How many Greenville Easter eggs can you spot? | Photo by GVLtoday
This is the kind of news that bakes our day. Grab the family and head downtown for a sweetnew Greenville holiday tradition.
Starting today, Thursday, Dec. 1, stroll through the winter wonderland-themed lobby of the Residence Inn + Springhill Suites (200 E. Washington St.) and view festive gingerbread displays created by local chefs, restaurants, and businesses.
What to expect
You’ll find cookie replicasof Greenville landmarks and restaurants (Think: Soby’s New South Cuisine, Jianna, and the Reedy River) + a picture-perfect train station bound for the North Pole.
Cast a ballot for your favorite and it could win the “People’s Choice Award.” The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve and take home a $500 prize.
Pro tip: Don’t miss the over-the-top displays in the lobby crafted by local culinary students from Greenville Technical College + Donaldson Career Center.
Feeling inspired?
Have an idea for a gingerbread display of your own? There is room for seven bakers to share their creations alongside the Greenville pros. If you win “People’s Choice” in the amateur division, you’ll receive a free one-night stay at the Residence Inn + Springhill Suites and a gift card to dine at Oak and Honey. Enter now.
Holiday treats
While you can’t munch on the displays, Oak and Honey will have a special holiday menu with a little something for everyone. Sip on a Sleigh Ride (spiked hot chocolate) or a Snowball Fight (raspberry lime sorbet mimosa) + grab a Christmas Cookie and Candy Plate for the kids.
Looking for more festive family fun? Click the button below for a special gingerbread event + even more seasonal, spirited fun.
From skating at United Community Bank Ice on Main to watching the Poinsetta Christmas Parade and everything in between, we want to know how your family celebrates the season in Greenville.
LEO Santa Toy Drive at Bon Secours Wellness Arena | Thursday, Dec. 1-Friday, Dec. 2 | All day | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville | Free | Fill patrol cars with gifts donated by the community for kids in need this holiday season.
Neighborhood Night | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Upcountry History Museum, 540 Buncombe St., Greenville | Free | Drop in to explore the Upcountry History Museum and its changing exhibitions.
Defenders for Children Miracle Bash | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Southernside Brewing Co. , 25 Delano Dr., Greenville | Free | A holiday party with a purpose — enjoy festive food, drinks, and fun while raising money for “Defenders For Children.”
52nd Annual Holiday Fair | Thursday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 3 | Times vary | Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr., Greenville | $7 | Support small businesses and shop the region’s largest selection of holiday arts, crafts+ gifts during this three-day, award-winning fair.*
Friday, Dec. 2
The Polar Express Party | Friday, Dec. 2 | 10:30-11:15 a.m. | Hughes Main Library, 25 Heritage Green Pl., Greenville | Free | Kids 12 and under are invited to join Greenville County Library System for games, crafts, and cocoa.
The Nutcracker: Once Upon a Time in Greenville | Friday, Dec. 2-Sunday, Dec. 4 | 7 p.m. | Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville | $35-$75 | Celebrate the holidays with this Christmas ballet classic.
Saturday, Dec. 3
2022 World Cup Watch Party | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 2-4 p.m. | Growler Haus, 12 Lois Ave., Greenville | Free | Be there for all the action and watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup with the Triumph at a watch party.
Sunday, Dec. 4
Greenville Council of Garden Clubs Presents “The Gilded Age Christmas” | Sunday, Dec. 4-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 1 a.m.-4 p.m. | Kilgore Lewis House, 560 N. Academy St., Greenville | Free | Tour the Historic Kilgore Lewis House with every room of this historic home decked out in gilded holiday finery.
