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

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Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Call for Entries to the 17th annual Artisphere festival!
Sep 15 all-day
Online

Ranked a TOP 10 Fine Art and Fine Craft festival by the Art Fair Sourcebook and #3 out of 20 finalists in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Art Festival, Artisphere is a signature event on Greenville’s busy cultural calendar that draws both locals and art buying tourists to Greenville, SC’s dynamic downtown.

A supportive, art-loving community, beautiful setting, notable on-site artist amenities and hospitality, and over 500 volunteers make the Artisphere three-day event an enjoyable experience for exhibiting artists and the public alike.

KEY DEADLINES
October 8, 2021: Deadline to submit application.
December 3, 2021: Artist Notification
January 14, 2022:  Acceptance of Festival Participation and Booth Fees Due
February 25, 2022:  Final Date for Cancellation and Receipt of Refund
May 6-8, 2022:  Festival Dates

LOCATION
The Artisphere outdoor festival takes place in Downtown Greenville, SC. Exhibitor booths are located along Main Street.  Greenville is located among the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwest corner of South Carolina on I-85 about halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte.

EVENT DATES AND TIMES
Artist Check-In:  Friday, May 6 (6am – 11am)
Festival Hours:  Friday, May 6 (NOON – 8pm)
Saturday, May 7 (10am – 8pm)
Sunday, May 8 (11am – 6pm)
Artist Load-Out:  Sunday, May 8 (6pm – until)

Wings of the City Art Exhibit
Sep 15 all-day
Falls Park and on the Peace Center
WINGS OF THE CITY
Local news has shared several recent stories about a petition to remove the Wings of the City exhibit. Art can create many different reactions and emotions in viewers, and Hispanic Alliance respects the right to both share these impressions and to be civically active in the community.
We also want to reassure the community that the vast majority of responses to this exhibit have been overwhelmingly positive. Many are full of pride to have a world-renowned artist, and the accompanying tourism, brought to our home. Please read a joint statement from the City of Greenville and Hispanic Alliance regarding the City’s support for Wings of the City, as well as the real intentions behind welcoming this art.
On a personal note, Hispanic Alliance has been deeply touched by the supportive messages and generous donations of those seeking to preserve this art for everyone. We encourage you to see these impressive sculptures in-person! Please visit WingsofGVL.com to learn more, and don’t forget to use the hashtags #WingsofGVL, #AlasdeGVL, and #WingsoftheCity.
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Call for Entries to the 17th annual Artisphere festival!
Sep 16 all-day
Online

Ranked a TOP 10 Fine Art and Fine Craft festival by the Art Fair Sourcebook and #3 out of 20 finalists in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Art Festival, Artisphere is a signature event on Greenville’s busy cultural calendar that draws both locals and art buying tourists to Greenville, SC’s dynamic downtown.

A supportive, art-loving community, beautiful setting, notable on-site artist amenities and hospitality, and over 500 volunteers make the Artisphere three-day event an enjoyable experience for exhibiting artists and the public alike.

KEY DEADLINES
October 8, 2021: Deadline to submit application.
December 3, 2021: Artist Notification
January 14, 2022:  Acceptance of Festival Participation and Booth Fees Due
February 25, 2022:  Final Date for Cancellation and Receipt of Refund
May 6-8, 2022:  Festival Dates

LOCATION
The Artisphere outdoor festival takes place in Downtown Greenville, SC. Exhibitor booths are located along Main Street.  Greenville is located among the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwest corner of South Carolina on I-85 about halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte.

EVENT DATES AND TIMES
Artist Check-In:  Friday, May 6 (6am – 11am)
Festival Hours:  Friday, May 6 (NOON – 8pm)
Saturday, May 7 (10am – 8pm)
Sunday, May 8 (11am – 6pm)
Artist Load-Out:  Sunday, May 8 (6pm – until)

Wings of the City Art Exhibit
Sep 16 all-day
Falls Park and on the Peace Center
WINGS OF THE CITY
Local news has shared several recent stories about a petition to remove the Wings of the City exhibit. Art can create many different reactions and emotions in viewers, and Hispanic Alliance respects the right to both share these impressions and to be civically active in the community.
We also want to reassure the community that the vast majority of responses to this exhibit have been overwhelmingly positive. Many are full of pride to have a world-renowned artist, and the accompanying tourism, brought to our home. Please read a joint statement from the City of Greenville and Hispanic Alliance regarding the City’s support for Wings of the City, as well as the real intentions behind welcoming this art.
On a personal note, Hispanic Alliance has been deeply touched by the supportive messages and generous donations of those seeking to preserve this art for everyone. We encourage you to see these impressive sculptures in-person! Please visit WingsofGVL.com to learn more, and don’t forget to use the hashtags #WingsofGVL, #AlasdeGVL, and #WingsoftheCity.
Wild Art Sculpture Showcase
Sep 16 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
NC Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.

