An early look

• A 1,700-seat main hall
• A 400-seat intimate performance room
• A VIP club
• Multiple bars
• A rooftop terrace
• A courtyard

• Night of Lights | Friday, Dec. 1 | 5-8:30 p.m. | In front of M. Judson Booksellers, 130 S. Main St., Greenville | Free | Watch Main Street light up while you rock around Greenville’s 30-foot Christmas tree + its 25,550 LED lights.
• Barkuterie Weekend | Friday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 2 | Times vary | Paws & Claws, 475 Verdae Blvd., Greenville | $40 | Make a board full of your pet’s favorite meats, treats, dried fruit, and pâté.
• “The Nutcracker: Once Upon a Time in Greenville” | Friday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 3 | Times vary | Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville | $37-$75 | It’s a holiday classic with a Greenville twist.
• 53rd Annual Holiday Fair | Friday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 2 | Times vary | Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr., Greenville | $6-$7 | Shop a selection of holiday arts, crafts, and gifts from 350 vendors and get something for everyone on your list.

• Toasty Farmer’s Market | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Fireforge Crafted Beer, 311 E. Washington St., Greenville | Free entry | Shop 30+ vendors, sip on a drink from Coffee Coffee, and grab a bite from Fireforge or Sum Bar.

• Boozy Book Fair | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 1-3 p.m. | Liability Brewing, 109 W. Stone Ave., Ste. D, Greenville | Free entry | It’s the nostalgia of a school book fair but with a drink in your hand.
• Carolina Youth Symphony Holiday Concert | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 3 p.m. | McAlister Auditorium, Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville | $5-$10 | This concert features the Symphony, Concert, and Repertory Orchestras.

• World WONDERLand | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, 300 College St., Greenville | $12-$15 | Take a photo with Santa Claus and celebrate winter holidays celebrated around the world at TCMU’s World WONDERLand.*

What we tried:

• As the old County Square building is demolished, what’s next? Developers say most of 2024 will be spent on major infrastructure work and upgrading utilities. (Upstate Business Journal)

• Gather GVL postponed its Ugly Sweater party (originally planned for tomorrow) due to expected rain. Celebrate the season on Saturday, Dec. 9.

• ‘Tis the season to go shopping. Tonight at Night of Lights — the City of Greenville’s official tree lighting ceremony — shop local vendors from Greenville’s Saturday Market near M. Judson Booksellers from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• Explore Greenville’s galleries for MAC’s First Fridays tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Get a sneak peek of this month’s artist highlights, including several holiday exhibits and markets.

• Are you ready for it? The University of South Carolina’s School of Sports and Entertainment Management will offer a Taylor Swift course starting this spring called “Life is Just a Classroom: Taylor’s Version.” The class will focus on Swift’s business ingenuity and her “agency as a woman” in the music industry. (The Post and Courier)

• As you get a glimpse of your friends’ listening habits on your social media feeds this week, we’re wrapping up the content you loved most in 2023. From Chris Pratt sightings to a bridge honoring a gorilla, here’s your GVLtoday Wrapped with what made you double tap, click, and share this year.

• Need to escape the holiday chaos to work or study? Endeavor, Greenville’s premier co-working space, has a new Study Hall Pass for students, holiday visitors, and other professionals. For just $10 for students and $12 for professionals, enjoy workspace access 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, plus high-speed wifi, endless coffee + gym access.*

• Which ugly Christmas sweater would you choose? We’re liking: the Santa hat-topped wine glass or the “Home Alone” print featuring Catherine O’Hara.*

• Looking to update your current home instead of moving? HELOCs allow homeowners to use their home’s equity for remodels and repairs (instead of maxing out a credit card). Here’s how they work.*

• You deserve something delicious this weekend. Put this brunch star together on Saturday evening, let it sit overnight, then pop it in the oven for a sweet, sweet Sunday morning — and thank us on Monday.*

• We’re hiring a National Content Editor to support our markets nationwide. Responsibilities include planning, writing, editing, and publishing the most relevant, engaging, and conversational daily content about our cities. We’re seeking a person with a strong and diverse knowledge of content relevant to growing communities. See details and apply.

FedEx deadlines

• Wednesday, Dec. 13 | Ground economy
• Friday, Dec. 15 | 5-Day shipping
• Monday, Dec. 18 | 4-Day shipping
• Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 3-Day shipping (ground) + express saver
• Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 3-Day shipping (home) + 2-Day shipping (ground)
• Thursday, Dec. 21 | 2-Day shipping (home) + 1-day shipping (ground)
• Friday, Dec. 22 | 1-Day home delivery + same day

UPS deadlines

• Tuesday, Dec. 19 | UPS 3-Day Select
• Wednesday, Dec. 20 | UPS 2nd Day Air
• Thursday, Dec. 21 | UPS Next Day Air

United States Postal Service deadlines

• Saturday, Dec. 16 | USPS Ground Advantage + First-Class Mail
• Monday, Dec. 18 | Priority Mail
• Wednesday, Dec. 20 | Priority Mail Express