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
Catch Elf (rated PG) for free at NCG Cinema Spartanburg’s Holiday Free Film Fest! Buddy, raised as an elf at the North Pole, heads to New York City to find his family and save Christmas.
🎟️ Cost: Free (reserve free tickets in advance)
📍 Location: NCG Cinema Spartanburg, 1985 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307
👉 Read more
Here’s the full list of movies and times: NCG Holiday Film Fest.
Greer Farmers Market Presents 2-Day Christmas Festival at Greer City Park
December 5 & 6 , 2026 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Greer City Park
Greer, SC – The Greer Farmers Market, in partnership with the City of Greer, is proud to present its annual Christmas Market on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the beautiful Greer City Park (301 E Poinsett St, Greer, SC 29651).
This beloved two-day holiday festival will feature over 65 farmers, makers, and bakers, as well as local food trucks, live music, and children’s activities. Families and friends are invited to shop for unique holiday gifts, enjoy festive treats, and celebrate the season in the heart of Downtown Greer.
Children’s activities include crafts, bounce house (weather permitting), and free $5 produce vouchers for kids through our POP Club Programs.
Set against the backdrop of Greer City Park’s 12-acre tree canopy, the market offers visitors paved sidewalks, a playground, fountains, open fields, shuttle service, and convenient amenities including restrooms. Guests can enjoy the festive atmosphere while supporting local businesses and farmers.
The Christmas Festival is part of a larger slate of seasonal celebrations across Greer. To explore more holiday festivities happening in town, visit discovergreer.com.
About the Greer Farmers Market
Since its founding in 2015, the Greer Farmers Market has grown from a small gathering of 10 vendors on Trade Street to a thriving non-profit 501(c)(3) organization hosting year-round events at Greer City Park. Today, the market regularly features over 70 vendors and welcomes more than 2,000 attendees at peak events. Seasonal markets are held weekly from May through August and monthly from September through April, culminating in the annual 2-day Christmas Festival.
The Market serves a diverse community of shoppers—young families, professionals, and seniors alike—while staying true to its mission: to support local farmers, bakers, and hand-made businesses by providing an accessible platform to sell in-season goods directly to Greer residents and visitors. The Market is committed to fostering a healthy, sustainable food system, community education, and a thriving local economy.
Join us December 5 & 6 for the Christmas Market at Greer City Park—where holiday spirit, local makers, and community come together.
Greenwood holds its Christmas parade on Sunday afternoon, December 6.
After the Campobello Christmas parade, have your picture taken with Santa.
Line up on Main Street in Anderson to see the Christmas parade. The city says the parade is free and open to the public.
The parade runs north to south along NE & SE Main Street through downtown Simpsonville. This year’s theme is “A Star-Spangled Christmas,” celebrating America’s 250th and Simpsonville’s 125th birthdays.
★ 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
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 Tryon Christmas Parade begins at 6pm on Trade Street in Downtown Tryon.
Kick off the holiday season with festive lights, music, and community spirit as you celebrate together in downtown Tryon.
When the parade ends, bring the family to the Tryon Firehouse for the Santa Bash, where children can meet Santa, enjoy balloon animals and fun games, and warm up with complimentary hot cocoa and hot cider.
This year the parade moves to a Thursday evening. It begins on North Main Street and ends at Chiquola Baptist Church. Wave to Santa, enjoy festive floats and marching bands as the “Little Town with a Big Heart” comes alive with Christmas spirit.
Come to sing, learn, or remember your favorite holiday music. We will perform live music in Spanish and English, drawing from various traditions (Christmas, Hanukkah, and others). Come, pick your favorite song from the list, and sing along with the entire audience.
Join in this fall for fun evenings under the stars at Doodle Park Pavilion:
December 10 — The Grinch
Bring your chairs, blankets, family, and friends for a great night at the movies in downtown Pickens. Popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase.
Catch The Grinch (2018) (rated PG) for free at NCG Cinema Spartanburg’s Holiday Free Film Fest! The Grinch plots to steal Christmas from the Whos, while Cindy-Lou Who sets out to meet Santa.
🎟️ Cost: Free (reserve free tickets in advance)
📍 Location: NCG Cinema Spartanburg, 1985 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307
👉 Read more
Here’s the full list of movies and times: NCG Holiday Film Fest.
Catch The Grinch (2018) (rated PG) for free at NCG Cinema Spartanburg’s Holiday Free Film Fest! The Grinch plots to steal Christmas from the Whos, while Cindy-Lou Who sets out to meet Santa.
🎟️ Cost: Free (reserve free tickets in advance)
📍 Location: NCG Cinema Spartanburg, 1985 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307
👉 Read more
Here’s the full list of movies and times: NCG Holiday Film Fest.
The Travelers Rest Christmas Parade runs on Main Street, and this year’s theme is “A Mayberry Christmas.” The Greater Travelers Rest Chamber posts the route map.
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 the fun! These store hosts FREE events for kids to do crafts and activities.
The theme of this year’s Dacusville parade is “A Country Kind of Christmas.”
The parade is part of the town’s Rockin’ Around Reidville Festival (11 am – 4 pm).
The Lyman Christmas Parade begins and ends at the Old Mill parking lot on Community Street.
The parade begins at the intersection of East Main St & Bradley Avenue, travels down Main Street, turns left onto South 1st Street and left onto West 1st Street. Rain date is Sunday, December 13 at 3 pm.
Catch The Grinch (2018) (rated PG) for free at NCG Cinema Spartanburg’s Holiday Free Film Fest! The Grinch plots to steal Christmas from the Whos, while Cindy-Lou Who sets out to meet Santa.
🎟️ Cost: Free (reserve free tickets in advance)
📍 Location: NCG Cinema Spartanburg, 1985 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307
👉 Read more
Here’s the full list of movies and times: NCG Holiday Film Fest.
FREE to the public!
Join us for our Merry Little Market 2026 and find the perfect handmade gifts for everyone on your Christmas list this year! There will be over 40 local, small businesses to shop from OUTSIDE the venue and an open house full of wedding vendors inside! There will also be some amazing food trucks to grab lunch from, warm drinks and SANTA!!! You don’t want to miss it!
Event is rain or shine, but will be reassessed if dangerous weather is in the forecast.
Woodruff holds its Christmas parade on Sunday afternoon, December 13.
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