Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

Ice on Main: Live Out Your Winter Dreams On The Ice In Downtown Greenville, SC

Ready to skate at Ice on Main in Downtown Greenville? You heard that right; you can go ice skating outdoors in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, on natural, actual ice this holiday and winter season. One of America’s favorite winter traditions, open-air ice skating outdoors is a rare treat. You can celebrate the holiday season in the heart of Downtown Greenville at United Community Bank Ice on Main. So bring your perfect balance, all your grace, or just your two left feet, and have some fun. Rent some skates, enjoy a hot chocolate and soak up all the winter ice skating memories.

Greenville’s 2023/2024 skating season will begin on November 15th, 2023 and run through January 15th, 2024. So grab your family and find out what you’ll need to hit the rink this winter! We have all the details on rink hours, special promotions, advanced tickets, and more.

Looking for more fun winter things to do in Greenville, SC? Be sure to check out our Winter Guide to Greenville!

Scenes from Ice on Main

Want to see what skating at Ice on Main looks like? Here’s a video from our visit to Ice on Main with all the sights and sounds of outdoor skating in Downtown Greenville.

Greenville, South Carolina, may not freeze over often, but the city has a skating rink during the winter months just waiting to test your skills.

Ice On Main in Greenville, South Carolina

There is something so special about Ice on Main in downtown Greenville. Maybe it’s the beautiful location right in downtown or maybe it’s the overhead lights or maybe it’s just knowing that you can make those fantastic memories with your family right here in Greenville.

It doesn’t even matter if you’re a horrible skater. We’re in the South! It’s not like we have frozen lakes everywhere to practice on. Even if you’re hugging the side of the rink, it’s still really fun. Or you can hold hands with your kids or significant other and just hope you both don’t go falling over together.

Either way, I think Ice on Main should definitely be on your to-do list for winter in Greenville.

Ice On Main is Great for Beginners: Skate Aids

One of the unique features of Ice on Main, over other local rinks, is the skate aids that they offer. The plastic walker-shaped aid has handles and gives children 12 and under something to hold on to instead of the railing on the side of the rink. These are first-come, first-served, and is an additional $3 rental fee. Be sure to arrive early to secure one, as they sometimes run out during peak times.

Skating is open to all age skaters. However, the smallest rental skate is a children’s size 8, and the largest adult size is a Men’s size 13.

Skate Rentals Are Included, But You Can Bring Your Own

Bringing your skates won’t save you money on tickets, because rental skates are included in the admission price.

But for those who skate regularly or plan to, bringing your own skates is definitely an option.

If you think you or your child will be on the ice all winter long, purchasing them a pair of skates might be a good idea. You could continue the fun at The Pavilion in Taylors after Ice on Main is done for the season.

Out On The Ice

Each session is an hour long, and while they accept walk-up skaters if space allows, making a reservation is recommended. There’s a restroom right next to the rink and a concession shed with drinks and snacks. To make the most of the hour, try and take care of potty breaks before your session begins. There’s no place to secure your belongings while on the ice, so only bring what you can carry if everyone in your party will be on the ice.

If skating works up an appetite, here’s a guide to restaurants in Downtown Greenville to check out this winter.

2023/2024 Season Ice On Main Info

Ticket Prices

Sessions are hour-long and are non-refundable. Check Ice on Main’s Facebook page before heading out, as sometimes the weather will close the rink.

$10 | Adults age 13+
$8 | Children age 3-12
FREE | Children 2 and younger
$2 | Skate Aid Walker rental

Advance Ticket Purchases are not required but encouraged.

Normal Rink Hours

The 2023/2024 Ice on Main season will begin on November 15th and run through January 15th, 2024. Operating hours vary on Holidays. For the Holiday Hours, check the times on the Ice On Main website.

Monday – Thursday | 2-9 PM
Fridays | 2-10 PM
Saturday – Sunday | 11 AM – 10 PM

Birthday Parties

Did you know you can rent the ice rink for a birthday party or other special event? You can! You receive $2 off per ticket and must purchase 30 tickets to receive the discount and rent the rink.

Private bookings are available Monday through Friday (2 – 5 pm), with blackout dates for discounted rink rentals being November 24 – 26, December 17 – January 2, and January 17.

Promotional Offers

Check Ice on Main’s Facebook page for other themed and promotional night announcements.

