The Holidays are Here: 25 Ways to Get Festive in the Upstate

The Holidays are Here: 25 Ways to Get Festive in the Upstate

The holiday season is upon us, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate in the Upstate. Whether you’re looking to enjoy your town’s annual parade, watch a tree lighting ceremony, get tickets to a festive performance, or shop for gifts at a local market, start your planning here. We hope you and your family enjoy this special time of year!

Parades & Festivals

Simpsonville’s Annual Christmas Parade
December 1, 3 – 5 PM
Downtown Simpsonville
Get your holiday celebrations started off right on December 1st at Simpsonville’s Annual Christmas Parade.

Dickens of a Christmas
December 3, 6 – 9 PM
Downtown Spartanburg
Spartanburg’s signature holiday event includes carolers dressed in Victorian garb, live festive music, horse-drawn carriage rides, and the lighting of the tree at Denny’s Plaza.

Christmas “Inn” Our Town
November 29 – December 15
Downtown Fountain Inn
Feel the yuletide joy in Fountain Inn including the Rudolph Run, Christmas parade, tree lighting ceremony, merry market, and more.

Night of Lights
December 6, 5 – 8 PM
Main Street, Greenville
Enjoy live music, food trucks, and the official tree lighting ceremony hosted by Mayor White.

Christmas in Greer Tree Lighting
December 6, 5 – 8 PM
Greer City Park
Santa is coming to Greer! Make holiday crafts, decorate cookies, eat s’ mores, and enjoy performances at Greer City Park.

Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade
December 7, 6 – 7:30 PM
Main Street, Greenville
For more than 75 years, thousands visit downtown Greenville for the Poinsettia Christmas Parade.

Mauldin Christmas Parade
December 7, 2 – 4 PM
Mauldin Cultural Center
See the Mauldin community celebrate the season with floats from churches, businesses, and other organizations. Plus, hear music from the Mauldin High School marching band, and see Santa.

Greer Christmas Parade
December 8, 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Greer City Park
The “Classic Christmas Stories” parade will feature local businesses, clubs, schools, and organizations. Of course, Santa is the special guest!

Spartanburg Christmas Parade
December 10, 6 – 8:30 PM
Downtown Spartanburg
Watch brightly lit floats, local high school marching bands, and other holiday fun travel the 1.5-mile route. The Jaycees Elf Dash will precede the parade to come early to see the runners and walkers in their elf attire.

Travelers Rest Annual Christmas Parade
December 14, 11 AM – 1 PM
Main Street, Travelers Rest
With dignitaries, floats, antique vehicles, motorcycles, race cars, Santa, and more, don’t miss the “Small Town Christmas” parade in Travelers Rest.

Easley Christmas Parade of Lights
December 14, 6 PM
Downtown Easley
Head to downtown Easley on December 14 for the Annual Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting celebration directly afterward, including holiday caroling and a visit from Santa.

 

Shows

A Charlie Brown Christmas
November 30 – December 8
Peace Center, Greenville
The Peanuts gang is excited about Christmas, except for Charlie Brown, of course. See the spirit of Christmas come to life in one of the most recognized stories of the holiday season.

The Nutcracker
December 13 – 15
Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg
Over 800,000 families from the Spartanburg community and beyond have enjoyed The Nutcracker at the Chapman Cultural Center during the holiday season.

The Snowman and Other Holiday Favorites
December 14
Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg
Join the Philharmonic and experience the magic of The Snowman come alive on stage!

A Christmas Carol
December 12 – 22
Greenville Theatre, Greenville
This musical adaptation of Charles Dicken’s classic story shows Scrooge going from “Bah! Humbug!” to “Happy Christmas.”

 

Music

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
November 23, 4 PM & 8 PM
Peace Center, Greenville
Celebrating 35 years of holiday music, come see the #1 Christmas music artist in history.

Postmodern Jukebox: A Very Postmodern Christmas
November 26, 7:30 PM
Peace Center, Greenville
Enjoy a vintage-style Christmas celebration with Postmodern Jukebox, known for reworking popular music into genres such as swing and jazz.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra
December 6, 4 PM & 8 PM
Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville
TSO’s multi-sensory extravaganza sells out year after year. Returning with all-new staging and effects, enjoy the show that started it all, “Christmas Eve and Other Stories.”

Lindsey Stirling – Warmer in the Winter Christmas Tour 2019
December 16, 7:30 PM
Peace Center, Greenville
See one of the 21st century’s most innovated stars, Lindsey Stirling, playing cinematic violin-driven electronic, holiday music.

 

Markets & Shops

Indie Craft Parade Holiday Pop-Up Shop
November 24 – December 22
2909 Old Buncombe Road, Greenville
Featuring the work of over 90 makers, shop a curated mix of handcrafted gifts and art.

2019 Holiday Craft Market
November 30, 11 AM – 5 PM
Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg
Support local artisans and get your holiday shopping done at the 2019 Holiday Craft Market.

Holiday Fair Greenville
December 5 – 7
Greenville Convention Center
The 49th Annual Holiday Fair is the region’s largest holiday arts, crafts, and gift show.

Holiday at the Hamptons
December 7, 2 – 8 PM
Birds Fly South Ale Project
Sip special draft, bottle, and canned beers while shopping the market of local makers and artisans at Hampton Station.

Drayton Mills Holiday Craft Fair
December 7, 10 AM – 4 PM
Drayton Mills, Spartanburg
Peruse unique, handmade gifts while sipping on hot cocoa from Bella Latte and enjoying holiday music at Drayton Mills.

A Very Merry Local Christmas Market
December 14, 1 PM – 4:30 PM
Trailblazer Park, Travelers Rest
Head to the Very Merry Local Christmas Market for an opportunity to purchase local items and gifts, eat at food trucks, and see Santa.