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
★ FeaturedJoin us for Shriners Children’s Greenville’s 7th Annual Turkey Trot and Roll Fall Festival on Saturday, November 14. Bring your family and friends to join the Family Fun Walk, challenge yourselves in the 5K run or simply enjoy the festive activities at this fun-filled community event.
Every dollar raised supports Shriners Children’s Greenville and ensures kids with orthopedic conditions receive world-class care, regardless of a family’s ability to pay or insurance status.
Fall Festival: The Fall Festival is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free to attend. There will be fun for the whole family, including festival games, bounce houses, food, beverages and more.
5K Timed Run: The 5K run is chip-timed, and registration is $30. The race officially starts at 9 a.m.
Family Fun Walk: The Family Fun Walk kicks off at 11 a.m. and is free to attend!
Fundraising: Raise funds and win exciting prizes from Shriners Children’s Greenville. Get the fundraising toolkit to get started.
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All aboard the Holiday Express! Mini builders create their own Holiday Engine train, complete with festive flair. Registration is required, with four 10 am–1 pm session slots.
Story-based performance with dancers from the International Ballet. Families welcome. ** Numbered tickets are free and required for admission. Tickets can be obtained no more than 90 minutes before the event. Limit one ticket per person.
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!
The JCPenney Kids Zone events happen once a month on the second Saturday of the month at participating stores. They are totally free crafts that kids and parents can just grab and take home to complete or find a space in the store to complete it right there.
If you are looking for what to expect at the 🔗JC Penney Kids Zone we have that covered for you.
JC Penney Kids Zone Website
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.
Story-based performance with dancers from the International Ballet. Families welcome. ** Numbered tickets are free and required for admission. Tickets can be obtained no more than 90 minutes before the event. Limit one ticket per person. Entry is not guaranteed.
In the quiet space of a beautiful church sanctuary, Foothills will wrap you in the embrace of a single voice. It’s a chance to experience how talented individual Foothills musicians are.
This Classically Casual Concert, Reception and Parking are – absolutely FREE!
Shop local vendors, enjoy delicious food trucks, and let the kids play in the FREE kids zone at this monthly pop-up market in downtown Inman.
Find Market on Mill on Facebook to confirm details and find the latest news on any changes to the schedule.
Learn how natural selection and adaptations play a large role in the survival of animals and meet some animal ambassadors from the Science Center. Space is available to the first 30 participants. This activity is most suitable for the 6-12 age group. Please register in advance starting Monday, November 9. Registration may be required.
Grab your instrument and come on down for a hootin’ hollerin’ good time! Join Bluegrass Spartanburg in partnership with SCPL for an acoustic jam open to all ages. A bluegrass jam is an informal, moderately structured, and collaborative ensemble performance of instrumental and vocal musicians. Participants are usually seated in a circle so that visual cues and other communication can be made. Various bluegrass repertoire can be played, with each musician having an opportunity to play/sing the lead melody during each song, and each musician having an opportunity to select a song and direct/lead the group through that song. Any interested musician age 7 or older can participate in the jam as an instrumentalist or a vocalist. Musicians should bring their own instruments to play, such as a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, upright bass, and dobro. Some songbooks are available to help participants learn frequently played songs. Participants who love bluegrass, but don’t want to play, are free to come and enjoy the music.
Popular books come to life through trivia, crafts, and games for ages 9–12.
Read with a giant stuffie! Practice reading skills and get literacy tips through this interactive reading workshop for children ages 6–8 and their caregivers.
Paint what you’re thankful for on a rock to take home. Ages 6–12.
Bring in your favorite picture and personalize a beautiful frame with your creative touch. This activity is most suitable for the 6-12 age group. Materials available to the first 15 participants.
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!
Create using LEGO®, blocks, magnets, and more . Ages 6–12.
Ages 6–12. Join the library for a free program for kids and families.
Families welcome to play games, make crafts, and hang out with friends.
Families welcome to play games, make crafts, and hang out with friends.
Kids will learn important fire safety tips, including how to create an escape plan, practice “Stop, Drop, and Roll,” and discover what to do if they hear a smoke alarm. This fun and educational program helps children become fire safety heroes at home and in their communities. This activity is most suitable for ages 6-12. Space is available for the first 35 participants.
Ages 9–12 are invited to unlock the secrets of codes, signals, and invisible ink.
The Greenville Symphony Orchestra’s Annual Children’s Concerts are free to all public school classes, homeschool families, and Co-Ops. Please know that no paper tickets will be issued; once you fill out the sign-up form, you have reserved your seats! Peace Center ushers will check you off the sign-up list and seat groups together as they arrive.
Ages 5 & under are invited to celebrate friendship and thankfulness during this special hour.
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