Ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Greenville? We’ve compiled this list of great events to ring in the New Year and some fun things to do on New Year’s Day. You’ll find noon-time countdowns, free events, parties, special hikes, and more! Happy New Year from all of us at Kidding Around!
“We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!” You may have a plethora of ways to celebrate Christmas with your children, but do you have any ideas for celebrating the New Year in Greenville with your children? And, what do you do with your children on New Year’s Day? We have compiled a list of various options to celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with your children.
Things to Do on New Year’s Eve With Kids
From parties to crafts and noon countdowns, here are several options to help your children celebrate New Years Eve!
Noon Years Eve on Saturday at TCMU-Greenville and Spartanburg from 9 am – 12:30 pm – Included with admission. There will be party hats, time capsules, and confetti poppers. Advance tickets are recommended.
Noon Years Eve Party at the Little Gym from 11:15 am – 12:15 pm – Members are $20/child and non-members are $20/child. Perfect for little kids that includes playtime and a balloon drop. MUST PRE-REGISTER.
Family Fun at Spare Time Entertainment starting at Noon. You can buy a “party” for your family that includes lane and shoe rental, a large pizza and soft drinks, noisemakers, and unlimited bowling. Lane rentals at Noon and the later the time, the most costly the lane rental. Rentals range from $119.99 – $209.99 for a 2.5 hour rental. Reservations are recommended.
Roller Sports NYE Skate in Taylors from 7 pm – 1 am. Price is $15/person and includes a slice of pizza and drink after 11 pm.
Upstate Holiday Light Show– 6 pm – 11 pm – New Years Eve is the last night to take the family to see this spectacular, drive-through light show.
Swamp Rabbits New Year’s Eve & Glow Night – 6 pm – New Years Eve. Go watch and support the Swamp Rabbits for their New Year’s Eve game. There will be glow in the dark jerseys and prizes. And after the game there will be a fireworks show.
New Year’s Eve Early Bird Ball Drop at Magnetic South Brewery – 12 pm – 10 pm on New Year’s Eve. Head to Magnetic South Brewery in Anderson, SC to ring in 2024…early bird style. There will be live music and a ball drop at 9 pm with champagne toast.
Kids $5 Play at Group Therapy all day on New Years Day – Kids ages 12 and under pay just $5 per game at Group Therapy on New Years Day.
Hidden Pastures Unicorn Farm– 11 am to 9 pm on New Year’s Day. See the animals and enjoy the holiday lights. There will also be a food truck and a special move on New Year’s Eve! Tickets are $12-$14.
Things to Do on New Year’s Day in Greenville & Spartanburg
If your children did not stay up on New Year’s Eve, they will probably be ready to go on the first morning of the year. Pick up some breakfast from your favorite local restaurant. Then, go have some fun.
Go hiking!
Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site– 11 am – 1 pm – Take part in a First Day Hike with a self-guided 1.5-mile hike along the Tyger River Trail. Free park admission.
Musgrove Mill State Historic Site – 11 am – 11:45 am. 1 pm – 2:30 pm. Enjoy a self-guided, kid-friendly First Day Hike along the 1-mile British Camp Trail. Admission to the site is free.
Paris Mountain State Park – 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Take a self-guided hike for the First Day Hike at Paris Mountain. Signs at station posts provide activities along the way. Park admission is $6 an adult, $3.50 a child, and free for under 5.
Make Memories at an Amusement Park on New Year’s Day
What about spending the beginning of the New Year at an amusement park? That’s one way to make it memorable!
Dollywood – A favorite destination for the Kidding Around team, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in at Dollywood and in Pigeon Forge.
Carowinds – Conveniently located just over an hour from the Upstate, a visit doesn’t require an overnight stay.
Six Flags – This could be the year you overcome that fear of thrill-rides. The Pandemonium ride at Six Flags would be the amusement ride version of jumping into the deep end of the pool!
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New Year’s in Columbia, SC: Head down toward the Midlands for a heap of additional New Year’s Events, including Capital City Fireworks at midnight.
Looking for a great coffee shop in Greenville, SC? If you’re craving the perfect cup of coffee, espresso, or your favorite coffee-based beverage, this list of local coffee shops near Greenville, SC should have just what you need. Most places on this list offer drip or pour-over coffee, unique specialty lattes, or a fabulous view and relaxing atmosphere to hang out. Each of these Greenville coffee shops is locally owned and unique. No chains here!
