This article was originally written for Greenville360.com. Click HERE to read the post there.
Now that the rush of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday have passed, it is time to get into the Christmas and Holiday spirit. I have rounded up some seasonal events around Greenville to help fight the 70 degree afternoons on Main Street and put you in the Holiday spirit. There is something for everyone ranging from an Ugly Christmas Sweater Crawl to local favorite Tiny Town. Scroll down to learn when to catch the parades and shows in Greenville, and where to cut a Christmas tree, view local Greenville light shows, and how to shop local at pop-ups. Keep an eye out for the * indicating my personal favorite Christmas and holiday events in and around Greenville, SC.
Parades
*Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade: December 2, 2017, 6 – 7:30 PM. The annual Christmas Parade of around 90 floats starts at the West End and moves North.
Annual Christmas Parade in Easley: December 9, 2017, 6 PM.
Christmas Parade in Greer: December 3, 2017, 2:30 – 3:30 PM.
Christmas Parade in Laurens: Christmas at the Movies: December 2, 2017, 11 AM – 1 PM.
Travelers Rest Christmas Parade: The Carols of Christmas: December 9, 2017, 10 AM.
Spartanburg Parade: December 12, 2017, 6:30 PM.
Where to Cut Your Tree
Tom Sawyer’s Christmas Trees. Address: 240 Chimney Pond Road, Glenville, NC. More info HERE.
Mystic Tree Farm. Address:9029 Old White Horse Road, Greenville, SC. More info HERE.
Merry Christmas Tree Farm. Address: 244 Lay Bridge Road, Central, SC. More info HERE.
May-Lan Tree Plantation. Address: 156 Cooley Bridge Road, Pelzer, SC. More info HERE.
Frosty Mountain Tree Farm. Address: 13623 Highway 212, Marshall, NC 28753. More info HERE.
Mehaffey Tree Farm. Address: 24 Corner Drive, Waynesville, NC. More info HERE.
Boyd Christmas Tree Farm. *SOLD OUT* of Choose & Cut Trees. Address: 445 Boyd Farm Rd, Waynesville, NC. More info HERE.
Holiday Plays and Shows
The Nutcracker with the Greenville Symphony by The Greenville Symphony Orchestra and performed by the International Ballet at The Peace Center. $18+. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
The Nutcracker: Once Upon a Time in Greenville performed by The Carolina Ballet, a local company, on December 22-23, 2017, 2:30 PM and 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Sherlock Holmes and The Christmas Goose plays at various times December 7-10, 2017 at Greenville Little Theatre. $20 – $35. Find out more information HERE.
Frosty at Greenville Little Theatre plays at various times December 12-16, 2017 at Greenville Little Theatre. $20 – $35. Find out more information HERE.
Happy Christmas Shirley at Centre Stage from December 5-17 at various times. $18.50+.
Christmas Cabaret at Centre Stage features local talent singing Christmas favorites. The performance is December 19, 2017, at 7 PM. $51.50. More information is available HERE.
A Christmas Carol, Presented by Nebraska Theatre Caravan at Bob Jones University. The show is December 2, 2017, 2-5 PM. More information is available HERE.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents The Ghosts of Christmas Eve at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on December 8, 2017 at 8 PM. Tickets are available HERE.
The Polar Express Drive-In Movie plays at Denver Downs Farm December 16, 7 PM. $25 per car of 4 or less and $5 per each additional person.
Drive-Through Light Shows
Holiday Lights at the Roper Mountain Science Center is said to be in its last year of operation. The lights run now through December 24th, 6 – 10 PM. $10 – $15 per vehicle.
Hollywild Animal Park Lights Safari in Inman, South Carolina is a drive-through light trail leading to a petting zoo, pony rides, a bonfire, and concessions in “Santa’s Village.” The “Enchanted Deer Forest” is quite the experience, consisting of a giant field enclosure containing roaming bison, cow, deer, emu, goats, lambs, zebras, and more. Vehicles maneuver around the field to feed the animals right through their windows. Admission is $6 per person and the Deer Forest is $10. Food costs additional money. Find out more HERE.
Upstate Holiday Light Show at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway includes an Ice Rink, Petting Zoo, and Santa Land that is open through December 31, 2017, 5:45 PM – 9:45 PM. $20 per small vehicle.
Local Home Light Shows
Tiny Town, Easley, SC: In what can only be described as a combination of collected folk and antique miniature scenes, lights, and Christmas nostalgia décor, Tiny town is truly one of the most unique local holiday shows. It is free to visit, but I encourage you to bring cash for hot chocolate and to support the family that has hosted the event for years. Information is WORD OF MOUTH only. Drive to 555 State Rd S-39-286, Easley, SC 29640 after sunset around a weekend. Donations accepted.
