Fall is my second favorite season. It makes the bittersweet passing of summer just a little bit easier. As August comes to a close and fall officially begins, I pack up my swimsuits with a heavy heart. But then I remember pumpkin beer. Plus Greenville has some pretty great autumns.
Lots of festivals to head to and plenty of outdoor activities to experience in the slightly cooler weather. So if this is your favorite season, then Greenville has you covered. Here are 20 things to do in Greenville in fall.
Want to see what’s happening this weekend or month? Check out my Greenville Events Calendar!
Updated for 2023
Looking for my other guides? I’ve broken down spring, summer, and winter as well!
City Events & Festivals
Fall for Greenville
October 13-15, 2023
I think it’s safe to say that Fall for Greenville is the fall festival in town. This weekend long event takes over the city. Several blocks of Main Street are closed off and, if the weather is nice, there are some serious crowds.
But what is Fall for Greenville? It’s basically a food and music festival (which is why I stuck it in thsi category. Over 40 restaurants come and set up tents along Main Street. You can then purchase (with tickets) items from each. Some items are small, just a bite. While others are much larger (think like a turkey leg).
There are also 7 stages scattered around the festival and, my favorite, a craft beer garden (usually down McBee). The festival is free to attend to but you’ll need to buy tickets for the food and drinks.
Read Next: Beginner’s Guide to Fall for Greenville
Main Street Fridays
Fridays from March 17, 2023 through September 29, 2023
5:30pm-9:30pm
One thing I love about Greenville is how often the city blocks off parts of main street for various events. And the tradition continues on Friday nights (if Thursday night didn’t quench your thirst for live music). As with Downtown Alive, the entry and music are free, but don’t forget your cash for food and drinks.
Arts, Crafts, & Music
Fidelity Moonlight Movies
Every Thursday Night in September & October
6:00pm-10:00pm
Want to watch a free movie in Falls Park? Yep every Wednesday evening in May and September you can catch a free movie right in Falls Park. There’s even a special Halloween edition in October. The movie itself is projected on a huge screen and starts once it gets dark out.
You’ll want to bring your own chairs and/or blankets. They’ll be a food truck on site but if you want to drink, it’s BYOB. Just make sure to purchase a wristband ($1) first. What kind of movies do they show? The classics. Ranging from Alfred Hitchcock to The Goonies to Jurassic Park (my favorite).
Music in the Woods
Every Saturday in September & October
2:00pm-4:00pm
This fall music event in Paris Mountain State Park is back! Head the park’s amphitheater for the live music (near the Visitor Center). And though the music is free, you will need to pay admission to enter the park (or if you have the state park pass, you’re good to go). Feel free to bring food, coolers, dogs (on a leash), and your family.
Upstate Renaissance Faire
September 8, 2023: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
September 9, 2023: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
For years I went to the small renaissance fair in Greenville, but it permanently ended a few years ago. This year I heard of another local fair happening in Greer. And though I will be out of town and unable to attend, I’m excited that it might be returning to the area!
Indie Craft Parade
Friday, September 15, 2023: 6-9pm
Saturday, September 16, 2023: 9am-6pm
Greenville has an amazing arts scene. There seems to be an event every season celebrating our local artists, and fall is no different.
The Indie Craft Parade is a weekend event showcasing amazing artists and craftsmen from around the region. Though it does have an entrance fee, this is a great way to shop local and support our artists.
Travelers Rest Harvest Market
Every Thursday night in October: 5:30pm-8pm
Small Business Saturday Market – November 25, 2023: 12-3pm
Head out to Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest for the town’s fall market. You can expect local vendors, food trucks, and live music at this harvest market. The Travelers Rest Farmers Market in the summer is one of my favorites and I’m excited to head to their fall markets!
TD Saturday Market
Saturday Mornings, May-October: 8:00am-12:00pm
Join the crowds downtown on Saturday Mornings to find everything local. Greenville blocks off a couple blocks of Main Street for various vendors. Here you can buy vegetables, fruits, plants, meats, cheeses, fresh pasta, jewelry, crafts, and more. You’ll find a bit of everything here – this is not your standard farmer’s market.
The last market in October is the Autumn Harvest where children can participate in a costume contest and trick or treat with the vendors.
Albino Skunk Music Festival
October 5-7, 2023
With a description like “the best music festival in South Carolina” you know right off the bat what you’ll find here. This tri-annual event features some of the best Americana, Folk, Roots, and Bluegrass artists, plus a whole lot more. And you can camp there for just $35. Ticket prices are a lot more (~$50-~$150), but I love that you can stay there all weekend for a very low price.
Open Studios
November 11-12, 2023
This annual event opens the studios of local artists to the public in order to provide free and easy access to the arts, create a community of artists, and to encourage dialogue between artists and the public.