$5 Skating every Tuesdays
$4 Skating on January 4, 2024 courtesy of WYFF 4
See the website for a list of other promotional nights

Parking and Location

Ice on Main is located in the courtyard in front of the Courtyard Marriott at 206 South Main Street. The hotel has a parking garage, and there are other Downtown Greenville Parking Facilities available nearby.

50+ Things to Do This Winter Break: Greenville, SC

Need ideas for things to do this winter break? Greenville and Upstate students are out of school for the next couple of weeks, so we’ve put together a huge list of over 50 things in the Upstate that you can do with your kids during the winter break. You’ll find fun activities, day trip ideas, and ways to have a great time while keeping your kids busy while school is out.

Things to do during winter break with your kids in Greenville, South Carolina

If you have any more suggestions for ways to keep your children busy while school is out let us know in the comments!
This list contains affiliate links and may include non-paid mentions of KAG sponsors.

Don’t let the cold bring you down.

Our KA Winter Guide to Greenville, SC will help you plan the best day ever!

Have fun this winter with these FREE & cheap things to do near Greenville, SC.

Keep your kids busy at one of these winter break camps near Greenville, SC.

Kidding Around Greenville events calendar for Greenville, SC

Stuck on what to do? Our events calendar is full of the best events for families in the Upstate!

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See the Earle Street Santas (and Other Holiday Attractions) with the Kidding Around Holiday Greenville Bike Taxi Tour

As if seeing holiday lights and the beauty of downtown Greenville could be any better – it just did. Introducing the Kidding Around Holiday Greenville Bike Taxi Tour. We did it and have all the info on this new, must-do holiday item for your family.

When Greenville Bike Taxi opened in Greenville, SC as the only pedicab biking down Main Street, owner Phil thought it’d be a great fit. Bikes use no gas. They are eco-friendly. They allow guests to really take in the sights and sounds of our beautiful downtown. And really, they are just plain fun.

And fun is exactly what we had with Phil when he took us on the new Kidding Around Holiday Tour designed specifically to enjoy the beautiful Christmas season and see lots of fantastic Christmas lights and one pretty famous street with about 40 blow-up Santas.

Greenville Bike Taxi Santas — Greenville Bike Taxi

About Greenville Bike Taxi

Phil grew up in Greenville and moved to the coast to go to school. In Charleston, he ended up working for a bike taxi company and loved it. He peddled all over King Street and through the historic district, taking people to restaurants, markets, bars, and on shopping trips. Literally, anywhere they wanted to go.

When he decided to move back home to the Upstate, he wanted to bring that same experience to Greenville. So he did. After obtaining the necessary permits and navigating all the business paperwork, Phil opened up Greenville Bike Taxi in the spring and people have loved it.

It’s easy to see why. It’s such a unique way to get around town and since Greenville is so beautiful and since there is lots to see, it’s far from a boring way to be stuck in traffic on Main Street.

If you’re in town and want a bike taxi, just call or text (843.670.0418) Phil and he’ll come get you! A standard ride is $7/person for 10 minutes. We’ll give you pricing info on our holiday tour below.

The Kidding Around Holiday Bike Tour

You all know how much we love tours, right? But they are all driving tours. Now we’ve partnered with Greenville Bike Taxi to offer a Kidding Around Holiday Tour!

Here’s where you will go:

The Gingerbread Competition at the SpringHill Suites
The Hyatt Regency to see the Festival of Trees
Earle Street to see the Santas – like literally dozens of them – that line the street

The entire tour is an hour long and it’s one of the best tours we’ve done downtown. Phil cranks up the Christmas tunes and you’ll get people waving at you the whole time you’re in the pedicab. Honestly, my daughters and I felt like celebrities. It was our 15 minutes (well, an hour) of fame.

My daughters (ages 12 and 9) were just elated the entire time. They loved watching Main Street fly by and enjoyed all the stops, especially the ride down Earle Street. The novelty of being in a pedicab was a joy.

But as an adult, I absolutely loved it also. It’s just a view you don’t usually get and Phil was a great bike rider (even though he didn’t let me try to ride the bike, ya know, insurance and all that!).

I also loved it because it’s literally your own private tour. You aren’t squished in anywhere with strangers. You’re squished in with your loved ones and nice and snuggly while stopping to see all the cool stuff around town during the holidays.

Tips on Enjoying the Kidding Around Holiday Bike Tour

You’ll want to read through these tips so you can enjoy your holiday bike tour with Greenville Bike Taxi.

Dress warmly. It’s chilly so bring hats and gloves and wear a warm jacket. Phil has blankets, which are nice and warm.
Charge your phone for photos. I find that my phone batteries die faster in colder weather so bring your phone charged to document your fun night.
Rides are an hour long. The tour is an hour long but you’ll stop at the two hotels and can use the restrooms if needed.
Each bike can fit four people. You’ll be able to squeeze in two adults and two kids to any bike. If you need more space, you can rent two (or three or four) bikes for your group.
Holiday bike tours will go to around Christmas. You’ll be able to book your tours during the week through Christmas with Greenville Bike Taxi.

Booking Your Kidding Around Holiday Bike Tour

The Kidding Around Holiday Bike Tour is being offered at a discounted hourly rate of $30/person for weekdays and $40/person for weekends, which includes all the stops on the tour. If you’d like to change it up, just ask Phil. He’s pretty awesome.

You can book your tour by calling or texting Phil at 843.670.0418 or emailing him at movewithPhil@gmail.com.

Tours are offered right now Monday-Thursday at 5 pm, 6 pm, and 7 pm. Fridays & Saturdays have just been added at 5 pm, 6:15 pm, and 7:30 pm.

Greenville Bike Taxi
843.670.0418

More Holiday Lights and Where to See Them

The Best Idea for Making that Book Gift the Most Special Gift of All

Love to gift a good book? Here’s an excellent idea for how to give your kids the important gift of a book for Christmas without it being lost in the shuffle!

This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.

I don’t think there’s a Keigley gene for Early Rising. Sure, as very newborn humans the kids woke up early – but 3 am isn’t actually early. It’s more like – late. Or middle of the night.

My dad was an extremely early riser. Despite his hopes and his best efforts, the habit has never actually rubbed off on me. And not on my children either.

I have friends whose non-baby children routinely awake at o’dark thirty, full of energy and go-get-em. I pity those parents. (Just kidding. They all seem happy about sunrises. Good for them.)

Our kids are mostly late sleepers and quiet awakers. Hooray for me. And, truly, Christmas morning is generally more of the same.

(I bet you were wondering where this ramble was heading. It’s heading this way. I’ll show you. I start my posts like I start my mornings – slow.)

The tradition began

We have never had a Christmas morning with children bouncing into our bed at 4 am nor have we heard secret unwrapping sounds at 6 am. However. Since early on I was not certain how the Christmas mornings would find our children, I had prepared an idea to battle the potential Too Early Christmas Morning Woes.

This tradition began when my oldest daughter, Riley, was small – and it’s been a steady family favorite since then. Since those early years, there has never been a Christmas without this tradition. (Even Christmas mornings on the road – this has been one easy tradition to take along with us.)

While the kids are sleeping on Christmas Eve, I sneak to their rooms and place a wrapped book on the foot of their beds. In the morning, when their golden slumber ceases, they open their eyes, spy the book and are allowed to open it all alone in their cozy warmth and to enjoy its treasure.

It’s been a sweet way to encourage a quiet beginning to the Christmas holiday. It’s a lovely way to ensure that the gift of a book doesn’t lose its value underneath shinier and louder options. It creates an environment that says words have value and reading is special.

I love picking their books each year. I always include an inscription and the date on the inside front cover.

One year my daughter was really into Nancy Drew. This year my girls are loving the Warrior series. I remember the year four-year-old Hawkeye received his own copy of Stellaluna after checking it out at the library weekly for the better part of that year. There have been cookbooks and comic books and a slow building collection of their own Lord of the Rings copies. Also, a beautifully illustrated Hobbit. The kids have pored over treasured Calvin and Hobbes books for years.

I hope the Book on the Bed tradition is one our children will cherish and remember fondly – and even – find themselves sharing one day with their own children.

Locally-owned bookstores: Greenville, SC

Find a great book!

Check out these locally-owned bookstores in Greenville, SC.

For more Christmas gift ideas, see our Greenville Gift Guide.

Does your family have a favorite Christmas tradition?