The Sound of Lights: Through December 30, 2017, 6 – 10 PM. Address: 527 Sumter Street, Greenville, SC. Tune into 92.1 FM.
Herbaclaus Lights: Through December 31, 2017, 6 – 10 PM. Address: 230 Northbrook Way, Greenville, SC. Tune into 89.5 FM. Donations accepted for Calvary Children’s Home.
Greenville Griswold’s The Passion of the Lights at Edge Community Church: Through December 31, 2017, 6 – 10 PM. Address: 506 Edwards Road, Greenville SC, The Edge Church campus. Tune into 88.9 FM.
Turner Family Christmas: Through December 26, 2017, 6 – 10 PM. Address: 3932 N. Hwy 101, Greer, SC. Tune to 87.9 FM.
GVL Lights: Through January 1, 2018, Dusk – 10 PM. Address: 208 Wiscasset Way, Greenville, SC. Tune to 104.5 FM.
The Christmas House: Through December 31, 2017, 5:30 – 10 PM. Address: 360 Foster Road, Inman, SC.
Phillips Christmas: Through January 1, 2017, 6 – 10 PM. Address: 103 Crown Empire Court, Simpsonville, SC.
Special Events
Bethlehem Walk, presented by Holston Creek Baptist Church in Inman, SC, is a half-hour walk through an elaborate set of 150 actors in a replica of the streets of Bethlehem. The set includes live animals and over 20 merchant shops. The event is FREE, and runs December 12-14, 2017, 6 – 9:30 PM. More information HERE.
Ice on Main is open now through January 2, 2108. Check the website HERE for updated rink times. Cost is $10 per person, including a skate rental.
Skating on the Big Ice, Presented by Greenville Water: 6 Various Days between Dec 2 – Dec 27, 2017, go to Bon Secours Wellness Arena to ice skate their rink. Bring 5 cans to donate to Harvest Hope Food Bank and receive a free skate rental. Parking is in the VIP lot off Church Street. $8 entry and $3 for skates. For more information call 864-241-3800.
The Festival of Trees, presented by St. Francis is open through December 31, 2017. A sundry of organizations and groups host a tree with themed décor and design. The trees can be viewed for FREE any time and are located in lobbies of the Hyatt Regency Downtown, The Courtyard Marriott Downtown, and the Hampton Inn & Suites Riverplace.
Live Nativity at Augusta Road Baptist Church: The annual event will include stable animals, a reading of the Christmas story, carols and hymns, and a free pancake dinner. Two shows December 16 – 17, 2017, at 6:30 and 7:45 PM. Find more information HERE.
Greenville Santa Run with Greenville Track Club happens December 16, 2017, at 9 AM at the Kroc Center. Find more information HERE.
Christmas Crafts and Campfire at Lake Connestee Nature Park: December 2, 2017, 10 AM – 12 PM. $10 Tickets are available HERE.
Ugly Sweater Crawl: The First Annual Ugly Sweater Crawl in Greenville is December 9, 2017, from 12 PM – 10 PM. Need we say more than new friends, tacky Christmas sweaters, and eggnog? More information is available via the Facebook event HERE.
Ride Santa’s Sleigh down Main Street of downtown Greenville.
Where to See Santa
Safari Santa at the Greenville Zoo: December 2, 2017 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Free with Zoo entry. Some animal enclosures will feature unique trees.
Santa at Haywood Mall, between Macy’s and Belks through Christmas Eve.
Day trips
Christmas Town– McAdenville, North Carolina – A short drive just over the Carolina border offers a city of lights in its 62nd year of community celebration. The 1.3 mile strip of lights shine bright every night December 2 – December 25th, 2017, 5:30 – 9:30 Monday – Friday and 5:30 – 11 PM Saturday and Sunday. It takes about an hour to drive through. Find out more information HERE.
Grove Park Inn annual Gingerbread Contest: The mostly edible structures are many, incredible, and elaborate. The houses remain through the holidays and can be visited and viewed by guests NOT staying within the resort every Sunday in December 2017, 3 PM. Find more information HERE.
Christmas at Biltmore: The Biltmore House is an annual must-see for Greenvillites, but Christmas at the Biltmore is an event in itself. The home and grounds are decorated elaborately through January 7th, 2018. Find more information and tickets available HERE.
Let us know if you attend any of these events and tag your photos with #greenville360. Enjoy the Holiday Season and remember not to get too caught up in the hustle, bustle, and economy-boosting. Spend time with your friends and family to soak up the last few memories of 2017. Happy Holidays from THE AUDREY REEL and GREENVILLE360.