Simpsonville’s Christmas Parade Presented By Weichert, Realtors | Sunday, Dec. 4 | 3-5 p.m. | Main Street, N.E. and S.E. Main St., Simpsonville | Free | Start the seasonal celebration at this community-favorite event — this year’s theme: Sounds of the Season.*
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Pro tip: It’s never too early to get started with a financial advisor who is legally bound to work in your best interest.Whether you’re a Gen Z or Baby Boomer, this free service can help you work towards financial freedom.*
135. That’s how many parking spaces the City of Greenville is adding in the West End in 2024. The spots will be located in a parking garage at South Main and Markley Streets as part of the mixed-use development project near Fluor Field. 🚙
$6.75 million. That’s how much the Greenville County Library System has agreed to pay for a former Bi-Lo grocery store. The library wants to expand the F.W. Symmes Branch (1508 Pelham Rd.) in the 56,000-sqft space at East North Street + Howell and Haywood roads. (The Post and Courier Greenville) 📚
Civic
Gower Park (24 Evelyn Ave., Greenville) could receive $1.4 million in improvements — including renovated basketball and tennis courts, new pickleball courts, and a 65,000-sqft parking lot. Greenville City Council approved $900,000 for the project after the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund awarded the city $500,000. (Greenville Journal)
Asked
Have you hit the Taco Trail? VisitGreenvilleSC needs your help deciding which spots get added as the trail evolves in 2023. Comment on this post with your favorite taco spot, and it could be featured on VisitGreenvilleSC’s “More Tacos” page, with a fan favorite expected to be added to the trail next year. 🌮
DYK 2,000+ cyclists, runners, and walkersuse the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail near Unity Park each weekday and ~3,000 people use it on Saturdays and Sundays? What month do you think was busiest on the SRT according to the trail counter? Drop your guess. 🚲
On This Day
In 1958, Greenville Memorial Auditoriumopened its doors with a game between Furman + West Virginia. Greenville has been home to multiple basketball tournaments since then, and on Saturday, Dec. 17, the inaugural Greenville Winter Invitational will take over Bon Secours Wellness Arena. 🏀
Award
Furman Universitywas named by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for its efforts to increase voter participation in this year’s midterm elections. Dins Vote, a student organization, held voter registration drives and helped give students the tools to head to the polls. 🗳️
Health
Open enrollment for individual and family health insurance is now. Enrollment events are happening this week at American Carolina Insurance at 213 Three Bridges Rd. on Friday, Dec. 2, 12-7 p.m. orElite Insurance at 2611 Wade Hampton Blvd. on Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.*
Edu
Get out a pencil and a blank piece of paper, Greenville. It’s time to apply for the 2023-24 school year at Christ Church Episcopal School. If you want to make an educated decision, before you do, join a tour of the Lower School on Tuesdays at 9 a.m.; the Middle School on Wednesdays at 9 a.m.; or the Upper School on Fridays at 9 a.m. 🍎*
Shop
If you work from home like us, you’ve likely become accustomed to having stiff muscles at the end of a workday due to prolonged sitting. Combat this with a little office upgrade — an electric standing desk paired with a sleek under desk treadmill. Oh, and don’t forget to stay hydrated.*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
Did your favorite story of 2022 make the list? | Graphic by GVLtoday + Spotify
Chances are your Instagram stories were filled with people’s Spotify Wrapped 2022 yesterday. Whether you’re like Danielle and Taylor Swift provided the soundtrack to your year or Kyle with Kris Bowers (the composer of Netflix’s “Bridgerton” music score) in the top spot, we’re glad you chose to spend 2022 reading GVLtoday.
DYK GVLtoday will deliver 16,500,000+ newsletters by the end of 2022? We couldn’t do what we do without you.
Our top genre this year? Development. You couldn’t wait to get a sneak peek inside the Grand Bohemian Lodge when we took you on a hard hat tour in July. It became the most-read story of the year.
It’s no surprise the second most popular genre of 2022 was Eat + Drink, with our Happy Hour and Brunch guidesrounding out the top five. What was your favorite restaurant you tried this year? We want to know.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Danielle.
Editor’s pick: I’m trying to get a jump on my holiday shopping now that it’s officially December. This gift guide full of local Etsy shops + the Greenville page on Six & Main have been a great start, but I’m looking for even more great options to stuff my family’s stockings with unique Greenville goodies. Where are your favorite spots to shop local? Let me know.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We said goodbye to November with a look back at the month’s biggest stories.
Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.
* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.