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
Trailblazer Park’s annual Harvest Fest goes full Halloween! Enjoy trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, bounce houses, live music from Pickens Creek Band and Luke Deuce, food and drinks, and a costume parade — fun for the whole family.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Trailblazer Park, 235 Trailblazer Drive, Travelers Rest, SC 29690
👉 Read more
Trick or Treat with the llamas of Ellaberry! This is bound to be a memorable evening. Wear your costumes
The Annual Trick or Treat Down Main Street returns to Pickens! Local businesses set up candy stations along Main Street (Ann Street to Catherine Street) for a frightfully fun afternoon for families throughout the community.
Free Admission – RSVP For Tickets
Join us from 5 to 7 pm for the friendliest, freakiest family-friendly party in town. Trick-or-treat your way through the Studio, stop by the craft tables, and let your little monster take the mic at Scaraoke, our version of Halloween karaoke where kids perform live in a virtual spooky scene. In the Listening Room, the Monster Mash starts at 5:30, including an interactive dance party, costume contest and glow dancing in the dark.
5:00 – 7:00 pm Halloween Activities
Trick-or-treat Stations
Scaraoke: Halloween karaoke for kids
Halloween Craft Tables
Photo Vignette
5:30 – 7:00 pm Monster Mash
Live hosted dance party
Costume Contest: Best Individual, Best Family, Most Creative
Glow dancing in the dark
Snacks and drinks available for sale.
Free admission. RSVP (adults and kids) so we can save you a spot!
Trunk or Treat at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church!
4180 SC-9, Boiling Springs, SC
Join us for a spook-tacular evening of family-friendly fun on Saturday, October 31st from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the main church parking lot.
We’re excited to welcome back our special guests:
🫏 The Long-Eared Ambassadors – bringing adorable animals for the kids to pet.
🚒 The Boiling Springs Fire Department – always a hit with the little ones!
Bring the kids in their best Halloween costumes to stroll from trunk to trunk, collecting treats from festively decorated cars.
This is a safe, fun-filled evening for the whole family.
We can’t wait to see you there! 👻✨
Join us for a fun and safe evening filled with hotdogs, hay rides, candy, and fun.
Victor Baptist Church
121 New Woodruff Rd
Greer, SC 29651
Bring the whole family to Habitat for Humanity Spartanburg’s 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat! Enjoy free Halloween fun with hot dogs, popcorn, face painting and plenty of treats while supplies last.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Habitat for Humanity Spartanburg, 2270 S Pine St, Spartanburg, SC 29302
👉 Read more
★ FeaturedHave a child turning 6 years old in Greenville or Laurens County this month? Head to Pepsi of Greenville to pick up the birthday kids’ very own FREE Pepsi birthday party pack! This week only, your birthday kid can receive:
– 12 Pepsi Cans
– 12 Pepsi Balloons (not inflated)
– 12 Pepsi Pencils
– 12 Pepsi Tattoos
– A Pepsi party birthday certificate
Bring your child’s birth certificate to the Pepsi of Greenville office located at 751 State Park Road, Greenville, SC 29609.
– Pepsi Party Packs are available the month of or the month after your child’s 6th birthday.
– The Party Packs are available during the first full week of the month between 1–5 pm, M-F.
– Park in front of the building and enter through the front office.
Click Here to Find The Exact Dates Each Month Plus What You’ll Find in Your Prize Pack
Storytime is for children ages 2-5. STEM Storytime will be on the first and third Wednesday of the month in 2026. Updates will be on the Spartanburg Science Center’s Facebook or website.
https://www.spartanburgsciencecenter.org/stem-storytime/
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!
In partnership with the Spartanburg Philharmonic, SCPL is proud to present Music Sandwiched In featuring Spartanburg High School Chorus. Bring your own lunch or there will be a limited number of boxed lunches available for purchase from Jason’s Deli. Doors to the Barrett Room will open at 11:45 a.m., 30 minutes before the program starts at 12:15 p.m. Tables and chairs are first come, first served. Please refrain from bringing heating equipment or hot liquids for lunch when attending.
