What’s Happening for Free: Family Events in the Upstate
Looking for fun and free events happening in and around Greenville? You’re in the right place! This list is updated almost daily with local events where your family can play, explore, and make memories — without opening your wallet. From outdoor concerts and storytimes to seasonal festivals and community celebrations, these events are easy to enjoy and perfect for all ages.
Bookmark this list and check back often — we’re always adding new ways to have fun for free!
Free Events
Oktoberfest at The Landing is back September 19–October 11!
Join us at Saluda Lake Landing for four weekends of authentic German food, a full lineup of fall beers and Oktoberfest fun by the water. With German roots behind the menu, you can expect more than just pretzels and beer—come hungry and ready to try something special.
The Landing will be decorated Oktoberfest-style throughout the event, with plenty happening every weekend:
Fridays: Karaoke from 6–9 PM
Saturdays & Sundays: Live music from 5–8 PM
Oktoberfest will be held during our regular fall hours:
Thursday: 12–8 PM
Friday: 12–9 PM
Saturday: 8 AM–9 PM
Sunday: 10 AM–8 PM
Admission is free, but reserving a free ticket is recommended so we know you’re coming.
Want to make a full lake day out of it? Watercraft rentals will also be available and can be reserved in advance at www.saludalakelanding.com.
Bring your family, bring your pup and come enjoy German food, fall beer, live music and Oktoberfest by the lake.
Saluda Lake Landing
605 Motor Boat Club Road
Greenville, SC 29611
When: Thursday, Oct. 8 – Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026
Thursday Kickoff Concert: 5–10 p.m.
Friday: Noon–10 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sunday: Noon–7 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Downtown Greenville (Augusta Street to East North Street)
Cost: Free admission; food, drinks and kids’ activities purchased separately
Description:
Greenville’s biggest block party returns for its 45th year! Graze your way down Main Street with 60 local restaurants serving 300+ menu items, and catch a record 92 bands across seven free stages. Little ones can head to the WOW! Fiber Kids’ Area on East Broad Street for their own corner of the fun. The festival is ticketless, so bring a credit or debit card (or a festival gift card) to pay at vendor booths.
Pro Tip: Saturday opens earliest at 11 a.m. Arrive right at opening for lighter crowds with kids, and check the interactive festival map before you go to find the Kids’ Area, restrooms and your must-try booths.
Website: fallforgreenville.net
Join Spartanburg History for FREE monthly tours of the historic Seay House, the oldest home in the City of Spartanburg. The Seay House is only open to the public for these free tours from 11 am to 4 pm on the second Saturday of every month.
Find out more on the SCHA webpage for the Seay House.
FREE ADMISSION
Join us for our Fall Festival 2026
There will be over 50 craft vendor booths to shop from, delicious food trucks, a bounce house, tractor rides, a trick or treat trail from the vendor tents, a mobile petting zoo with mini highland cows and MORE! You don’t want to miss this fun, family friendly Fall event!
Over 100 local makers, artisans, and small businesses come together at Drayton Mills Marketplace for a festive fall outdoor market. Browse unique finds, grab a bite from food vendors, and enjoy family-friendly activities in Spartanburg’s beloved mill village setting. Free admission and free parking make this an easy afternoon out!
Join the Barnes & Noble – The Shops at Greenridge in store this weekend, dressed in your favorite Halloween costume, for a LEGO Halloween themed mini build event; dressing up is optional. This event is perfect for ages 10+ and LEGO enthusiasts of all ages are welcome! Kits are limited. Contact their store for more information on how to reserve a spot for this event.
Join the Barnes & Noble – Haywood Road in store this weekend, dressed in your favorite Halloween costume, for a LEGO Halloween themed mini build event; dressing up is optional. This event is perfect for ages 10+ and LEGO enthusiasts of all ages are welcome! Kits are limited. Contact their store for more information on how to reserve a spot for this event.
In the intimate setting of a small music hall, Foothills Brass players take the stage to reveal the range of brass instruments from crisp to warm – bright to mellow – powerful to tender. And yes, brass players can make you weep. It’s a chance to experience how talented Foothills musicians are.
Everyone is invited to visit the art displayed at the Gallery before or after the concert. This classically casual concert, art gallery and parking are – absolutely FREE!
Mark your calendar for this completely FREE God’s Closet Shop Day! On October 11 from 9:30 AM to 1 PM, parents, grandparents, and other caregivers can “shop” at no cost for children’s clothing—sizes newborn through teen. No documentation or proof of need is required. Just sign up at spartanburgsda.com/gc, then come ready to shop and leave with the clothes your growing kids need. The process is simple, practical, and organized. We recommend coming early as the line can get long. We can’t wait to see you there!
When: Thursday, Oct. 8 – Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026
Thursday Kickoff Concert: 5–10 p.m.
