Warmest wishes, Greenville. We’re taking a pause on newsletters to spend time with our loved ones. We’ll see you back in your inboxes daily at 6 a.m., starting Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. In the meantime, peruse our archives.
13 gifts you can buy today
Treat your loved ones to fun, cozy, and personalized picks this holiday gifting season. | Graphic by 6AM City
Happy holidays, Greenville. Here are 13 gift ideas you can still shop this holiday season:
40th Festival of Trees | Friday, Dec. 19-Thursday, Dec. 25 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | Various locations | Free
Holidays at the Kilgore-Lewis House | Friday, Dec. 19-Sunday, Dec. 21 | Kilgore-Lewis House & The Greenville Council of Garden Clubs | Free, donation requested
Bundle up, grab some hot chocolate, and make magical memories without stressing your wallet. | Photo provided by Greenville Federal Credit Union
Winter break can feel like a long stretch, especially when the kids are full of energy and you’re running out of ways to keep them entertained.
Greenville Federal Credit Union has put together a guide to fun, budget-friendly activities so the whole family can enjoy the season without stressing your wallet.
Festive freebies
Mice on Main Scavenger Hunt: Explore Main Street at sunset to enjoy the holiday lights while hunting for hidden mice.
Festival of Trees: View creatively decorated trees at hotels throughout downtown.
Low-cost fun
Ice on Main Skating: Tickets are only $10 for a chilly, fun-filled experience.
Regal Cinemas discounted tickets: $7.99–$9 for regular showings and holiday classics.
Takeoff Golf Holiday Mini Golf: Putt through Christmas lights for a glowing festive twist.
Go for a drive
Enjoy local holiday light displays with a thermos of hot chocolate and the kids bundled up.
Augusta Street Pizza — located near Chicken Salad Chick — is now open, serving a limited menu daily at 11:30 a.m. until they sell out. Keep an eye on social media for updates to operating hours as it nears its grand opening on Monday, Jan. 5.
Announced
The playground at Unity Park reopens Monday, Dec. 22 following repairs to the turf, which was damaged during Hurricane Helene. Let playtime commence.
Civic
City offices and the Greenville Zoo will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Thursday, Dec. 25, for Christmas. There will be no bus service, and Thursday trash pickup will take place on Friday, Dec. 26.
Drink
Holiday cheers. Local food writer Tiare-Leiana Solis-Ridgell compiled a list of 11 can’t-miss holiday cocktails. Which one caught my eye? Patterson Kitchen’s Dubai Chocolate Punch, a play on the viral chocolate bar made with chocolate bourbon, hazelnut liqueur, and house-made pistachio creme, lined with chocolate and finished with a macaron. (Greenville Journal)
Number
35+. That’s how many New Year’s celebrations were added to our Plan Ahead, with plenty of time for you to do just that — plan ahead. Use our list to snag tickets, make reservations, or round up the kids for a Noon Year’s balloon drop.
Ranked
No. 3. That’s where Furman soccer ranked in both the Top Drawer Soccer and United Soccer Coaches’ National Rankings. Congrats on a historic season, Paladins.
Holiday
Looking for spots open on Christmas Day? Mountain Goat is open from 6 to 9 p.m., and Omni is popping up at Escorpion (at Comal 864) on Christmas Day from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Plus, here’s a list of spots offering dine-in and take-out. (Kidding Around Greenville)
Announced
Meet The Brief: local business news, announcements, jobs, events, company blogs, podcasts, and deals — all in one tidy weekly newsletter. Think GVLtoday, but strictly business content. Take ~2 minutes to share your thoughts and help us craft it. Only five industry-exclusive launch spots exist; email rjohnston@6amcity.com to snag one.
Environment
We all rely on our local waterways — for recreation, for wildlife habitats, and for the overall health of our community. One of the simplest ways to protect them starts right at home: being mindful of what we flush. Think twice before you flush.*
The holidays are about spending time with the ones you love. Celebrate the season together with a romantic weekend getaway to Winston-Salem, where love is rekindled with candlelit charm, enchanting strolls, and cozy fireside nights. Start planning your storybook stay.*
Culture
Asked
🎄 Yule be the judge
The holidays are full of traditions we love — and a few we love to argue about. | Graphic by 6AM City
Holiday traditions evoke warm and fuzzy feelings of nostalgia, gratitude, and togetherness. But for all the joy that traditions inspire, they also tend to spark something else: very strong opinions.
This year, we’re stepping in to settle classic holiday hot takes. After all, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without a few friendly debates.
Real tree or fake tree?
Is cutting down a fresh spruce part of the magic, or does an artificial tree make more sense?
Should you leave festive decorations up past the holiday?
When is it time to say goodbye to the garland? When you’re ready to un-deck the halls, Miracle Hill accepts used holiday gear and donations.
Is eggnog festive and flavorful or absolutely foul?
Don’t get us started on whether it should be served warm or cold.
Do you still send and receive holiday cards?
Is this tradition fading or holding strong in your household? In my opinion, snail mail isn’t dead yet, and we have a list of local businesses to support for your stationery.
Take the poll to put in your two cents — then stay tuned for the final results in an upcoming newsletter.
The Buy team here. We’ve recommended a lot of items this year, from home organization staples to wardrobe must-haves. Here are the top-shopped products:
I’m excited to have my brothers and sister joining us in Greenville for Christmas this year. On my personal list of activities, I’ll be taking them to:
