Explore family friendly events, theatres, galleries, concerts, nightlife, things to do, and more in the Greenville, SC and Upstate areas.

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Thursday, December 5, 2019
Balsam Range Art of Music Festival Kickoff
Dec 5 @ 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Folkmoot Center

Tickets for Balsam Range Art of Music Festival Kickoff in Waynesville from ShowClix

For the second year, Balsam Range opens its December Art of Music Festival with an official Waynesville kickoff at the Queen Auditorium, at Folkmoot Center in the Historic Hazelwood School.

Members of Balsam Range will be joined by a strong lineup of special guests to launch their popular weekend festival with a performance on Thursday, December 5.

In a special night honoring the art of songwriting, Balsam Range welcomes John Wiggins, Milan Miller, Aaron Bibelhauser and Missy Armstrong, and adds an appearance by Terry Baucom, a founding member of Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme Out and Boone Creek, and current leader of his band The Dukes of Drive.

Balsam Range will follow the songwriters with its own performance, and will give a sneak-peek of some material from its upcoming album (Note: no recording devices allowed in the auditorium). In addition, Balsam Range’s Marc Pruett will sign copies of his new autobiography “Rascally Mountain Boy”, and may share a tale of two from the book.

The event begins with a social gathering at 6pm, with barbeque and fresh beer available for purchase.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 at the door, and can be purchased in advance at Folkmoot.org or by calling 828.452.2997. Tickets sales and contributions support Folkmoot programs that sustain cultural arts for youth and families in Western North Carolina.

Food will be available at the event:
BBQ chopped pork with a choice of 2 sides from; slaw, beans or collards: $12.00
Peach Cobbler: $3.00

Serving: 5:30pm-7:00pm

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Dec 5 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tryon International Equestrian Center

Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland presented by Ingles
Tryon Resort is thrilled to be the newest location on the Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland circuit. This two-mile journey weaves through hundreds of thousands of animated Christmas lights coordinated to music for an estimated 30 minutes of holiday enchantment. The Wonderland also features giant, custom-built displays of Santa and his pals on vacation in the mountains, hang gliding, rock climbing, ice fishing, lounging around the campfire, and more. This playful portion of the show is sure to please everyone, young to old.

The tour finishes in Tryon Resort’s Winterfest Village filled with more fun for the whole family. The tour is $25 per carload with additional pricing for group vans and buses available. Tickets are available online in advance or at the exhibit entrance, and discount tickets are available at any Ingles location. Tours are self-driven and open from 6pm-10pm seven days a week beginning November 15, 2019 and ending on January 5, 2020.

An Evening of Foxfire Cuisine: A Tasting & Book Signing
Dec 5 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Fiction Addiction

Join us for an evening sponsored by Slow Food Upstate as we re-connect with our Appalachian cooking heritage. Each ticket includes a copy of the revised edition of The Foxfire Book of Appalachian Cookery, and a tasting sampler prepared by Adam’s Mobile Market based on recipes from the book. Foxfire’s Executive Director and editor of the revised cookbook, T.J. Smith, will be available to sign books. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals will be available upon request as supplies last.

The menu includes:

– Butternut Squash Soup with Sorghum Syrup (p.164) and Pickled Apples (p.69)
– Stewed Hog Cheek (p.80) with “Riz Biscuits” (p.155) and Addies Chow Chow (p.68)
– Bakers Creek Mill Yellow Grits (p.150), Fried Green Tomatoes (p.52) and Horseradish Cream

Irish Session at Triskelion
Dec 5 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Triskelion Brewing Company

Irish Session at Triskelion!
( Every first and third Thursday of the month)

A session is a community celebration of traditional Celtic Music and an exploration of a vast, colorful, musical world that originates from Ireland, Scotland and the other Celtic nations.

The tunes start at 6:30 and the final set will finish by 8:30; every first and third Thursday of the month.

All skill levels are welcome, beginners are invited and it is free to the public. We will mainly be playing dance tunes from the Irish music tradition, but certainly not strictly!

If you are interested in playing traditional Celtic music, please come join us!

https://www.facebook.com/events/137638900463983/?event_time_id=137638977130642

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Dec 5 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Bryson City Depot

About This Trip

Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ begins November 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.

True Home Open Mic at Flood Gallery
Dec 5 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Flood Gallery

Uncensored expression: anyone is invited to step up to share song, music, poetry, comedy, rants & raves!

The most eclectic open mic around, in a welcoming gallery setting! 6 pm signup, perform 6:30-8:30 pm.

Music Bingo at The Flat Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC)
Dec 5 @ 7:00 pm – Dec 6 @ 6:00 pm
The Flat Spartanburg

Come join us for an amazing night of music, prizes, and drink specials. It’s Music Bingo at The Flat Spartanburg. Test your music knowledge and compete against your friends and other patrons. It’s easy to play, and everyone is welcome! We’ll see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/610468289358518/?event_time_id=610468419358505

Official kick-off party for the Bon Secours St. Francis Festival of Trees!
Dec 5 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hyatt Regency Greenville, Studio 220

Join us for the official kick-off party for the Bon Secours St. Francis Festival of Trees, presented by the St. Francis Foundation. All proceeds benefit the Neuroscience Program. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks included.