The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.

The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.

Biltmore: Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty
Sep 16 @ 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Biltmore

Image result for Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty

Included with admission

A unique-to-Biltmore, large-scale outdoor sculpture will be crafted and installed in Antler Hill Village this spring by Patrick Dougherty. Over the last three decades, this internationally-acclaimed artist has combined his carpentry skills and love of nature to build over 300 of these wondrous works, captivating the hearts and imaginations of viewers worldwide.

Image: Close Ties (2006) Scottish Basketmakers Circle, Dingwall, Scotland. Photo: Fin Macrae
NOTE: This is an example of Patrick Dougherty’s work; the artist will create Biltmore’s unique structure in Antler Hill Village this spring.

Once Upon A Time Interactive Art Exhibit
Sep 16 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Upcountry History Museum

The bilingual exhibition (English and Spanish) is a unique and educational experience that emphasizes the importance of reading and the significance of fairy tales throughout history. From an African jungle to a giant’s castle, visitors explore larger-than-life pages of six of the world’s most famous fairy tales: Anansi and the Talking Melon (Ghana), Beauty and the Beast (France), Jack and the Beanstalk (England), Cinderella (France, China), The Elves and the Shoemaker (Germany), and Lon Po Po (aka: Little Red Riding Hood, China).

Entering the exhibit via a magical portal, visitors will be surrounded by an enchanting storybook kingdom. Each tale is brought to life through its own large-scale environment, interactive components, and costumes.

With six storybook settings designed for children ages 3-10 years old and their caregivers, Once Upon A Time will take traditional story time to a new interactive level. The result is a three-dimensional, fully developed world that resonates with young visitors, while still appealing to the grown-ups in their lives who are just as fond of the beloved stories that were a major part of their own childhood.

ArtWalk
Sep 16 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Downtown Spartanburg

 

Spartanburg ArtWalk is a free self-guided tour through participating galleries across Spartanburg’s Downtown Cultural District. Stop by each 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:00 – 9:00 PM to enjoy Cocktails, hor d’oeuvres, and the Spartanburg cultural experience!

When: Each third Thursday of the month from 5:00 – 9:00 pm.

Where: Spartanburg Downtown Cultural District and more!

What: Art, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and the Spartanburg cultural experience.

Why: Galleries and museums stay open late to allow guests to enjoy various exhibitions and art-related activities. If touring the Spartanburg Arts Cultural is on your to-do list, there is no better time to do it than during Spartanburg ArtWalk! Wine. Food. Art. What more could you possibly need?

Spartanburg ArtWalk
Sep 16 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Spartanburg's Downtown Cultural District.

Spartanburg ArtWalk is a free self-guided tour through participating galleries across Spartanburg’s Downtown Cultural District. Stop by each 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:00 – 9:00 PM to enjoy Cocktails, hor d’oeuvres, and the Spartanburg cultural experience!

When: Each third Thursday of the month from 5:00 – 9:00 pm.

Where: Spartanburg Downtown Cultural District and more!

What: Art, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and the Spartanburg cultural experience.

Why: Galleries and museums stay open late to allow guests to enjoy various exhibitions and art-related activities. If touring the Spartanburg Arts Cultural is on your to-do list, there is no better time to do it than during Spartanburg ArtWalk! Wine. Food. Art. What more could you possibly need?

Too Much Fun with Clay
Sep 16 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Edward R. Driggers City of Greer Center for the Arts
True Home Open Mic at Flood Gallery
Sep 16 @ 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.

Friday, September 17, 2021
Call for Entries to the 17th annual Artisphere festival!
Sep 17 all-day
Online

Ranked a TOP 10 Fine Art and Fine Craft festival by the Art Fair Sourcebook and #3 out of 20 finalists in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Art Festival, Artisphere is a signature event on Greenville’s busy cultural calendar that draws both locals and art buying tourists to Greenville, SC’s dynamic downtown.

