We’re always falling for Greenville but especially from Friday, Nov. 8 to Sunday, Nov. 10 during Bank of America Fall For Greenville presented by Pepsi.
City Editor Danielle here. I spoke with Anna Catherine Miller, the City of Greenville’s tourism administrator, about this year’s festival and the ways it’s giving back in the aftermath of the storm that caused it to be postponed.
“We had a responsibility to our community to make the best decision, even if it wasn’t the easy decision,” Miller explained about the decision to push the festival to November. “This is a lot of people’s favorite event of the year, so being able to still put that on and make an impact for our vendors, bands, and community made it all worth it.”
Consider this your ultimate guide to one of the best weekends of the year.
Who’s on the lineup?
Among the 80+ acts taking stages around downtown are local favorites like Darby Wilcox, Mac Arnold, and Randomonium. Plus, we even spy a silent disco on the lineup. Save the full schedule to help plan your weekend + listen to the official festival playlist for a sneak peek of the sounds.
Bonus: Sofar Sounds — a music company organizing intimate concert experiences in 400 cities around the world — will host ticketed pop-up shows on hidden stages around the festival.
What’s on the menu?
“This year we are excited to increase the revenue percentages that go back to the restaurants,” Miller tells us. “All of the restaurants participating will be able to take more money home with them this year to help offset any of the costs that they incurred due to Hurricane Helene.”
Indulge in:
- Bites from ~60 local restaurants along Main Street
- 50+ brews in the Spinx Beer Garden
- 50+ wines in the GSP International Airport Wine Garden
- Pepsi products + limited beer and wine selections available around the festival
Note: Anyone drinking beer or wine needs to show their ID + purchase a $1 wristband at stations around the festival.
“In the Spinx Beer Garden, you’ll see lot of regional and local breweries that were impacted by the storm, so we’re really excited that some of our Asheville friends are able to be a part of the event still,” Miller added.
How do I navigate the festival?
This interactive map + this static map are available to help you find vendors, stages, ticket booths, and — of course — restrooms.
How do I get taste tickets?
While admission is free, you’ll need to purchase taste tickets to pay for food and drinks at the festival. It’s $5 per sheet of five tickets and can be purchased at booths around the festival. If you ordered tickets online (sales ended Wednesday, Nov. 6), you can pick them up at will call in front of City Hall.
Thursday, Nov. 7 is the last day to purchase tickets early at Bank of America Falls Tower on South Main Street + Diamonds Direct on Woodruff Road.
Pro tip: If you buy 10 sheets for $50, you’ll get a sheet for free ($5 value).
How do I get there?
If you’re planning to drive:
- Make note of road closures beginning Thursday morning (starting in the West End)
- Downtown parking garages will cost $5 for event parking
- Free parking + a free trolley is available at Greenville High School
If you’re planning to bike:
- Drop off your two-wheeler at Bike Walk Greenville’s bicycle valet.
If you want to catch a ride:
- Greenville Bike Taxi’s pick up and drop off will be on West Washington Street + West Broad Street.
Can I volunteer?
Sign up to help make the festival a success and you’ll receive:
- A volunteer t-shirt
- Two sheet of taste tickets per shift
- If you work 4+ shifts, you’ll also get free parking and five bonus sheets of taste tickets.
If you decide to volunteer last-minute, they accept walk-ups at the volunteer headquarters near City Hall. You’ll still get the perks listed above.
How is Fall For Greenville giving back?
During the festival, cash and taste tickets will be accepted at donation spots around the festival benefiting United Way of Greenville County + BeLoved Asheville to support disaster relief and recovery efforts for those in our area and in Western NC affected by Hurricane Helene.
“We have been able to donate over $900,000 to the community over the last 20 years,” Miller says. “I think you look at a normal year of what Bank of America Fall for Greenville can do, and then you take what happened in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and you say, ‘How can we do more?’”