Wondering what not to miss this year? At Kidding Around we love sharing things to do in Greenville and the Upstate. To kick off our new year, and help you plan out yours, our contributors teamed up to share their absolute favorite, never-miss, already excited-about, must-go to events of the year. Get out your calendars. Bookmark this list. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Upstate’s best events of 2024.
The Biggest Birthday Bash
When: February 23, 2024
Recommend by: Kidding Around Team
What is it? A big birthday celebration for everyone at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate.
Why you should go: There will be all your favorite businesses, lots of prizes and giveaways, and of course, we’ll be there.
Spartanburg Spring Fling
When: April 26-28th, 2024
Recommended By: Shannon
What is it? A free-to-attend spring festival in downtown Spartanburg
Why you should go: The streets of downtown Spartanburg turn into a spring festival as the weather starts to warm up. You’ll find non-stop live music and entertainment, food trucks, local small business booths, a Family Fun Zone, car show, breweries, a corn hole tournament, face painting, and so much more. There’s truly something for everyone. Not to mention, most of the downtown shops are also open so you can help support even more local businesses.
Spartanburg Spring Fling
iMAGINE STEAM Festival
When: April 6th, 2024
Recommended By: Erin
What is it? A free, super kid-friendly event exploring science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics
Why you should go: The festival is located in Downtown Greenville on Main Street. The event is highly interactive, with dozens of demonstrations, opportunities to engage in play-based learning, robots, displays, and so much more! The event is engaging, and great for kids and families from young to old. There are moments of wow, awe, joy, and you will see the little gears in your child’s head turning as you explore the different stations set up by organizations throughout the Upstate.
Spring Means Babies
When: April 2024
Recommended By: Kristina
What is it? An annual event at Split Creek Farm in Anderson that features their baby goats, award-winning cheese, and local vendors
Why You should go: Because baby goats, of course.
Split Creek Farm review
Italian Heritage Festival
When: TBA- Usually April
Recommended By: Maria
What is it? A free festival celebrating Italian American heritage with food, music, and dance spread out through downtown Fountain Inn, SC.
Why you should go: 2022 was the inaugural event and it was full of delicious Italian food and entertainment. It was an extremely well-attended event which means this year will likely be even bigger and better. Plus, Fountain Inn has a great little downtown area that’s perfect for festivals!
Duck Derby
When: May 4, 2024
Recommended By: Kristina
What is it? A big, free event in downtown Greenville where rubber ducks race over the waterfall.
Why You Should Go: Because who doesn’t want to watch rubber ducks pour over a waterfall? There are tons of great vendors, music, and food.
Duck Derby review
Artisphere
When: May 10th – 12th, 2024
Recommended by: Erin
What is it? A wonderful celebration of all forms of art!
Why you should go? There are tons of beautiful artists to explore, live demonstrations of art being created, performance art, a large kid’s station with arts and crafts at Kidsphere, and lots of fun visual, culinary, and performance art pieces. There is also live music, great food to eat, and the weather tends to be nice and not too hot.
Kidding Around Review of Artisphere
Greek Festival
When: May dates TBD
Recommended by: Kristina
What is it? A cultural festival celebrating all things Greek – food, music, arts
Why you should go: Because the baklava and gyros are amazing. And the music and dancing are a lot of fun to watch.
Kidding Around Review of the Greek Festival
Sunflower Festival
When: Usually mid-June through early July at Denver Downs Farm
Recommended By: Kristina
What is it? Imagine fields and fields of sunflowers that are taller than most adults. Then imagine dozens of barnyard games, adult beverages, and even more sunflowers. That’s this festival.
Why you should go: Anything at Denver Downs is going to be fun but this festival is also just so incredibly visually stunning. I had never seen so many sunflowers in my life!
Rising Above Cancer Hot Air Balloon Festival
When: Labor Day Weekend 2024
Recommended By: Kristina
What is it? A hot air balloon festival where you can see dozens of hot air balloons flying (weather permissible) or even take a ride yourself. There are kids games, music, and vendors.
Why you should go: I loved seeing all the hot air balloons! They are so cool and as long as the weather cooperates, you will be able to see them floating in the air around Anderson. The festival is a lot of fun as well.
Kidding Around Review of the Hot Air Balloon Festival
Upstate Renaissance Faire
When: September 6th and 7th, 2024
Recommended By: Erin
What is it? A two-day celebration of all things medieval and mystical with lots of cosplaying and great food!
Why you should go: The event is located at Greer City Park, and there are tons of people dressed up in character costumes like Vikings, fairies, mystical monsters, and more! There are also live demonstrations with swords, musicians playing, and a large vendor market of super cool and unique items, and it is a lot of fun.
Kidding Around Review of the Upstate Renaissance Faire.
SOOIE BBQ Cook-Off
When: Usually the third weekend in September
Recommended By: Kristina
What is it? A supremely delicious festival where you can taste awesome BBQ and vote on your favorite. They also have bounce houses and kids activities
Why you should go: To eat amazing, local BBQ.
SOOIE BBQ Festival
Native American Festival
When: Third Saturday in November at Hagood Mill Historic Site
Recommended By: Kristina
What is it? A festival celebrating all things Native American with cultural dances, vendors, activities, and food.
Why you should go: It is a lot of fun to watch the dances and learn about Native American customs and culture. It’s both fun and educational.
Native American Festival
The Nutcracker
When: December 2024
Recommended By: Kristina
What is it? The Nutcracker is a famous ballet and the music is provided by the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.
Why you should go: The performance is outstanding, even if you don’t know the story! The dancers and the music are amazing.
What’s your family’s favorite Greenville event?