A supportive, art-loving community, beautiful setting, notable on-site artist amenities and hospitality, and over 500 volunteers make the Artisphere three-day event an enjoyable experience for exhibiting artists and the public alike.

KEY DEADLINES
October 8, 2021: Deadline to submit application.
December 3, 2021: Artist Notification
January 14, 2022:  Acceptance of Festival Participation and Booth Fees Due
February 25, 2022:  Final Date for Cancellation and Receipt of Refund
May 6-8, 2022:  Festival Dates

LOCATION
The Artisphere outdoor festival takes place in Downtown Greenville, SC. Exhibitor booths are located along Main Street.  Greenville is located among the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwest corner of South Carolina on I-85 about halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte.

EVENT DATES AND TIMES
Artist Check-In:  Friday, May 6 (6am – 11am)
Festival Hours:  Friday, May 6 (NOON – 8pm)
Saturday, May 7 (10am – 8pm)
Sunday, May 8 (11am – 6pm)
Artist Load-Out:  Sunday, May 8 (6pm – until)

Reimagined Competition for 2021 Gingerbread Season
Sep 17 all-day
The Omni Grove Park Inn

The National Gingerbread House Competition™

The Omni Grove Park Inn, home of the iconic National Gingerbread House Competition, announced a reimagined Competition for 2021. After a virtual 2020, the Resort is planning to welcome back participants in-person this year, along with an esteemed panel of judges, including renowned Food Network Chef, Carla Hall.

Gingerbread enthusiasts are now encouraged to enter the Competition (find entry details HERE) and begin dreaming up dazzling designs for their confectionary creations. The 2021 Competition will take place at The Omni Grove Park Inn on November 22, 2021.

November 8, 2021: Competitor Entry Form Deadline.

 

November 15, 2021: Digital Content and Description Summary Form Deadline.

 

November 22, 2021: Awards Ceremony and Winners Announcement.

 

December 1-12, 2021: 12 Days of Gingerbread series on The Omni Grove Park Inn social channels highlighting top finalists. Assets will be available.

 

November 2021 – January 2, 2022: In-person Gingerbread Display will be open for public viewing at The Omni Grove Park Inn.

Wings of the City Art Exhibit
Sep 17 all-day
Falls Park and on the Peace Center
WINGS OF THE CITY
Local news has shared several recent stories about a petition to remove the Wings of the City exhibit. Art can create many different reactions and emotions in viewers, and Hispanic Alliance respects the right to both share these impressions and to be civically active in the community.
We also want to reassure the community that the vast majority of responses to this exhibit have been overwhelmingly positive. Many are full of pride to have a world-renowned artist, and the accompanying tourism, brought to our home. Please read a joint statement from the City of Greenville and Hispanic Alliance regarding the City’s support for Wings of the City, as well as the real intentions behind welcoming this art.
On a personal note, Hispanic Alliance has been deeply touched by the supportive messages and generous donations of those seeking to preserve this art for everyone. We encourage you to see these impressive sculptures in-person! Please visit WingsofGVL.com to learn more, and don’t forget to use the hashtags #WingsofGVL, #AlasdeGVL, and #WingsoftheCity.
Wild Art Sculpture Showcase
Sep 17 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
NC Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.

The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.

The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.

Biltmore: Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty
Sep 17 @ 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Biltmore

Image result for Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty

Included with admission

A unique-to-Biltmore, large-scale outdoor sculpture will be crafted and installed in Antler Hill Village this spring by Patrick Dougherty. Over the last three decades, this internationally-acclaimed artist has combined his carpentry skills and love of nature to build over 300 of these wondrous works, captivating the hearts and imaginations of viewers worldwide.

Image: Close Ties (2006) Scottish Basketmakers Circle, Dingwall, Scotland. Photo: Fin Macrae
NOTE: This is an example of Patrick Dougherty’s work; the artist will create Biltmore’s unique structure in Antler Hill Village this spring.