This year the format will be a bit different. Instead of a weekend event, Open Studios is organized around a self-guided tour. The tour will feature 133 artists and studios can be found in Greenville, Easley, Greer, Travelers Rest, and Simpsonville.
The artists will choose their own hours, so be sure to make an appointment or participate virtually through Open Studio’s YouTube and app.
Punk Flea Market
Not yet scheduled for 2023.
Are you in the market for some super cool, weird, and/or vintage gifts, decor, clothing, and like other odd stuff you can’t event think of? Then these flea markets may be for you.
Renaissance Fair
September 30 through November 19, 2023
Saturdays & Sundays ONLY: 9:30am-5:30pm
This is my chance to dress up, watch some jousting, shoot a bow, and eat some turkey legs.
Greenville’s small Renaissance Fair was cancelled and isn’t coming back. But there’s a larger one up in Charlotte every fall.
And yes, I do dress up. If you’re looking for one with tons of different events, I would consider the Charlotte one. But definitely get there early since traffic can be a pain.
Read Next: 5 Tips for Your Visit to the Carolina Renaissance Fair
Food + Drink
Oktoberfest Celebrations
Can’t make it to a larger Oktoberfest celebration? (I know we all wish we could be in Munich.) Don’t worry, you can still get your German on in Greenville.
There are several different celebrations to choose from. And be sure to check out your favorite brewery in town in case I’ve forgotten one in my list below!
- Tetrad Brewing | September 16 | This dog friendly brewery (inside and outside) is one of our favorites. Details coming soon.
- Fireforge’s Oktoberfest | September 22-24 | I accidentally stumbled upon their Oktoberfest celebration in 2018 and had a great time. So much so that I knew I had to include it in my guide going forward.
- 13 Stripes Oktoberfest | September 25-October 1 | Beer releases start on Monday, food specials on Thursday, and then the main event is Sunday (live music, vendors, and contests). Just remember no dogs are allowed
- Pangea’s Oktoberfest | September 30 | Located near Unity Park, this celebration will feature $5 beers, food specials, soft pretzels, sausages, games, and more!
- Greenville Oktoberfest | October 6-7 | 11am-10pm | Located in Noma Square, Greenville City’s Oktoberfest is a small but lively event. Plus the city closes off an entire block of Main Street for the event.
Find all of the Oktoberfest Celebrations in Greenville
Sippin’ Safari
Fri, September 1, 2023
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
So I love our local zoo. Actually, now that I think about it, I love almost all zoos. And I’m especially crazy about red pandas (my favorite at the zoo). So when I discovered that our local zoo had a special wine event, I signed up.
Sippin’ Safari is a ticketed event that features over 40+ wines, appetizers, and live music. I loved strolling around the zoo trying all the wine. Plus the animals become more active at dusk. Just be sure to have a designated driver or Uber there and back. You will be trying lots of wines and you will probably get a bit tipsy.
Read Next: Getting My Wine On At Sippin Safari In Greenville, SC
The Great Southeastern Beer Festival
Saturday, September 9, 2023
12:00pm-4:00pm
Second annual craft beer festival at The Silos featuring samples from 17 different breweries (around 80 beer varieties total). VIP access will give you an extra hour and a chance to try rare and limited edition brews. Tickets start around $30.
Euphoria
September 14-17, 2023
Want something a little bit more upscale than Fall for Greenville? Enter Euphoria. This 4 day ticketed event features multi-course dinners, tastings, wine seminars, small concerts, cooking demonstrations, and more.
One of the objectives for Euphoria was to “create a destination event for food, wine and music lovers across the country.” And I believe they’ve succeeded. But know that this is not a cheap festival (though you can buy separate tickets for the events you want to go to).
VIBE
Saturday, September 23, 2023
2:00-5:00pm
Or the Very Independent Beer Event brought to you by Community Tap. Before you scroll on, realize that this isn’t your normal beer festival. With limited tickets, this is an exclusive event. It’ll feature world class, rare pours that are paired with some chef-inspired nibbles.
If rare craft beer is your thing, then this festival might just be yours.
Hops & Herons Beer Festival
Saturday, September 30, 2023
3:00pm – 6:30pm
Though I have never been to this festival (and I can’t this year as well), I love Conestee Nature Preserve and I love beer. How could this not be a good time? From their website: “Enjoy unlimited beer samples from local breweries along with live music and food trucks in our scenic Henderson Meadow!”
Greenville Craft Beer Festival
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Greenville has its fair share of beer festivals. Heck, I try to go to one every summer. But this was my first beer festival in Greenville. Hosted at Fluor Field there are SO MANY BREWERIES HERE.
Literally you will not be able to taste everything. We weren’t even able to meet our goal of trying at least one beer from every brewery (though we did give it our best shot).