We’re pretty sure the best coffee in Greenville, SC is on this list.
Looking for vacation rentals with private indoor pools? We dug in and researched for you because amazing vacation homes with private indoor pools are surprisingly difficult to find and we know they make for wonderful family vacations. These mountain cabins and vacation house rentals are particularly perfect because they all include a private indoor pool.
Your family can enjoy mountain towns and things to do, plus cozy fires, games, and swimming in your own private pool. We think these modest and luxury vacation rentals with private indoor pools make a pretty perfect trip, whether you’re looking for a little vacation away from the crowds, or just some quiet family time together.
Who has the best-decorated house for Christmas this year? You decide! It’s the first Kidding Around Greenville Best Christmas Lights Contest. Go for a drive with one of our FREE holiday light driving tours, then let us know who you think is the best. The winner gets bragging rights for an entire year, so choose carefully.
Take a Sneak Peek
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the houses on our tour this year.
Voting begins December 7th, 2023 and runs through December 21st, 2023.
Editor’s Note: If the voting box does not appear below, please refresh your page and wait a minute or two for the voting box to load. The voting program takes a little bit of time! Thank you!
Does your family love to go hiking? If you are looking for winter hikes near Greenville, SC, you’ve come to the right spot! Here’s where to go hiking around Greenville this winter and what to bring.
Taking your kiddos on a hike in winter may seem like a crazy feat, but if the unpredictable upstate weather is in your favor it can be one of the best times to go. Cooler temperatures bring broader views, a change of scenery, less sweat, and fewer bugs. It makes hiking the tougher trails just a bit easier and also allows you to choose hikes that offer a view, rather than a water feature, as a payoff – something you wouldn’t opt for in the summer months. Get your camera ready and read on for a list of tips to help you and your little troops make the most of your adventure.
Did you know that Greenville & Spartanburg’s fire departments have an honorary team member who lives in the North Pole? It’s true, and seeing Santa on a firetruck in Greenville, SC, and Spartanburg, SC has solidified a tradition for many families. Santa will visit close to 80 neighborhoods around the Upstate by firetruck, spreading Christmas joy!
He’s really busy this time of year, so the most efficient way to get a last peek at all of the good boys and girls of the Upstate is to hitch a ride with first responders and zip through neighborhoods. Reindeer magic only works at night, in case you were wondering, so this is the best way!
If you are celebrating the holidays on a budget and are looking for free things to do for Christmas, Spartanburg, SC has a few that are wonderful! The holidays can be a financially stressful time for a lot of families. Finding festive activities to enjoy that are free and low-cost can help when you are trying to keep the kids occupied during winter break.
Kids need something to do over winter break near Greenville, SC? In your rush to shop, wrap gifts, prepare for the holidays, are you thinking about what your kids are going to do with all of their free time? No? Well, no worries because we’re doing it for you.
We have compiled a list of Winter Camps offered around Greenville that might be just what you need and we’ll keep updating it throughout the holiday season. With so many fun Winter Camps happening all around town there’s no reason for your kids to be complaining that they’re bored during their break from school. And, P.S., you get a break too. Perfect!
One Kidding Around Greenville reader will win 4 FREE TICKETS to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Greenville Theatre! Scroll down to enter. Giveaway ends November 28, 2023.
Greenville Theatre is excited to transport audiences into a world of “Pure Imagination” this holiday season with the regional premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Audiences will be swept away into the eccentric world of Willy Wonka as they follow Charlie Bucket and the other golden ticket winners into his extraordinary chocolate factory. This brand-new Broadway adaptation is based on the classic Roald Dahl book and hit films. Featuring beloved songs like “The Candy Man,” “Pure Imagination,” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” in addition to brand new songs written by the team that brought audiences the musical Hairspray, this show is the perfect holiday gift for the whole Family! This magical cast is led by Carter Allen as Willy Wonka, Mathew Molina and Juni Martin as Charlie Bucket, with Neil Shurley as Grandpa Joe and Mary Evan Giles as Mrs. Bucket. The show is Co- Directed by Max Quinlan and Drew Whitley with choreography by Fawn Clark.
“In my youth, I became enamored with the Roald Dahl books, and was especially drawn to “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” described Willy Wonka actor Carter Allen. “The idea of an eccentric recluse who has a whole world of pure imagination and possibilities intrigued me. I cannot wait for audiences to experience this show at Greenville Theatre. I also love family shows like this because it is inevitable that in every audience there will be someone coming to their first ever live show. The ability to bring the magic of this type of storytelling to a whole new group of people every day is a true gift.”
Chance To Get Your Very Own Golden Ticket
Not only will audiences get to experience this incredible show, but they will have the opportunity to purchase their very own chocolate Wonka Bar. At each performance, one lucky winner will find their very own “Greenville Theatre Golden Ticket” inside! The winner will get an exclusive backstage tour of Greenville Theatre’s “factory” from Willy Wonka himself, Carter Allen, complete with a photo on stage!
Run Time: 2.5hrs (15 minute intermission between acts) Age Recommendation: ages 4+ Ticket Price: $40 | Seniors & Veterans $38
One Kidding Around reader will win 4 FREE TICKETS to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Greenville Theatre! Giveaway runs Nov 21st – Nov 28th, 2023, 11:59PM. Good luck!
You must be 18 or older and live in the USA to enter this giveaway.
You must use a valid email address to enter this giveaway.
One entry per person per day.
We will contact the winner via the email address provided within three [3] days of the giveaway ending. The winner will have three [3] days (72 hours) to respond via email. If the winner does not respond within the three [3] days (72 hours), the prize will be forfeited and another winner chosen. Directions for claiming the prize will be given via email. A valid photo ID and/or mailing address may be required.
For a complete list of Kidding Around Greenville SC’s giveaway policies and terms and conditions, see the Kidding Around Greenville SC policy page. By entering this giveaway, you agree to comply with Kidding Around Greenville SC’s terms and conditions.
If you have issues with the giveaway not appearing, please email sara@kiddingaroundgreenville.com.
With more than four million lights, the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights at Speedway Christmas in Concord, NC is one of the biggest in the country and we’re here for it!
Thanks to Explore Cabarrus for media tickets and an overnight at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Concord so we could review the experience for our readers. All opinions are our own.
Speedway Christmas Presented by Atrium Health is unique in that you get to drive your own car on the racetrack that is normally driven on by professional NASCAR drivers. Unfortunately, your mini-van will be going at a snail’s pace, but it’s still pretty cool. On the four-mile drive-thru course, visitors get to view displays consisting of over four million lights! The Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights are easily one of the biggest displays in the country and there is just so much to see.
The Speedway is about an hour and 45 minutes from Greenville so if you want to stay overnight nearby, we’ve got just the place to do so at the Embassy Suites in Concord. Read on for the full review.
The Completely Epic Light Display with the Speedway Christmas Lights
There are four miles of more than four million lights at the Speedway Christmas. I’ve been to most of the Christmas light drive-through shows in our area so had a decent idea of what to expect but I can say with confidence that I was wrong. This light show is just unreal with so many cool surprises that it kept my kids and me enamored the whole time. For 2023, you get to see some awesome beach-themed displays in celebration of the theme, A Christmas Beach Party.
Entering the Racetrack for the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas Lights
Once you get past the gate, you’ll go right onto the massive track. I had to squash the urge to floor it because really, how many times do you get to drive on a real racetrack? I did no flooring and went very slow with my headlights off like the other drivers, which is exactly what you need to do, so pay attention.
You will follow along with a string of red or blue lights, so you don’t have to worry about taking a wrong turn. If you’re behind someone going super slow, there are several places to pass cars if you want to do that. The speedway also recommends that slower traffic stay to the right, so those who want to go a little faster through the light show can pass on the left.
The First Section of Lights
There are three different areas of the light display but they all sync up to Christmas music that you listen to through your car radio. The first section is more of a fun light display with Santa doing funny things. As you enter the racetrack, you will see lots of animated displays following the theme. Wakeboarding Santa, Penguins splashing into a pool, Santa cruising on a boat with his reindeer friends shooting a canon of light, just to name a few.
The Second Section of Lights
The second section is a massive display of flashing lights from the bottom of the Speedway up through the seating area. This is where you will begin driving through a couple of light tunnels. You will also see the synchronized light displays with giant Christmas trees matching the beat of the songs coming from your 101.3FM radio channel with the LED light displays along the bleachers. This was probably my kid’s favorite part of the drive because of how many lights were dancing to the music.
The Final Section of Lights
The third and final section is tunnels full of lights – it’s super cool. As you leave the infield Christmas Village, you get to drive through the last portion of the lights display, which honestly, was my personal favorite. You will come across an area where you can pull off and look over all the lights, which was really neat to see.
You will also go through several light tunnels. The tunnels were done so well, and each one is unique in shape and color display. You also get to see some really unique animated and stationary light displays! Our favorites were the two astronauts, a ballerina pig, and a snowman being built through animation.
The entire light show took us around 45 minutes to drive through if you choose not to stop at the Christmas Village.
The Christmas Village at the Speedway
Once you go through the bulk of the park, you will be guided to the infield parking lot. Here, you have the option to stop at the Christmas Village and/or see the drive-in movie playing.
The Christmas Village has a lot to do! The arches of lights, giant illuminated snowflakes, and “snow bubbles” that release a puff of smoke when they pop were some of my young daughter’s favorites. They also have a really cool FREE 360-camera experience for 2023. Your family stands on a platform as a camera zooms around you three times, giving you a unique holiday memory to enjoy!
Indoor Activities: Santa and More
The indoor section of the Christmas Village has two unique mazes, Christmas crafts at the elf village, vendors, decorated Christmas trees, and the opportunity to take photos with Santa. Santa was really kind, and your child can choose to stand or sit beside him. They even offer a little stool in case a parent needs to kneel down to keep their kids from getting nervous before rattling off this Christmas list. Pictures with Santa start at $10 for 1 photo.
Outdoor Food Court
The food truck lane has a lot of vendors with everything from Gyros to hot apple cider. One of the cooler food court stalls is the kettlecorn popcorn guy. My kids (and husband) enjoyed watching him flip the giant popcorn maker and reveal the sweet goodness that is delicious kettle corn. Plus, his stall has a little train engine on top that blows smoke every once in a while, which made us giggle.
We ended our food court adventure by purchasing some marshmallows to roast by the fire. We rocked in the rocking chairs, ate marshmallows drank cider, and just enjoyed the vibes. Afterwards, we visited the reindeer (animated, but so adorable!) for the kids to pet. They are super soft and look so real!
Drive-In Movie
And then, perhaps my favorite thing – a drive-in movie. The Speedway makes use of one of its huge screens to show different holiday movies. You can park your car facing the screen, tune your radio to the channel dedicated to the movie, eat some popcorn, and watch the movie. My kids wanted to sit in the car and watch the film so that’s what I let them do because #Christmas. They thought it was really neat.
Here’s the movie schedule for 2023:
November 17-19: “Christmas Vacation”
November 23-26: “The Grinch” presented by Bojangles
November 30-Dec 3: Classic Christmas shorts presented by Food Lion
December 7-10: “White Christmas” presented by Cook Out
December 14-19: “Elf” presented by AutoBell
December 20-23: “Polar Express” presented by Cook Out
December 28-31: “Home Alone”
There are also bathrooms right inside the Christmas Village as well as directly next to the drive-in movie, which is really nice since the route does take a while to drive.
The Christmas Village is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Tips to Enjoy the Speedway Christmas
Knowing what to expect helps everyone enjoy the lights.
Wait Times
Because this is such a hugely popular attraction, the wait may be long. This can be said of most holiday light events anywhere during the holiday season. Make sure everyone has taken a bathroom break before heading towards the Speedway and have snacks on hand. In past years, the wait times have gotten up to more than two hours.
We went on opening night for the 2023 season right when they opened at 6 pm and while we were able to skip the lines with an Express Lane pass thanks to Explore Cabarrus, we did pass the main entrance and there was hardly a line.
On busy nights, the express pass will save you about an hour of that two-hour wait. The Express Lane has a different entrance (5197 Morehead Road, Concord) than the Main Gate and there are signs indicating where you need to go.
Visiting Monday through Wednesday is suggested because attendance will be at its lowest on those days.
Bathrooms
The Speedway has set up port-a-potties along the route for guests to use if they need to. You do need to remain in your car while driving but there is plenty of room to pull over for these bathrooms if you need. You will also find clean bathrooms at the Christmas Village.