(2023) Fire Truck Santa Will Visit 75 Neighborhoods in Upstate, SC

Did you know that Greenville & Spartanburg’s fire departments have an honorary team member who lives in the North Pole? It’s true, and seeing Santa on a firetruck in Greenville, SC, and Spartanburg, SC has solidified a tradition for many families. Santa will visit close to 80 neighborhoods around the Upstate by firetruck, spreading Christmas joy!

Santa in Greenville, SC Neighborhoods

Santa in Spartanburg, SC Neighborhoods

He’s really busy this time of year, so the most efficient way to get a last peek at all of the good boys and girls of the Upstate is to hitch a ride with first responders and zip through neighborhoods. Reindeer magic only works at night, in case you were wondering, so this is the best way!

Santa is Coming to Town!
Where to Find Santa in Greenville this Christmas Season

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Where to Mail a Letter to Santa in Greenville, SC

Are you searching for “Santa mailboxes near me”? Or a place where you can drop off your letter to Santa in Greenville, SC? Writing letters to Santa is such a joy for kids and their parents. The innocence they have at those ages is precious, isn’t it? After they are done writing out their letter, there are places here in the Greenville, SC area where kids can drop their finished masterpiece and send it on to the North Pole.

We’ve gathered up the information for all of Santa’s mailbox locations near Greenville.

If he’s able, Santa will respond to these letters as long as they have a legible return address on them so don’t forget that important part!

For places to see Santa, don’t miss our Santa Sightings List full of places to see Santa this year.

Places around Greenville to drop off a letter to Santa

Bass Pro Shops (Formerly Cabela’s) in Greenville
Head to Cabela’s where you can visit with Santa and get a free photo (reservation required). You will also find a letter box at Santa’s Wonderland to send your list. You can pop in anytime the store is open to mail your letter.

3125 State Park Road, Greenville
This family puts up the Santa mailbox usually at Thanksgiving.

100 N Main Street, Fountain Inn
This mailbox is in front of Lilies on Main in Fountain Inn. The mailbox is up starting November 20th and all letters will receive a reply within three business days (this is a pretty efficient Santa we must say). Be sure to put your child’s name on the letter and you can pick it up at the flower shop through December 15th.

Larry Bagwell Gym, Easley
One of four in Easley. This one is at 111 Walkers Way, Easley.

Dickens of a Christmas in Spartanburg
This one-night event has a Santa’s mailbox for letters. It happens on December 5th, 2023 from 6-9 pm.

Dickens of a Christmas Santa Mail Drop Off

902 Whitemarsh Ave, Simpsonville (34.6944731, -82.2951430)
This is the big Anthony’s Family Lights annual home display. They have a Santa mailbox and a big holiday light display.

For all the holiday-related events in the Upstate, check out our 2023 Holiday Events and Things to do Near Greenville.

10+ Great Christmas Date Ideas Near Greenville, SC

Ready for a night out with your love this Christmas? Date night this time of year has a little extra magic involved. With Twinkly lights, holiday music, and some unique events to attend, sneaking away for a date night is worth it. We’ve come up with some great ideas to make that special night even more memorable during this time of the year.

Christmas date night ideas in Greenville, South Carolina

For even more holiday fun, don’t miss the Ultimate Holiday Guide to Greenville, SC. It’s packed full of things to do, gift ideas, events, and more!

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Charming Hallmark Mountain Town Sparkles During the Holidays

For a unique and completely charming holiday experience, Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries in Western NC is the place to go for the whole family. It’s just two hours from Upstate, SC and three hours from Charlotte, NC. Go make some magical Christmas memories in Dillsboro, NC.

Thank you to Discover Jackson NC, Jackson County for inviting us to experience Lights & Luminaries.

Taking time to slow down during the weeks leading up to Christmas can seem like an impossible task but when you make the decision to do so and really experience the joy of the magical season, that’s when those special memories happen. And those memories await you and your family in the small, mountain town of Dillsboro, North Carolina, a beautiful two-hour drive from the Upstate in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Lights & Luminaries in Dillsboro

Lights & Luminaries in Dillsboro is the Hallmark experience you’ve been searching for. The quaint town twinkling by the light of sparkling radiance. The candles lit along the streets. The shops that carry all kinds of locally made goods that you can only find there. The kindest people you’ll ever meet who are happy to see you.

Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries encompasses all of that and more. The festival started in 1983 as a way to celebrate the holidays and has been going strong for 40 years.

There is a calming, magical ambiance at this festival. There are white lights Christmas lights everywhere, plus 2,500 candles in white paper bags along every street. It’s like you stepped out of your life and into a time from many years ago.

There are carolers and horse and buggy rides. Santa & Mrs. Claus are available for timeless Dillsboro, NC Christmas photos. Nearly every shop sells only handmade goods from local artists or vintage items like cast iron cooking pans, antique furniture, and iron-wrought bed frames. There are shops that look like the North Pole exploded inside. Cookies, hot apple cider, and candy were in many of the shops and along the streets. I finally had to put a stop to my kids eating their monthly allotment of cookies all in one night.

And for myself, I was elated to find a grown-up nativity set while browsing at one of the Christmas-themed shops. Everyone was so kind and helpful and wishing us “Merry Christmas”.

It all felt authentic and genuine and just lovely.

Where to Eat During Lights & Luminaries

There are a handful of restaurants in the small town that have everything from BBQ to pub grub to Greek and Italian cuisine. We chose the Quirky Birds Treehouse & Bistro because it looked really cute. We walked in to a very cozy dining room and friendly employees. We had nachos, vegetarian chili, pizza, and grilled cheese. It was great! The nachos were my favorite as they had guacamole, cheese, chili, and sour cream. I thought the prices were reasonable, around $7-$12/person.

Dillsboro is small but mighty when it comes to food. Haywood Smokehouse is one of the Top 25 BBQ Restaurants in the country. We weren’t able to try it but it looks amazing. Next time!

Be sure to stop by the Dillsboro Chocolate Factory where you’ll be greeted by an array of handmade chocolates, fudge, and coffee.

Where to Enjoy the Outdoors in Dillsboro

Dillsboro is close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, home to nearly 900 miles in hiking trails. It’s also only a 20 minute drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you can get to places like Waterrock Knob, the 16th highest mountain in the Eastern United States.

Cashiers, the Land of the Waterfalls, and a big favorite of us at Kidding Around, is about 40 minutes from Dillsboro. There are no shortage of gorgeous hikes and waterfalls to explore there.

The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

When we were pulling into our hotel, the Best Western Plus River, we saw the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train and it was so cool! It was chugging along right in front of us, smoke billowing out from the top. It turns out the railroad is only 20 minutes away in Bryson City.

If your family goes on the Polar Express ride during November and December, Dillsboro is the perfect spot to enjoy time together, especially if you make the trip during the Lights & Luminaries festival.

Where to Stay in Dillsboro

Discover Jackson NC put us up in the Best Western Plus River Escape right on Tuckasegee River. Our room overlooked the river and it was so calming and peaceful.

The hotel is beautiful and you could walk to the town of Dillsboro if you wanted to. They have a heated indoor pool and hot tub, which we made good use of after eating all those cookies at the festival.

They also have a free, hot breakfast in the morning, which is pretty much equal to Christmas for my kids. They have eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy, yogurt, oatmeal, a coffee maker that will make pretty much anything you want, juices, pastries, and our favorite: a pancake maker that looks like it came from The Jetsons. Rooms are spacious and clean and the lobby has a beautiful fireplace and cozy chairs.

Planning Your Own Trip to Dillsboro

Lights & Luminaries takes place the first two weekends of December every year, each Friday and Saturday from 5-8 pm. The last two dates for 2023 are December 8th and 9th. There’s still time to plan a last-minute getaway!

For next year, we will update this story with those dates and anything new that the festival has going on. There is no cost to attend Lights & Luminaries either, which makes it a wonderful, low-cost Christmastime adventure with your family.

I think the biggest thing I loved about Lights & Luminaries was that it was the perfect opportunity to slow down, to enjoy the magical season, and to spend that quality time with my kids that I strive and long for. As I’m sure many parents can relate, the time we have with them goes quickly. I want to make the most of that time and this was a weekend well-spent.

Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries
December 1, 2, 8, and 9, 2023 from 5-8 pm each night
Dillsboro, NC

Experience Christmas Magic at the Greenville Zoo’s Holiday Lights Show

Have you heard about how spectacular the Greenville Zoo lights are during the holidays? Holidays at the Zoo at the Greenville Zoo has holiday music, Christmas decorations, and enchanting light displays that are guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face this Christmas season.