And this festival has all kinds of beers from IPAs to Pilsners to Lagers to Ales. I like to use this festival to try beers from new breweries. Several years ago this was where I discovered Catawba and the White Zombie (one of my favorites to this day).
Drink Some Pumpkin Lattes & Pumpkin Beer
Fall is the season of pumpkin. And it’s my favorite type of beer I might add. It’s so delicious. And pumpkin-y. Plus pumpkin spiced lattes. But I go for ones from my local coffee shops.
So I’ve created a fall drinking guide to help you find all of the pumpkin and fall-themed drinks you can handle.
Read Next: Your Fall Drinking Guide in Greenville
Halloween
It’s fall which means it’s also Halloween! This is one of my favorite holidays (if not my all time favorite). I love dressing up. I love throwing parties. I love going on haunted tours. I love haunted houses. And I love going to halloween events.
Haunted Houses
If you love being scared, I would check out Mad World. It’s not cheap, but the production value is great. I’ve had a great time. There’s also Nightmare Dungeon and several others in the area!
- Nightmare Dungeon: “If you’re looking for haunted haunted houses or trails in SC, Nightmare Dungeon is the best and scariest by far , the most terrifying haunted house in the upstate…”
- Mad World: Voted one of the top 10 scariest attractions in America. But they also offer NoScare & Family Fun as well if you’re not into being scared out of your mind.
- Nightmare Hollow: 30+ minute haunted trail, “voted as one of South Carolina’s scariest haunts…”
9 Haunted Houses in Greenville, SC and the Surrounding Area
Halloween Parties
Below is a list I’ll put together of all the Halloween parties I hear about. As it’s still the summer, it’ll be empty-ish to start and fill in the closer we get to Halloween.
Halloween Weekend
- Howl-O-Ween Doggy Parade & Bash | The Dapper Dog | Dog parade and costume contest.
Halloween Laser Shows
Friday, October 20
Friday, October 27
Roper Mountain Science Center is hosting two spootakular Halloween Laser Shows to get you ready for Halloween! They’ll be featuring two frightful shows: Laser Halloween and Laser Stranger Things! Tickets are $8.
Ghost Tours
Greenville Ghost Tours | Dates vary but there are a lot of days offered | 8pm | A 90-minute walking tour of downtown Greenville with a certified paranormal investigator. | $25
Greer Ghost Tours | Fridays & Saturdays in October | 2 tours a night | With two different tours to enjoy, “Ruffians & Scoundrels” and “Murder & Mayhem,” you’re sure to learn lots about the area’s spooky past. | $12 (adults) & $6 (kids)
Trick or Treating
Boo in the Zoo | October 18-22: 3pm-8pm | October 25-30: 3pm to 8pm | Want to go trick or treating at the Greenville Zoo? Heck yes. If I was a kid, this would be amazing. Plus there’s a whole lot more than just trick or treating.
Trick or Treat at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate | October 29: 9am-5pm | I’ve never gone to this trick or treat, but I have gone to an adult’s night at the museum. And it was super fun. If you have kids of your own, think about this one! Not yet scheduled for 2023.
Trick or Treat on Earle Street | Each year on Halloween, some of the best trick or treating around can be found on Earle Street in the North Main neighborhood. These houses go all out! Think live music sounding from porches, hundred of families decked out in their finest costumes, and some of the best Halloween decorations I’ve ever seen.
Outdoor Activities
Zoom Through the Zoo
November 18, 2023
8:00am-12:00pm
If running is your thing, then check out this 5K that makes a loop through the Greenville Zoo. Plus there are LOTS of other running events in the fall to check out.
The Best Running Events in Greenville, SC
Apple Orchards, Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches, & Sunflowers
There are fall festivals galore this time of year at your local farms and orchards. Think hay rides, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches.
Apple pie, applesauce, apple cider, caramel apples, and apple donuts. I always go apple picking each fall. And if I don’t get lost in a corn maze, is it even fall yet?
Where To Go Apple Picking Near Greenville, SC
So here are some spots to get that fall farm feel:
- Sky Top Orchard: apple picking, hay rides, & apple cider doughnuts
- Denver Down Farms: pumpkin patch, corn maze, & loads more at their fall festival
- Stewart Farms: pumpkin patch, corn maze, & wagon rides (no pets allowed)
- Fishers Orchard: fall festival
- Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard: apple picking, pumpkin patch, & corn maze
- Strawberry Hill USA: pumpkin patch, hayrides, apple cider slushies, & corn maze
- Grandad’s Apples: apple picking, pumpkin patch, & corn maze
- Little Cane Creek Farm: corn maze, hayrides, & pumpkin patch
- Greyrock Farm: corn maze & pumpkin patch
- Nix Pumpkin Patch: pumpkin patch
- Jeter Mountain Farm: apple picking
- Coston Farm: apple picking
- Justus Orchard: apple picking
- Windy Hill: apple picking
- Chattooga Belle Farm: apple picking
- Bryson’s Apple Orchard: apple picking
Oh and did you know you can also pick sunflowers in early September? I love me some Sunflowers, and Beechwood Farms has some glorious ones.
