Get ready for an exciting holiday season in Greenville! Our guide has all the festive events and activities you need. For Greenville residents and seasonal visitors, our guide is your passport to festive delights.
The Festival of Trees transforms downtown Greenville into a dazzling winter wonderland with beautifully decorated trees. Experience the lively performances and vibrant floats of the Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade, which brings a unique charm to Main Street. And Ice on Main is something you definitely don’t want to miss, offering an outdoor ice-skating rink perfect for family fun. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Greenville
- Festival of Trees
- Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade
- Ice on Main
- Roper Mountain Holiday Lights
- Greenville Christmas Market
- Holiday Fair
- A Christmas Carol
Greenville Holiday Light Displays
Roper Mountain Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display on a historic astronomy site
Description:
Roper Mountain Holiday Lights combines celestial wonder with earthly illuminations. This drive-through spectacle unfolds on the grounds of a historic astronomy and science center, adding an educational twist to the holiday experience. Twinkling displays create constellations of color against the night sky. You can tune your car radio to a special station for synchronized music as you cruise through the sparkling scenes. The event supports local education initiatives, continuing the mountain's legacy of learning that began with its observatory in 1930.
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Greenville Holiday Markets and Shopping
Greenville Christmas Market
What to Expect:
European-style market with international flair
Description:
The Greenville Christmas Market transports visitors to a European-style holiday bazaar. Wooden chalets line the streets, offering an international array of gifts, crafts, and culinary delights. The air is filled with the aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Visitors can sample authentic German bratwurst or French pastries while browsing unique handcrafted items. This market brings a touch of Old World tradition to the heart of South Carolina, reflecting Greenville's growing reputation as a cosmopolitan Southern city.
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Holiday Fair
What to Expect:
Massive indoor marketplace with hundreds of vendors
Description:
Holiday Fair transforms the Greenville Convention Center into a shopper's paradise. This massive indoor marketplace boasts hundreds of vendors, offering everything from artisanal crafts to gourmet foods. The event's scale and variety set it apart from smaller holiday markets. Visitors can explore aisle after aisle of unique gifts, many crafted by local artisans. The fair has been a Greenville tradition for over 50 years, evolving from a small church bazaar to one of the largest holiday shopping events in the Southeast.
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Greenville Holiday Shows and Entertainment
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Interactive theater experience with period costumes
Description:
A Christmas Carol in Greenville breathes new life into Dickens' classic tale. This interactive theater experience immerses audiences in Victorian London, complete with period costumes and set designs. Actors mingle with the crowd before the show, blurring the lines between performance and reality. You might find yourself conversing with Bob Cratchit or dodging Scrooge's scowl. The production takes place in a historic Greenville theater, adding an extra layer of authenticity to this timeless story of redemption.
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Greenville Other Holiday Activities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Elaborately decorated trees by local organizations
Description:
The Festival of Trees transforms Greenville into a forest of creativity. Local businesses and organizations showcase their ingenuity by decorating unique Christmas trees, each telling a different story. Visitors can stroll through the dazzling display, marveling at the intricate ornaments and innovative designs. You might even pick up some decorating ideas for your own home. This event has been a Greenville tradition for over 30 years, bringing the community together in a celebration of artistry and holiday spirit.
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Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Parade featuring poinsettia-themed floats
Description:
Greenville's streets burst with color during the Poinsettia Christmas Parade. Floats adorned with vibrant poinsettias, the official city flower, create a sea of red and green. The parade's unique focus on this holiday plant sets it apart from typical Christmas processions. Listen to the merry tunes of marching bands as they accompany the floral spectacle. This event pays homage to Greenville's horticultural heritage, as the city was once a major poinsettia producer in the early 20th century.
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Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade
Ice on Main
What to Expect:
Open-air ice skating rink in the heart of downtown
Description:
Ice on Main brings winter charm to Greenville's balmy climate. This open-air ice skating rink, nestled in the heart of downtown, offers a rare opportunity for Southern skaters to glide under the sky. The rink's central location allows visitors to combine skating with exploring the city's vibrant Main Street. You can practice your pirouettes or simply enjoy a leisurely lap around the ice. This event has become a cherished tradition since its inception in 2011, drawing thousands of visitors annually.
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Nearby Events
Night of Lights (Traveler's Rest)
What to Expect:
Small-town charm with a candlelight procession
Description:
Night of Lights illuminates Traveler's Rest with small-town charm. The event kicks off with a unique candlelight procession, casting a warm glow through the streets. Local shops stay open late, offering special treats and festive wares. Visitors can join in caroling sessions that fill the air with melodious holiday tunes. This intimate celebration harkens back to the town's history as a rest stop for weary travelers, now welcoming modern-day visitors to pause and enjoy the season's simple pleasures.
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Skating on the Square (Spartanburg)
What to Expect:
Ice skating rink in a historic town square
Description:
Skating on the Square brings winter fun to Spartanburg's historic Morgan Square. This open-air rink offers a unique opportunity to glide beneath the gaze of centuries-old buildings. The contrast of ice against the backdrop of Southern architecture creates a memorable scene. Visitors can take a spin on the ice, then warm up with hot cocoa from nearby cafes. This event has revitalized Spartanburg's downtown during the winter months since its inception in 2012, becoming a beloved community tradition.
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Greer Christmas Parade (Greer)
What to Expect:
Night parade with illuminated floats
Description:
The Greer Christmas Parade dazzles as an after-dark spectacle. Illuminated floats glide through the streets, creating a river of light in the night. This evening timing sets it apart from typical daytime parades, adding an extra layer of excitement. Spectators can marvel at the creative use of lights on each float, from twinkling snowflakes to glowing reindeer. The parade route passes through Greer's historic downtown, highlighting the city's charming architecture and small-town atmosphere.
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Christmas at Heritage Park (Simpsonville)
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a living history park
Description:
Christmas at Heritage Park transports visitors to holidays past. This living history experience unfolds in Simpsonville's meticulously preserved 19th-century village. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts and holiday preparations from a bygone era. The aroma of freshly baked gingerbread wafts from historic kitchens. Visitors can participate in old-fashioned games or listen to stories of Christmases long ago. The event showcases how holiday celebrations have evolved over time, offering a unique perspective on our modern traditions.