Once Upon A Time Interactive Art Exhibit
Sep 17 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Upcountry History Museum

The bilingual exhibition (English and Spanish) is a unique and educational experience that emphasizes the importance of reading and the significance of fairy tales throughout history. From an African jungle to a giant’s castle, visitors explore larger-than-life pages of six of the world’s most famous fairy tales: Anansi and the Talking Melon (Ghana), Beauty and the Beast (France), Jack and the Beanstalk (England), Cinderella (France, China), The Elves and the Shoemaker (Germany), and Lon Po Po (aka: Little Red Riding Hood, China).

Entering the exhibit via a magical portal, visitors will be surrounded by an enchanting storybook kingdom. Each tale is brought to life through its own large-scale environment, interactive components, and costumes.

With six storybook settings designed for children ages 3-10 years old and their caregivers, Once Upon A Time will take traditional story time to a new interactive level. The result is a three-dimensional, fully developed world that resonates with young visitors, while still appealing to the grown-ups in their lives who are just as fond of the beloved stories that were a major part of their own childhood.

Saturday, September 18, 2021
Call for Entries to the 17th annual Artisphere festival!
Sep 18 all-day
Online

Ranked a TOP 10 Fine Art and Fine Craft festival by the Art Fair Sourcebook and #3 out of 20 finalists in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Art Festival, Artisphere is a signature event on Greenville’s busy cultural calendar that draws both locals and art buying tourists to Greenville, SC’s dynamic downtown.

A supportive, art-loving community, beautiful setting, notable on-site artist amenities and hospitality, and over 500 volunteers make the Artisphere three-day event an enjoyable experience for exhibiting artists and the public alike.

KEY DEADLINES
October 8, 2021: Deadline to submit application.
December 3, 2021: Artist Notification
January 14, 2022:  Acceptance of Festival Participation and Booth Fees Due
February 25, 2022:  Final Date for Cancellation and Receipt of Refund
May 6-8, 2022:  Festival Dates

LOCATION
The Artisphere outdoor festival takes place in Downtown Greenville, SC. Exhibitor booths are located along Main Street.  Greenville is located among the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwest corner of South Carolina on I-85 about halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte.

EVENT DATES AND TIMES
Artist Check-In:  Friday, May 6 (6am – 11am)
Festival Hours:  Friday, May 6 (NOON – 8pm)
Saturday, May 7 (10am – 8pm)
Sunday, May 8 (11am – 6pm)
Artist Load-Out:  Sunday, May 8 (6pm – until)

Reimagined Competition for 2021 Gingerbread Season
Sep 18 all-day
The Omni Grove Park Inn

The National Gingerbread House Competition™

The Omni Grove Park Inn, home of the iconic National Gingerbread House Competition, announced a reimagined Competition for 2021. After a virtual 2020, the Resort is planning to welcome back participants in-person this year, along with an esteemed panel of judges, including renowned Food Network Chef, Carla Hall.

Gingerbread enthusiasts are now encouraged to enter the Competition (find entry details HERE) and begin dreaming up dazzling designs for their confectionary creations. The 2021 Competition will take place at The Omni Grove Park Inn on November 22, 2021.

November 8, 2021: Competitor Entry Form Deadline.

 

November 15, 2021: Digital Content and Description Summary Form Deadline.

 

November 22, 2021: Awards Ceremony and Winners Announcement.

 

December 1-12, 2021: 12 Days of Gingerbread series on The Omni Grove Park Inn social channels highlighting top finalists. Assets will be available.

 

November 2021 – January 2, 2022: In-person Gingerbread Display will be open for public viewing at The Omni Grove Park Inn.

Wings of the City Art Exhibit
Sep 18 all-day
Falls Park and on the Peace Center
WINGS OF THE CITY
Local news has shared several recent stories about a petition to remove the Wings of the City exhibit. Art can create many different reactions and emotions in viewers, and Hispanic Alliance respects the right to both share these impressions and to be civically active in the community.
We also want to reassure the community that the vast majority of responses to this exhibit have been overwhelmingly positive. Many are full of pride to have a world-renowned artist, and the accompanying tourism, brought to our home. Please read a joint statement from the City of Greenville and Hispanic Alliance regarding the City’s support for Wings of the City, as well as the real intentions behind welcoming this art.
On a personal note, Hispanic Alliance has been deeply touched by the supportive messages and generous donations of those seeking to preserve this art for everyone. We encourage you to see these impressive sculptures in-person! Please visit WingsofGVL.com to learn more, and don’t forget to use the hashtags #WingsofGVL, #AlasdeGVL, and #WingsoftheCity.