Hike Paris Mountain
Time to get your fall on! And for me that means more hiking. Because hiking in the summer can be brutal. I’ve done it, but it’s always a sweaty affair. But in the fall it’s glorious.
If we’re just in the mood for a quick jaunt on an afternoon, we’ll head to Paris Mountain State Park. Less than 20 minutes away, we can be out of the house and on the trails in about half an hour.
I’ve done several of the trails including Lake Placid, Mountain Creek, and the Brissy Ridge Trails. Plus in the fall, you can usually catch some music in the afternoon on Saturday.
Read Next: Where to Go Hiking in Paris Mountain State Park
Bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail
Cooler weather means I can actually bike the swamp rabbit trail without getting heat exhaustion and wanting to die. This is one of the things to do in Greenville.
The trail runs from Greenville up to Traveler’s Rest (for about 20ish miles). If you’re not into biking then know that you can walk parts of it too.
There are a lot of business on the route so if you need to grab something to eat (Swamp Rabbit Cafe) or a beer (Birds Fly South Brewery), then have no fear.
Dog Events
Since adopting Ellie, I’ve started to pay so much more attention to all of the dog events that occur each year. Here are some of the ones comping up this fall! And for more dog friendly events every week, check out Dog Friendly Greenville.
Waggin’ At The Waterpark
September 9, 2023: Discovery Island
September 16, 2023: Otter Creek
Want to go to the waterpark with your dog?! Then pencil in this end-of-the-season event! Discovery Island Waterpark and Otter Creek Waterpark each open their park to the dogs for some good water fun. And there are separate play times for small dogs and big dogs. Your dog must be 3 months old and have their vaccinations (documentation required).
Ultimutt Race
September 30, 2023
The UltiMutt Race is a 5k obstacle course race for you and your dog to complete together. You’ll run the course with your dog (on a leash) and go through a series of obstacles (think a crawl, ramps, slides, weaves, and more). There are competitive and fun run categories to suit all levels!
Halloween Dog Events
- October 29: Howl-O-Ween Doggy Parade & Bash @ The Dapper Dog
Waggin’ Wednesday
Wednesdays games during the hockey season
Do you want to catch a hockey game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena with your dog? Thanks to the Noble Dog Hotel, you can now bring your dog to a hockey game!
Fall Road Trips
Day Trip to Gorges State Park
Want to hike to see a pretty impressive waterfall? Then head to Gorges State Park!
It’s located right over the border in North Carolina (about an hour and a half away). Ryan and I went one year in early November. It was cool enough that I wore a long sleeve shirt, but that was it. Perfect fall hiking weather.
And the main standout at the park? Rainbow falls! This is the main hike in the park and is only about 3 miles (roundtrip). And the falls themselves are pretty impressive!
Smoky Mountains
Some of the most impressive fall colors can be seen in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As well as an auto tour up to the Newfound Gap, there are lots of hikes, waterfalls, and wildlife watching available. Just be sure to go early in the fall. At the high elevations, the leaves will turn early!
Apple Picking in Hendersonville
Hendersonville, NC is a wonderful little town between here and Asheville. And along with their amazing restaurant and brewery scene, so many amazing apple orchards and farms abound. It’s easy to make this a full day trip.
Catch the Fall Foliage at Caesar’s Head
More hiking! (Can you tell this is my favorite season for hiking?) And Caesar’s Head State Park is not a bad choice. Ryan and I have done the Raven Cliff Falls hike (sadly before I bought my camera) which is about 4 miles roundtrip.
Not into hiking? Just head to the main overlook behind the visitor center to catch one of the best views around.
Sporting Events
Swamp Rabbits Hockey Game
Opening Game: October 21, 2023
Okay so you know Greenville has a very popular minor league baseball team, but what about hockey? Meet the Swamp Rabbits. Though the name has changed over time, I still love to go and watch a game. (Hockey being one of my favorite sports to watch in person.) And with lots of tickets for under $20, it can be a great date night.
Clemson Football
This is obviously what a lot of people look forward to when they hear the word fall. And this is Tiger country. I hope you like the color orange.
When I was a graduate student, we went to a handful of games a year. Since then we’ve gone back a couple of times to tailgate and watch some football. Since South Carolina doesn’t have a professional team based in the state, college football is the football here. You gotta embrace it.
So much great information, especially for newcomers! Thank you.