Holidays at the Zoo at the Greenville Zoo in South Carolina

Holidays at the Zoo at the Greenville Zoo is a must-see in Greenville, SC for families and anyone looking to experience a bit of Christmas magic this holiday season. I tried it out and absolutely loved it for its amazing lights, relaxed and festive atmosphere, and great Christmas music.

Want more holiday lights? Check out our big Holiday Lights List for the best displays in our area!

Holidays at the Zoo: The Greenville Zoo Lights You Can Walk Through!

This amazing event has only been going on for a few years now, but it is quickly becoming a holiday staple. If you haven’t heard about it yet, let us introduce you to this awesome show of Christmas lights!

The lights are strewn throughout the entire zoo, right from the entrance gate all along the paved paths. There are two huge light tunnels which are fantastic. One of them, the one nearest the farm animals, is synchronized to music. I’ll be the first to tell you that yes, I was a hundred percent dancing through this tunnel to the music. It was so much fun and my kids thought it was hilarious. I don’t know why they didn’t join me.

I did get to talk to the guy who is responsible for the programming of the lights and a lot of the setup. He confirmed my suspicion that this display was no easy job to create. I really think the Greenville Zoo did a fantastic job with this display.

Santa and (Some) Sleeping Animals

The lights continue on throughout the zoo once you enter and stroll past the reptile house, which is open if you’d like to stop in to see the creepy crawlers, and up to the concession area where you can buy hot chocolate or popcorn and browse the zoo shop. They have really cute stuffed animals, ornaments, and other gifts.

Santa’s workshop is near there as well where guests are invited to take photos. Santa will be at the zoo on December 9^th, 16^th, and 23^rd, 2023 from 4 pm – 7 pm.

Keep on strolling through the zoo, past the birds (you may see a huge owl like we did!), and around the small play area, which is closed for this special event. But don’t worry because once you round that curve, you’ll see a huge Holidays at the Zoo sign that you can use for pictures and then you get to walk through the big musical light tunnel – my favorite. Tag us in videos where you dance. Please.

We went at 6 pm and most of the animals were already sleeping so you probably won’t see many if you go in the evening. If you go during an earlier slot, you should be able to see the animals. One of our readers said she went a little before 5 pm and got to see the animals and then when it got dark, went through again, without exiting the zoo as your ticket does not include readmission, to see all the lights lit up. This way you can enjoy the Christmas decorations and the animals as well!

The experience is such fun and absolutely worth it. It’s obvious how much work and effort the Zoo went through to make this an incredible experience for their guests.

Yummy Concessions

I definitely recommend getting a cup of hot chocolate while you’re at Holidays at the Zoo. I love hot chocolate and it’s even tastier on a chilly winter night.

You can also purchase tokens at the concession stand for milk and cookies, which you can eat while sitting at a little fire on some couches or pretty white wicker chairs that are very cozy and picturesque. There’s also a mechanical reindeer and really, who doesn’t love that?

Best Ages for Holidays at the Zoo

My kids are 8 and 11 years old and they loved this light display. I loved it as an adult. The tunnels and lights and music were my favorite and made me feel like a kid again. It was fantastic.

The Greenville Zoo is stroller-friendly and I saw lots of families making use of them while walking throughout the light display so if your kids are smaller, this is a great option to see some holiday lights and have that fun, family experience together.

I’ve always thought that the Greenville Zoo is such a manageable adventure for families with smaller kids and this event is no different. We spent about 45 minutes, maybe a little longer, going through the whole zoo, stopping to take photos and videos, and just to soak it all in. This is such a perfect excursion because it’s local so you aren’t driving far and also because it will easily capture the attention of kids at any age.

Tips on Enjoying the Greenville Zoo Lights

Here are a few tips to make your experience even more enjoyable at the Greenville Zoo during Holidays at the Zoo:

The Zoo is pretty much all outdoors so definitely plan your wardrobe accordingly. Be sure to have hats, gloves, scarves, and a warm jacket, especially when you go at night.
I’d recommend going around sunset or later so you can get the whole light show experience.
Bathrooms are conveniently located near the concession and shop area right in the middle of the Zoo. It’s always good to know where the bathrooms are!
The play areas inside the Zoo are closed during Holidays at the Zoo so just plan for that, especially if you know your kids love to play there.
If you have a stroller, you’re welcome to use it. There’s plenty of space to use strollers at the Zoo during this event.
Pets are not allowed on Zoo grounds so leave your furry friend home when visiting the light show.
Your tickets are one time entry only so you can’t leave and then come back later.