Pets
Pets are allowed but they must stay in your car the entire time, including if you choose to visit the Christmas Village
Purchasing Tickets
Guests have the option to purchase tickets ahead of time online at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s website but they also have passes available at the gate. The tickets you purchase online must be used on the date you choose so if you’re not sure when you’re going, you can just purchase your ticket at the gate. Stay tuned to the website to be notified of any closures due to bad weather.
Dress for the Weather
The light show obviously happens during the colder winter months so dress for the weather with jackets, hats, and gloves, especially if you want to go to the Christmas Village, much of which is outdoors.
Tickets for Speedway Christmas
Ticket prices range from $35-$45 per car depending on when you go. General admission tickets are typically $35 Monday through Wednesday, and $45 Thursday through Sunday night are more expensive.
On Thursdays through Sundays, there is also an express lane option for $75. If you have more than 15 people in your vehicle, you’ll be paying the van and bus rate of $140 to $175.
While Monday through Wednesday visits are cheaper, remember that the Christmas Village is not open on these days. The exception is December 18th through the 20th, 2023 when the village will be open and tickets will be at the regular $45 price.
Speedway Christmas runs from Friday, November 17, 2023, through January 7th, 2024.
Honest Mom Review of Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas Lights
My kids and I just loved this light show. It was almost overwhelming how many lights there were at the Speedway Christmas. I kept thinking, “How long did all of this take to set up?”! It is very well done and obvious the organizers take great pride in the light display and making sure it’s top-notch.
For kids who may have sensory issues, the light show may be a little much in some parts. I thought the Christmas Village and drive-in movie was a great rest stop to just hang out and enjoy the atmosphere before heading out to the last part of the show. And staying nearby at the Embassy Suites was fantastic. I didn’t need to worry about driving home late at night and my kids could enjoy the pool before bed. We were at the light show in its entirety – driving and the Christmas Village – about an hour and a half total.
Cabarrus, North Carolina
We think spending a day in Cabarrus, North Carolina is a great day trip. We’ve had several of our writers spend a lot of time there and have stories on some of the fun things to do in Cabarrus County, NC. You can spend the day there or make it a weekend with a stay in the Great Wolf Lodge, another favorite destination for us, here at Kidding Around. Regardless of the length of your trip, we think the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s light display should be on your itinerary.
Lodging in Concord near the Speedway
Embassy Suites in Concord
Explore Cabarrus sent us to stay at the lovely Embassy Suites in Concord in 2022 right off I-85 and five minutes from the Speedway. I’ve stayed at Embassy Suites in the past and always like them for their spacious rooms, free breakfasts, and great amenities.
The room we had was a one-bedroom suite with a living space area, full bathroom, and a bedroom with a closed door. The beds were comfortable and there was plenty of space for my two kids and I. But this could easily fit a family of five even since the couch in the living space area is a pullout.
The free breakfast in the morning was a hit with my kids. They had pancakes, eggs, French toast, yogurt, cereal, toast, biscuits and gravy, fruit, and a made-to-order omelet and waffle station. They also had coffee, tea, and juice.
This Embassy Suites also had a heated indoor pool, which my kids enjoyed after we went to the light show. It was a great way to wind down the night.
Homewood Suites By Hilton Concord/Charlotte
For our visit in 2023, Explore Cabbarus sent us to Homewood Suites by Hilton, located right beside the Embassy Suites. This lovely hotel is located right off of 1-85 and is only a 5-minute drive from the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights. It is also close to tons of options for dining.
The hotel check-in was a breeze, and all the staff we interacted with were extremely helpful and kind. Our room was very clean, and even smelled good when we entered (that is always a good sign!) Our room was a suite, with a kitchen and living room, with a separate bedroom with double queen beds. The separate bedroom really helped us out because were able to put the kids down to bed, and then rest in the living room. We were very happy that the hotel was clean, quiet, and close to everything we would need.
The hotel offers free breakfast in the morning, which my husband took full advantage of. We had fresh waffles from the “make your own” waffle station, a mix of fruit, sausage patties, delicious muffins, cheesy omelets, orange juice, and fresh coffee.
Other Lodging
If you need another place to stay near the Speedway, you can see the map below. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
There’s a lot to do in Concord and the Speedway Christmas show is a great way to end a day or weekend trip to Cabarrus County!
Have you made it out to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights? What was your favorite part?