Friday: Noon–10 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sunday: Noon–7 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Downtown Greenville (Augusta Street to East North Street)
Cost: Free admission; food, drinks and kids’ activities purchased separately
Description:
Greenville’s biggest block party returns for its 45th year! Graze your way down Main Street with 60 local restaurants serving 300+ menu items, and catch a record 92 bands across seven free stages. Little ones can head to the WOW! Fiber Kids’ Area on East Broad Street for their own corner of the fun. The festival is ticketless, so bring a credit or debit card (or a festival gift card) to pay at vendor booths.
Pro Tip: Saturday opens earliest at 11 a.m. Arrive right at opening for lighter crowds with kids, and check the interactive festival map before you go to find the Kids’ Area, restrooms and your must-try booths.
Website: fallforgreenville.net
Crafts, coloring, and games for ages 6-12.
Create a work of art by a virtual fireplace. Ages 6-12.
Create colorful collages for fall. Ages 6-12.
Dust off your dance moves — Thriller rehearsals kick off Oct 6, leading up to performances at Falls Park and TD Saturday Market this Halloween season.
Thriller Rehearsals & Performances
Rehearsals:
- Oct 6 at 6:00pm
- Oct 13 at 6:00pm
- Oct 20 at 6:00pm
All rehearsals at KROC Greenville
Performances:
- Oct 29 at Falls Park — 4:30pm
- Oct 31 at TD Saturday Market — 9:15am
A third performance is being finalized — details to come
Register / learn more: https://www.dancecollab.org/events
Language we have to include for grant purposes: Thriller is funded in part by the Metropolitan Arts Council which receives support from the City of Greenville, MVW Manufacturing Company, SEW Eurodrive, and the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Bring your littles to the front steps of M. Judson for our twice-weekly story time! Enjoy some wonderful picture books read aloud to the crowd by our very own booksellers, and children will even get a sweet treat to go. If you catch them on a rainy day or cold day, storytime is held inside in the children’s section toward the back of the store. Keep up with changes to the schedule here> Book Store & Coffee Shop in Downtown Greenville Check out our Review of Storytime on the Steps at M. Judson Booksellers!
Ages 9-12 are invited to explore conservation and the history of the National Parks.
🎟️ Cost: Free.
📍 Location: 25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville, SC 29601
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Ages 9-12
Family night just got better! Kids eat free after 5pm with participating vendors and a kid’s movie on the big screen starting at 6pm. Showing tonight is Coco.
Spooky night of video games, a costume contest, crafts, and music in the Teen Hub. Ages 12-18 / grades 7-12 only.
Grab a blanket and settle in for a free outdoor screening of Coco at the Moonlight Movies series in Falls Park! Showings run Thursday evenings through September and October, with Poppington’s Gourmet Popcorn available each week.
Starts at DUSK
📍 Location: Falls Park on the Reedy, 301 South Main Street, Greenville, SC
👉 Read more
FALL-ELUJAH it’s back for the SIXTH year in a row— the Annual Fall Festival! It’s the perfect setting around Greenville to celebrate everyone’s favorite time of year with food, wine, shopping, and more!
FREE admission & parking
Live music all weekend long
Food & dessert vendors
30+ local vendors each day
Wine by the glass, bottle, and flight available + wine specials
Family & pup friendly
Trunk-or-Treat will kick off at the World of Energy from 6–7:30 p.m. This free, community-sponsored event is a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to enjoy a fun fall tradition together. Kids can look forward to face painting, pumpkin painting, games, and more throughout the evening.
Immediately following Trunk-or-Treat, they’ll be screening a movie under the stars on the World of Energy lawn, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs and blankets! A local food truck will be on-site and available for purchase before the movie begins. Admission, parking, popcorn and water are free.
Celebrating the harvest in Lincoln County since 1972, this is the largest festival in Lincolnton, drawing roughly 80,000 visitors each October.
It features local apple growers, a farmer’s market, local talent on two stages, and foods including whole apple pies, along with kids’ activities and more.
Free to attend, no pets allowed.
Each Saturday morning from early May through late October, two blocks of downtown Greenville’s Main Street are transformed into the TD Saturday Market, a vibrant open-air marketplace in the heart of the city.
The market features more than 75 vendors offering seasonal produce, prepared foods, and handcrafted goods, creating a lively community gathering space every week.
LEARN MORE HERE 🥕 Greenville Saturday Market, SC – Official Website | Official Website
Find special market happenings each week right here > Market Happenings | Greenville Saturday Market, SC – Official Website
Check for cancellations and special events on the TD Saturday Market Instagram
What to Expect
- Fresh, seasonal produce from farms located within 100 miles of Greenville
- Locally produced and prepared food items
- Handmade crafts and artisan goods
- Vendors encouraged to use locally sourced materials for crafts
Experience
The TD Saturday Market draws thousands of visitors each week who come to shop, explore, and connect with local growers, makers, and artisans in a welcoming downtown setting.
Why Visit
It’s a long-standing Greenville tradition that highlights local agriculture, craftsmanship, and community. The market offers a chance to experience the best of the region in one place every Saturday morning.
Did you love this list? There’s a lot more to explore.
- Free Things to Do in the Upstate: a list of great things to do that are free or very cheap
- Find more family-friendly events on our Kidding Around Greenville Calendar