Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready GVL. From light displays to holiday performances and festive parties, winter is where Greenville thrives.
Gather the family and friends and celebrate what makes the holiday season special with this guide featuring 40+ winter events happening between December and February.
Festivals and markets
37th Annual Festival of Trees | Fri., Nov. 18-Mon., Dec. 26 | Hours vary | Courtyard Marriott Downtown, Embassy Suites by Hilton – Riverplace, and Hyatt Regency Greenville | Free | View decorated trees along the entranceways of three hotels in downtown Greenville.
Greenville Christmas Market | Fri., Nov. 25-Sun., Jan. 1, 2023 | Hours vary | Grand Bohemian Lodge, 44 E. Camperdown Way | Free entry | A traditional Salzburg Christmas market comes to life in the heart of downtown, featuring vendors and various holiday celebrations.
Greenville Holiday Fair | Thurs., Dec. 1-Sat., Dec. 3 | Thurs.-Fri., 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. + Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr. | $6-$7 | Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with 350 crafters and commercial vendors.
Greer Christmas Festival | Sat., Dec.3-Sun., Dec. 4 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Greer City Park, 301 E. Poinsett St., Greer | Free entry | Shop for the holidays at this themed market featuring your favorites from the Greer Farmers Market and live music, locally-made gifts, and food trucks.
Kringle Holiday Village | Fri., Dec.9-Sun., Dec. 11 | Fluor Field at the West End | Prices vary | Hours vary | Mingle among local artisans, meet Santa, sip on glühwein or beer from the biergarten, listen to live music, and more.
TD Saturday Market Holiday Edition | Sat., Dec. 10 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Downtown Greenville | Free entry | Add some cheer to your Saturday morning tradition by shopping for handmade holiday crafts and baskets in addition to seasonal produce and specialty goods.
Very Merry Christmas Market | Sat., Dec. 10 | 12-4 p.m. | Travelers Rest Farmers Market, 235 Trailblazer Dr., Travelers Rest | Free entry | Celebrate the season at Travelers Rest Farmers Market’s largest-ever market with 100+ makers, live music from Justyn Fox, bites from The Noodle Lady food truck, and the chance to meet Santa.
2023 Wedding Festival | Sun., Jan. 8, 2023 | 1-4 p.m. | Hyatt Downtown Greenville, 220 N. Main St. | $0-$45 | Calling all future brides — see the latest wedding trends and ideas for your future wedding, learn tips from wedding pros, and have a chance to win prizes and giveaways.
Holiday experiences + events
United Community Bank Ice on Main | Mon., Nov. 14-Mon., Jan. 16, 2023 | Hours vary | Village Green, 206 S. Main St. | $5 | Strap on your skates and hit the ice for this annual attraction and enjoy hot chocolate and other seasonal treats.
Nutcracker: The Exhibition | Sat., Nov. 19-Sun., Feb. 19, 2023 | Hours vary | Upcountry History Museum, 540 Buncombe St. | $9-$12 | Explore artistic reimaginings of “The Nutcracker” from the 1820’s to the present, including original illustrations, drawings, film and ballet costumes, props, and more.
Miracle | Mon., Nov. 21-Sat., Dec. 31 | 11 a.m.-12 a.m. | Southernside Brewing Co., 25 Delano Dr. | Free entry | Immerse yourself in this holiday wonderland and pop-up bar featuring themed cocktails, floor-to-ceiling holiday decor, and weekly specials and activities.
Annual Holiday Pop-Up Series | Sat., Nov. 26 + Fri., Dec. 2-Sat., Dec. 3; Sat., Dec. 10 | Hours vary | Art & Light Gallery, 16 Aiken St. | Free entry | Find a unique gift, from wood-turned bowls to precious metal jewelry, at this pop-up series.
Book Lover’s Holiday Party | Thurs., Dec. 1 | 5-8 p.m. | Fiction Addiction, 1175 Woods Crossing Rd. | $5-$18.01 | Drop in for refreshments and wine and book recommendations while you knock out your holiday shopping — receive a free ornament with a purchase of $100 or more.
Wilson Girls Pop-Up | Thurs., Dec. 1-Sat., Dec. 3 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Wilson Girls, 59 E. Main St. | Free entry | Stock up on gifts for the holidays at this pop up shop stocked with curated goods.
Greenville Gingerbread House Display | Thurs., Dec. 1-Mon., Dec. 26 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Residence Inn-Springhill Suites, 200 E. Washington St. | Free entry | Stroll through holiday gingerbread creations from local chefs and restaurants in a wooded, winter wonderland-themed lobby and cast a vote for your favorite.