Dressy holiday attire.

 

San Jose Sharks at Carolina Hurricanes
Dec 5 @ 7:00 pm
PNC Arena
Trivia with David & Co. each Thursday!
Dec 5 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Carolina Bauernhaus Brewery & Winery

Form teams and alliances, and get ready to #think and #drink. Trivia night starts at 7PM!

https://www.facebook.com/events/2518086264887915/?event_time_id=2518086384887903

A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
Dec 5 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Image

Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00PM and 7:30PM
Fridays 8:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays 2:00PM

 

A family tradition has come home for the holidays. An all-new production. Sure to delight and entertain.  Join us for the celebration

A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
Dec 5 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Image

Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00PM and 7:30PM
Fridays 8:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays 2:00PM

 

A family tradition has come home for the holidays. An all-new production. Sure to delight and entertain.  Join us for the celebration

David Kiser of SC Public Radio’s “On the Keys” at the Carolina Music Museum
Dec 5 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Carolina Music Museum

The engaging and talented host of Thursday evening’s South Carolina’s Public Radio show, “On the Keys,” David Kiser spends this Thursday night with us and let’s his fingers do most of the talking. An accomplished organist, David has set himself the goal of playing and recording every pipe organ in our state. We don’t want you to think that David is AWOL from SC Public Radio—he records his show, so be with us and hear his fingers talk! With only 80 seats available, call 864-520-8807 to make your reservations early ($15 for adults, $5 for students.)

Every Brilliant Thing
Dec 5 @ 8:00 pm
The Warehouse Theatre

In this transfer of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s production of EVERY BRILLIANT THING, you’re six years old. Mum’s in the hospital. Dad says she’s “done something stupid.” She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything that’s worth living for. 1. Ice cream. 2. Kung Fu movies. 3. Burning things. 4. Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. 5. Construction cranes. 6. Me. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling. Soon, the list will take on a life of its own. This heart-wrenching, hilarious play is just the ticket if you’re tired of Christmas plays this season and just want to think about those you love.

Since this is a Bonus Show to our Main Stage Season, tickets are only $20 for General Admission and $10 for Season Subscribers.

Friday, December 6, 2019
Rockin’ Winter Photo Contest
Dec 6 @ 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park

Winter can be the most beautiful time of the year at Chimney Rock. Leafless trees make for expansive views of Lake Lure and the Hickory Nut Gorge. The sky is clear; you’re likely to find a quiet spot to sit and enjoy the peacefulness. You may even see a critter scamper by you in the forest. Capture that special moment or scene on your camera, enter it in our Winter Wonders Photo Contest and tell us about it. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.
Cost: No additional cost to enter.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1883673098397455/?event_time_id=1883673128397452

Bullington Gardens Holiday Sale & Open House
Dec 6 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Join the Elves at Bullington Gardens to shop for Amaryllis, Poinsettias, wreaths, unique holiday crafts, ornaments and so much more!

“Dressing for the Occasion: Mid-Century Sandburg as Celebrity and Family Man”
Dec 6 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Carl Sandburg Home

Sandburg Clothing on Exhibit

“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.

Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.

African American Small Business Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Downtown

Take care of your holiday shopping list with us at our Downtown Spartanburg Holiday Pop-Up Shop! Featuring local African American entrepreneurs and retailers offering a wide variety of gifts.  This unique holiday offering will connect downtown visitors with new gift-buying options while encouraging inclusion and equity in Downtown Spartanburg.

Christmas Lionel Train Scavenger Hunt
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Model Trains Station

Families love Model Trains Station’s Christmas Lionel train display with scavenger hunts set to the theme of “Frozen” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”. Get into the holiday spirit by visiting the snowy mountains near the North Pole or taking a peak at Charlie Brown’s fictional town of Pinetree Corners. There are seven displays running 21 trains with interactive controls for little engineers. Model Trains Station located in Taylors Mill is a family Christmas adventure worth finding.

Fall Foliage Photography Contest
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park

Capture photos of your friends and family members enjoying the vivid hues of fall and enter them into our photo contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.

No additional costs to enter.

The first-place winner will receive an overnight getaway to Hickory Nut Gorge with a stay at the Historic 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa, two passes to the Park, brunch for two at the Historic 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa and two tickets for a tour with Lake Lure Boat Tours.

The contest’s second-place winner will receive two passes to the Park, lunch for two at the Old Rock Cafe and two tickets for a tour with Lake Lure Boat Tours.

Chimney Rock’s Facebook followers will select the People’s Choice Award winner. Followers will have a week to like and share their favorite photo from an album of Winter Photo Contest entries posted on the Park’s Facebook page at facebook.com/chimneyrockparknc. The People’s Choice Award Winner will receive two passes to the Park, lunch for two at Old Rock Cafe and their photo will be featured on the Park’s Facebook page.

Shutterbugs interested in capturing Mother Nature’s wintry beauty can do so by entering Friday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the Park’s winter hours.

All entries must be submitted to [email protected] or to the Parks’ Facebook page through Facebook messenger.

https://www.facebook.com/events/354841472011965/?event_time_id=354841555345290