It’s no coincidence that “festival” and “fall” start with the same letter – ‘tis the season for the year’s biggest events. So we compiled a list of all the #MustDo events you (and we) are waiting for:
📆 Sept. 27 – Oct. 28 | Oktoberfest in Helen, GA (~1h 45m from GVL)
A German beer celebration in the South’s own re-creation of a Bavarian Alpine village. (Pro tip: “Prost” = “Cheers.” 🍻)
📆 Oct. 4 – 5 | 14th Annual Blues & Jazz Festival
A music festival for those who prefer old-school rhythm and soul. 🎶
📆 Oct. 4 – 6 | Oktoberfest at NOMA Square
The ultimate Oktoberfest in GVL, with a biergarten, ceremonial keg tapping, bratwurst eating contest, and stein holding competition.
📆 Oct. 4 – 6 | Albino Skunk Music Festival
An acoustic music festival with bluegrass roots + plenty of camping grounds for a weekend escape to the woods. 🌲
📆 Oct. 6 | Spartanburg International Festival
A melting pot of world cultures, with a Boulevard of Food, Avenue of Nations (featuring artifacts, clothing, and memorabilia), and music + dance.
📆 Oct. 10 – 21 | South Carolina State Fair (~1h 45m from GVL)
A Southern state fair with a little bit of everything – rides like the Skyglider, animals and livestock, flower shows, and Frito chili pie burgers.
📆 Oct. 12 | Artoberfest
A festival in Travelers Rest raising funds for Shriners Hospitals through handmade art, local music, and artisan food. 🎨
📆 Oct. 12 – 14 | BB&T Fall for Greenville
A huge music lineup, a beer + wine garden, culinary demos, and most importantly – Main Street lined with all kinds of food vendors.
📆 Oct. 12 – 14 | 33rd Annual Antiques, Fine Art & Design Weekend
Three days of 25+ dealers exhibiting their best antiques and art, with a swanky Preview Party to get a sneak peek at all the fine art.
📆 Oct. 17 | Harvest Festival at Eastside Family YMCA
Put on your costumes and bring your family and friends for hay rides, hot dogs and campfires, carnival games + more.
📆 Oct. 19 | Fresh Friday
An outdoors afternoon of yoga on the lawn, a market of local farmers + speciality artisans, live music, and cornhole. ☀
📆 Oct. 19 | Forestry Friday
A market held at the 80-acre Arran Farms, full of 50-70 local makers, food trucks, candle-making, and live music.
📆 Oct. 19 – 21 + 26 – 28 | Future Scholar Boo in the Zoo
20 trick-or-treat stations, character photo ops, an extinct species graveyard, Dragon Alley + a new Alice’s Fun House. 🎃
📆 Oct. 20 | Art on the Trail
A gathering of visual + performing artists in TR’s Trailblazer Park with local food trucks, an art market, performances, literary readings, and children’s art activities.
📆 Oct. 20 – 21 | The NESS Fest
Two days of wellness seminars, exercise classes, cooking demos, yoga, and meditation + more at the city’s first health and lifestyle festival.
📆 Oct. 26 | Harvest Festival at the Caine Halter Family YMCA
Bring the whole family for hay rides, campfires with s’mores, pumpkin painting, and carnival games.
📆 Oct. 26 | Harvest Festival at YMCA Program Center
Family friendly fun with free hot dogs, chips, water and cookies, BBQ for sale to benefit Y Scholarships, crafts for kids, cake walk, haunted trail.
📆 Oct. 27 | Hub City Brew Fest
A beer festival in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, with several options from tons of regional breweries (and plenty of Hub City restaurants to try in walking distance).
📆 Nov. 8 – 11 | Highlands Food & Wine (~1h 45m from GVL)
This foodie festival in the mountains has a food truck Friday, Sip & Shop events, and wine dinners all weekend.
📆 Nov. 10 | Greenville Craft Beer Festival
A beer-lovers gathering with something for every taste + a “Beer College” for a more personalized tasting experience. 🍺
