Heads up: We’re taking next week off. GVLweekend will be back in your inbox on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Happy holidays, GVL.
Where did the time go? It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through Hanukkahand Christmas is days away. If you’re looking to get out and do something festive on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the Upstate Holiday Lights Show at Greenville Pickens Speedway (3800 Calhoun Memorial Hwy.) is open all weekend.
Here are nine things to do in Greenville this weekend, Friday, Dec. 23-Sunday, Dec. 25.
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
Friday, Dec. 23
Holidays at the Zoo | Friday, Dec. 23 | 3-8 p.m. | Greenville Zoo, 150 Cleveland Park Dr., Greenville | $8-$14 | Immerse yourself in thousands of lights, festive decorations, and cheerful music while you journey through the Greenville Zoo.
Upstate Holiday Light Show | Friday, Dec. 23-Sunday, Dec. 25 | 6-11 p.m. | Greenville Pickens Speedway, 3800 Calhoun Memorial Hwy., Easley | $35-$120 | Drive through a nighttime Christmas wonderland featuring 32 million colored lights synchronized to the music plus enjoy carnival rides and a petting zoo.
Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs. Atlanta Gladiators | Friday, Dec. 23 | 7:05 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville | $22-$50 | Watch the Swamp Rabbits take on the Atlanta Gladiators.
Late Nite Bar + Birrias | Friday, Dec. 23 | 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m. | GB&D, 147 Welborn St., Greenville | Free | Join @tacogvl for a late-night pop up at Golden Brown & Delicious.
Greenville Christmas Market | Friday, Dec. 23-Saturday, Dec. 24 | Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville, 44 E. Camperdown Way, Greenville | Free | Start a new holiday tradition with live music and entertainment to meet and greets with Santa.
Saturday, Dec. 24
Christmas Eve Blowout Party | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Southernside Brewing Co., 25 Delano Dr., Unit D, Greenville | Free | Enjoy happy hour + drink specials, family activities, and holiday decor.
Greenville Christmas Eve Run | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 6:30 a.m. | Mellow Mushroom, 1 Augusta St., Greenville | Free | Run a ~3 mile route through downtown Greenville + enjoy breakfast after at Eggs Up Grill — bring a box or two of instant grits to donate to HOPE Missions homeless shelter.
Live Music: Brian Ashley Jones | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 3-5 p.m. | Fireforge Crafted Beer, 311 E. Washington St., Greenville | Free | Enjoy a festive show with singer-songwriter Brian Ashley Jones.
Sunday, Dec. 25
Christmas Day Meal | Sunday, Dec. 25 | 11:30 a.m. | Comal 864, 1112 Woodside Ave., Greenville | Free | Donate gently used coats + help hand out free plates of food to people in need.
We can’t wait for what 2023 has in store. | Photo by GVLtoday
Plan Ahead
Looking for where to ring in 2023? Now is the time to make plans to celebrate on New Year’s Eve. We’re here to help with 10 ways to ring in the new year with your friends and family. 🥂
Weather
Local forecasters are calling for “dangerously cold temperatures” this holiday weekend with some of the most frigid temperatures the Upstate has seen on Christmas in decades (think: the 1980s). Looking for a place to cozy up? Here are 20+ outdoor spaces for warming upin and around downtown Greenville
Eat
The food scene in Greenville is growing in 2023. We got sneak peeks of Sum Bar (opening January 21, 2023) and The Jones Oyster Co. (opening January 2023). We also made stops at newly opened spots like Hester General Store (1735 Hester Store Rd., Easley), Bohemian Bull (3620 Pelham Rd.), and Mochinut (1300 SC-14 C, Greer).
GREAT ESCAPES
Our guide to Cedar Key, Florida
Great Escapes: Our guide to Cedar Key, Florida
There’s not a lot of places to go for a swim in Cedar Key, but you can go for a dip at the City Park or enjoy a nighttime stroll. | Photo by 6AM City
North Florida’s Cedar Key is a tiny island the size of about two Ybor Citiesand has fewer than 900 permanent residents, but it pulls in thousands of visitors throughout the year for its amazing seafood, arts festivals, and fishing.
Why go? Nothing screams Old Florida quite like Cedar Key. Yes the island is home to incredible fishing and funky artists, but also reminds us of the beauty of slow, outdoorsy Florida living.
Outdoors: Book a ride with Tidewater Tours. The guides walk you through both the history of the area and the surrounding keys, and point out native wildlife along the way ($35).
Vrbo: A downtown cottage right in town (~$154/night)*
Bonus message from our partner: If you’re looking to book this trip, Scott’s Cheap Flights offers all the affordable flight hacks from your home airport. Sign up here.*
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Travel
How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌴*
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