Travel back in time as we learn about those fascinating, extinct creatures called dinosaurs. We will crack open dino eggs, make dino fossil impressions and more. Materials available to the first 30 participants. This activity is most suitable for the 6-12 age group.
Paint what you’re thankful for on a rock to take home. Ages 6–12.
Grab lawn chairs and blankets for First Fridays: Movies in the Park at Trailblazer Park! This month’s showing is Fantastic Mr. Fox, starting at dusk. Come early to explore downtown Travelers Rest and grab a bite before the movie begins.
★ FeaturedFamilies walk together to simulate the daily trek millions of women and children make to collect water, raising funds to bring safe water to 1,500 people in need.
It’s a meaningful, hands-on way to introduce kids to global water issues, with a dedicated kids’ page for young walkers and options to join a team, volunteer, or start a church group.
Register: https://walkforwater.rallybound.org/2026-greenville-walk-for-water
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Event opens at 9 a.m.
Walk begins at 10 a.m.
Fretwell Market is a monthly, pet-friendly community market held on the Fretwell Lawn in Spartanburg. Shoppers can browse local vendors offering seasonal food and drinks, handmade goods, artisan crafts, and unique gifts. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly way to support local makers and enjoy a Saturday morning near the Rail Trail. The market takes place on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM.
👉Learn more here> Fretwell Market January | Fretwell Spartanburg
2026 Market Dates: January 3, February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 4, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5
Home Depot Kids Workshops happen on the first Saturday of every month from 9 AM–12 PM, offering free, hands-on building projects for kids with all supplies included (kit, tools, paint, apron, and instructions). Each month features a new themed project kids can build and take home, plus they’ll earn a collectible pin and certificate.
Find this event at your local Home Depot
👉Learn more about the upcoming Home Depot Kids Workshops
First Saturday of the month Other Lands has crafts, snacks, and rotating themed activities.
You can view their calendar on their webpage – https://www.otherlandsbrew.com/weekly-calendar
Story-based performance with dancers from the International Ballet. Families welcome
Join the Clemson University Symphony Orchestra on the Village Green at Patrick Square in Clemson, South Carolina, for Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved musical tale, Peter and the Wolf, featuring special guest narrator Provost Cole Smith.
This family-friendly concert introduces audiences to the instruments of the orchestra through a timeless story brought to life by music. Arrive early for pre-concert activities hosted by the City of Clemson Arts Center and Trudel Music Studio, including mask making, an instrument petting zoo and a Kindermusik session. After the concert, stay for Trudel Music Studio students’ November Recital.
Schedule
10 a.m. | Mask making and instrument petting zoo
10:15 a.m. | Kindermusik session on the Village Green
11 a.m. | Peter and the Wolf performed by the Clemson University Symphony Orchestra, with special guest narrator Provost Cole
Trudel Music Studio’s November Recital to follow.
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!
FREE TO THE PUBLIC!
Join us for our Autumn Vendor Market! There will be over 50 vendors set up OUTSIDE, wrapping around the building! There will also be delicious food trucks to grab lunch from, a beverage trailer, bounce house, a highland cow petting zoo AND MORE! You don’t want to miss this awesome event and opportunity to support your local businesses and get a head start on holiday shopping!
🗓️ When? Saturday, November 7th 2026
⏰ Time? 11 AM until 3 PM
📍 Where? Westside Market Greenville located at 3510 Augusta Road Greenville, SC
Event is rain or shine (but will be reassessed if dangerous weather is in the forecast)
Story-based performance with dancers from the International Ballet. Families welcome
★ FeaturedCelebrate fall at Hampton Park Baptist Church’s free Harvest Happening, featuring carnival games, cookie decorating, touch-a-truck, bounce houses, hayrides, and face painting for the whole family.
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