.

“We’re going to continue to provide the services that we are currently providing right now,” said Merriman.

Some residents still see this as a loss, leaders argue it’s a gain because half of the profit from the sale will be used to make major improvements to Turner Park.

“they’re not losing a park they will be gaining enhanced recreation facilities not only in the area they’re used to playing but in new areas we’re going to continue to invest and those quality of life type programs,” he said.

For more information on the Victor Park sale, click here.

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