Poinsettia Christmas Parade | Sat., Dec. 3 | 6 p.m. | Main Street, Downtown Greenville | Free | Celebrate the holidays in Greenville during this 75-year tradition.
Christmas Cracker Workshop with Laurie Messenger | Tues., Dec. 6 | 6 p.m. | Dear Greenville, 80 Orchard Park Dr. | $50 | Create your own Christmas crackers and fill them with a chocolate, crown, joke, and little surprise — materials will be provided to make six crackers.
Ugly Sweater Holiday Party | Wed., Dec. 7 | 6-8 p.m. | Think Tank Brew Lab, 101 Airport Rd. | Free entry | Don your ugliest holiday sweater and mingle with the Junior League of Greenville — light snacks and a cash bar will be provided and the best ugly sweater wins a bottle of wine.
Birdie It’s Cold Outside Paint and Sip | Fri., Dec. 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Wine and Design, 1175 Woods Crossing Rd. | $65 | Bring your boo for a paint and sip date night where you’ll create two coordinating paintings of winter birds.
Teddy Bear Toss | Sat., Dec. 10 | 7:05 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena | $24-$52 | Donate a new or gently-used stuffed animal to local children in need — when the Swamp Rabbits score their first goal of the game, throw your stuffed animals onto the ice.
Travelers Rest Christmas Parade | Sat., Dec. 10 | 10:30 a.m. | Hawkins Road + North Poinsett Highway, Travelers Rest | Free | Catch a parade through downtown Travelers Rest to celebrate the holiday season.
Christmas Card Workshop with Ashley Ganahl Fonville | Tues., Dec. 13 | 6 p.m. | Dear Greenville, 80 Orchard Park Dr. | $28 | Learn ways to add decorative elements to holiday envelopes using washi tape, stickers, and unique pen — includes 10 flat cards and envelopes plus access to the Dear Greenville craft stash.
Holidays at the Zoo | Thurs., Dec.15-Fri., Dec. 23 + Mon., Dec. 26-Fri., Dec. 30 | 3-8 p.m. | Greenville Zoo, 150 Cleveland Park Dr. | Take a walk through twinkling lights, listen to music, and visit the Holiday Village at a very merry Greenville Zoo.
Winter Camp | Mon., Dec. 19-Fri., Dec. 23 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Children’s Museum of the Upstate Greenville, 300 College St. | $35-$40 per day | Young campers are invited to learn about winter holidays like Las Posadas and Omisoka and explore traditions, food and stories behind each.
Holiday Cooking Camps | Mon., Dec. 19-Fri., Dec. 23 + Tues., Dec. 27-Fri., Dec. 30 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Good to Go GVL, 209 W. Antrim Dr. | $65-$275 | Kids 6-12 years old are invited to a week of baking, crafts, and practicing kitchen skills — an apron, recipe book, and lunch are included.
Light displays
Upstate Holiday Light Show | Thurs., Nov. 24-Sat., Dec. 31 | Sun.-Thurs., 6-10 p.m. + Fri.-Sat., 6-11 p.m. | Greenville-Pickens Speedway, 3800 Calhoun Memorial Hwy. | $35-$100 | Take a 30-minute drive through the Upstate’s largest interactive light show featuring 32 million colors synchronized to 15 holiday songs.
Fifth Annual Holidays at Hartness | Thurs., Dec. 1 | 6 p.m. | Grand lawn at Hartness, 2000 Society St. | Free entry | Roast s’mores, sip on Village Kitchen hot cocoa or wine and beer from The Reservoir, watch the lighting of the Hartness Christmas tree, and more.
Night of Lights | Fri., Dec. 2 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | M. Judson Booksellers, 130 S. Main St. | Free entry | Join the City of Greenville for its annual lighting of the 30-ft Christmas tree featuring 25,550 LED lights + enjoy food trucks and vendors, live music, and a special visit from Santa Claus.
Christmas Carol Sing and Lighting | Fri., Dec. 2 | 4-9 p.m. | Bob Jones University, 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd. | Free entry | Sing your favorite Christmas carols, feat on a Christmas dinner, and bring the kids for activities like cookie decorating and reindeer games.
Christmas Tree Lighting | Fri., Dec. 2 | 5-8 p.m. | Greer City Park, 301 E. Poinsett St. | Free | See the lighting of Greer’s Christmas tree before you indulge in holiday craft stations, inflatables, s’mores, Santa, and performances at the amphitheater.