Holidays at the Zoo Dates & Tickets

Tickets to Holidays at the Zoo are $10/adult members and $8/child members; $12/adult non-members and $10/child non-members (online prices). If you choose to purchase tickets at the gate, the cost is $14/adults and $12/kids for non-members. The Zoo is encouraging guests to purchase tickets online to ensure their spot. Plus, it’s cheaper that way!

Holidays at the Zoo is happening at the Greenville Zoo:

December 8th-10th, 2023 from 4 – 8 pm
December 15th – 23rd, 2023 from 4 – 8 pm
December 26th – 30th, 2023 from 4 – 8 pm

Santa will be at the zoo on December 9^th, 16^th, and 23^rd, 2023 from 4 pm – 7 pm, so if you want to see him, purchase your tickets for those dates and times.

The tickets are timed and the last time slot is 7:30 pm but as long as you are in line by 8 pm, you’ll get in.

Greenville Zoo
150 Cleveland Park Drive, Greenville
Website

Viewing Giraffes and other Wildlife at the Greenville Zoo in Greenville, SC

You can use our Complete Guide to the Greenville Zoo to see what to expect during your next visit, any time of year!

Where to Ride in a Horse & Carriage at Christmas near Greenville, SC

Thinking about a carriage ride in Greenville this Christmas? There are few things as exciting for little kids or as romantic for grown-ups as cozying up in a horse-drawn carriage during Christmastime. We wanted to make sure our readers have every opportunity to hear that clickety-clock of hooves on pavement and feel the magic of this experience during the holiday season so here are all the places around Greenville to ride in a horse & carriage.

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Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

Scenes from Ice on Main

Ice On Main in Greenville, South Carolina

Ice On Main is Great for Beginners: Skate Aids

Skate Rentals Are Included, But You Can Bring Your Own

Out On The Ice

2023/2024 Season Ice On Main Info

Ticket Prices

Normal Rink Hours

Birthday Parties

Promotional Offers

Parking and Location

There’s more to explore in Greenville this season!

See the Earle Street Santas (and Other Holiday Attractions) with the Kidding Around Holiday Greenville Bike Taxi Tour

Who Has the Best Christmas House in the Upstate?

(2023) Fire Truck Santa Will Visit 75 Neighborhoods in Upstate, SC

Your Holiday Table: Here’s Where You Can Find Delicious Food for the Holidays Near Greenville, SC

Charming Hallmark Mountain Town Sparkles During the Holidays

Experience Christmas Magic at the Greenville Zoo’s Holiday Lights Show

About Greenville Bike Taxi

The Kidding Around Holiday Bike Tour

Tips on Enjoying the Kidding Around Holiday Bike Tour

Booking Your Kidding Around Holiday Bike Tour

The tradition began

Places around Greenville to drop off a letter to Santa

Lights & Luminaries in Dillsboro

Where to Eat During Lights & Luminaries

Where to Enjoy the Outdoors in Dillsboro

The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Where to Stay in Dillsboro

Planning Your Own Trip to Dillsboro

There’s More Holiday Fun in WNC

The NC Arboretum Is A Dreamy Holiday Light Experience in Asheville, NC

Visit Bryson City, NC for the Holidays

10+ Ways To Celebrate Christmas In Asheville, NC

Tis the Season of Awesome: Christmas in Hendersonville, NC

National Gingerbread Competition: Make Asheville’s Grove Park Inn A Christmas Tradition For Your Family

Fall Play & Pumpkins at Linda’s Plants & Shrubs: Hendersonville, NC

Holidays at the Zoo: The Greenville Zoo Lights You Can Walk Through!

Santa and (Some) Sleeping Animals

Yummy Concessions

Best Ages for Holidays at the Zoo

Tips on Enjoying the Greenville Zoo Lights

Holidays at the Zoo Dates & Tickets

Greenville Guides

Family Fun in Greenville, SC