Holiday performances
Miracle on 34th Street | Wed., Nov. 30-Sun., Dec. 18 | Times vary | Centre Stage, 501 River St. | $33 | Go back in time to the 1940’s to watch the story of a department store Santa who believes he’s the real Kris Kringle.
A Christmas Carol | Fri., Dec. 2-Sun., Dec., 11 | Times vary | Mauldin Cultural Center, 101 E. Butler Rd. | $20 | Watch the story of Ebenezer Scrooge on the Mauldin Cultural Center Stage.
The Nutcracker: Once Upon a Time in Greenville | Fri., Dec. 2-Sun., Dec. 4 | Times vary | Peace Center Concert Hall, 300 S. Main St. | $35-$75 | See the European-inspired production that brings the story of “The Nutcracker” to Greenville.
Broadway Holiday Spectacular | Thurs., Dec. 8-Sun., Dec. 18 | Times vary | Greenville Theatre, 444 College St. | $40 | This original story centers around a young Greenville family whose daughter’s secret holiday wish is to become a Broadway performer.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve | Fri., Dec. 9 | 3 p.m. + 7:30 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena | TSO brings its festive tour to Greenville.
The Nutcracker | Fri., Dec. 9-Sun., Dec. 11 | Times vary | Peace Center Concert Hall, 300 S. Main St. | $20-$75 | The International Ballet and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra perform the two-act holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.”
Chris Isaak: Everybody Knows It’s Christmas Tour | Mon., Dec. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Peace Center Concert Hall, 300 S. Main St. | $50-$80 | Grammy-nominated singer Chris Isaak performs songs from his second career Christmas album, “Everybody Knows It’s Christmas.”
Holiday at Peace | Fri., Dec.16-Sun., Dec. 18 | Times vary | Peace Center Concert Hall, 300 S. Main St. | $20-$65 | The Greenville Symphony Orchestra presents this musical event featuring conductor Edvard Tchivzhel, host Jamarcus Gaston, soprano Rachel York, and dancers of the International Ballet.
A Burchfield Family Christmas | Sat., Dec. 17 | 8 p.m. | 7 p.m. | Radio Room Greenville, 110 Poinsett Hwy. | $15-$25+ | Singer Sam Burchfield performs at the Radio Room with Pip the Pansy.
NYE events
Juniper New Year’s Eve Rooftop Masquerade | Sat., Dec. 31 | 8:30 p.m. | Juniper, AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville, 315 S. Main St. | $150-$250 | Grab your best mask + ring in the new year with rooftop views.
Champagne Brunch on New Year’s Eve | Sat., Dec. 31 | 1-3 p.m. | The Cook’s Station, 515 Buncombe St. | $100 | Taste champagnes + enjoy small bites and a three-course meal including Eggs and grits with truffle and halloumi cheese and Mustard marinated porchetta.
Reedy River Grand Ball | Sat., Dec. 31 | 9 p.m. | Hyatt Regency, 220 N. Main St. | $119-$223 | Toast to 2023 at SC’s largest NYE event complete with three ballrooms and stages, unlimited food and drinks, champagne pouring aerialists, and more.
New Year’s Eve 2023 Southern Gala | Sat., Dec. 31 | 8:30 p.m. | Commerce Club, 55 Beattie Pl., Floor 17 | $100-$1,200 | Support the National Alliance of Mental Illness Greenville + Tell Every Amazing Lady about Ovarian Cancer at this NYE bash featuring bites, unlimited drinks, a dance party with Uptown Entertainment’s Fusion, and more.
Foreverland’s New Years Eve Grand Gatsby Grand Ball | Sat., Dec. 31 | 7 p.m. | Landmark Hall, 156 Landmark Dr., Taylors | $29-$58 | Party like Gatsby at this themed party featuring photos ops, hourly toasts “around the world,” charcuterie board bites, plus learn to dance the Charleston and the Balboa.
Clock Tower Taproom NYE Party | Sat., Dec. 31 | 7 p.m. | Clock Tower Taproom and Billiards, 120 S. Main St., Ste. B, Simsponville | $55 | Join DJ Pucho and DJ Vortex to ring in the new year with an open buffet, party favors, and midnight champagne toast.
New Years Day Hockey | Sun., Jan. 1, 2023 | 3:05 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena | $18-$50 | Start 2023 off with the Swamp Rabbits as they face off against the Jacksonville Icemen.
New Years Day PJ Party Drag Brunch | Sun., Jan. 1 | 11 a.m. + 2 p.m. | Ink N Ivy Greenville, 201 E. Coffee St. | $10 | Stay in your pajamas for this drag brunch party hosted by Rylee Hunty.
