20+ Things To Do In Greenville In Summer

Oh summer. Barbecues, fireworks, swimming pools, sundresses, long days, and warm nights. As kids we all yearned for this one season and then bemoaned it when it had past. And that feeling has never left me.

Summer is my favorite season. And Greenville has some pretty amazing summers. Living here, I’ve always had something to do and summer is no different. So, without further adieu, here are 20+ things to do in Greenville in Summer.

I’ve broken these events and activities into categories (as best as I can), so just jump to the topic that interests you to see my suggestions.

Updated for 2023!

Looking for my other guides? I have ones for fall, winter, and spring too!

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City Events

Downtown Alive

Thursday, Mid-March-August: 5:30pm-8:30pm

Head to Noma Square on Thursday nights to get your fix for live music. Food vendors and beer trucks will also be on site if you want to get your Thirsty Thursday on. While Downtown Alive officially starts in March, it runs throughout June, July, & August. Which is why I always think of it as a summer event. And while the event is completely family friendly, my personal observation is that there are more adults here sans kids than on Friday nights (Main Street Fridays – see below). Think like happy hour with live music.

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Main Street Fridays

Fridays, Mid-March-September: 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.

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Celebrate July 4th Downtown

TBD

Going to be in Greenville for Independence Day this year? Don’t miss the annual July 4th celebration. Bring a blanket and picnic and head to Unity Park to celebrate July 4th this year!

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Arts, Crafts, & Music

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 – not just fruits and vegetables. This is not your standard farmer’s market.

Discover the Best Farmers Markets in Greenville

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Travelers Rest Farmers Market

Saturday Mornings, May-September: 8:30am-12:00pm

Another of my favorite farmers markets is held up in Travelers Rest. You’ll find the usual vegetables, fruits, and meat from the local farms. And there’s also usually some crafts as well if you’re looking for any gifts.

But one of my favorite events is the Tomato Sandwich contest. This event is held over one Saturday in the summer. Local restaurants submit their best tomato sandwiches and the attendees get to taste test and vote. It doesn’t cost much and is one of my favorite summer activities. Check the market’s events to see when the contest is.

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Upstate Shakespeare Festival

May 25 through July 30
Thursday through Sunday during the run of each show
Starting Time: 7:00pm

Every summer the Warehouse Theatre puts on two plays in Falls Park for free. Each play runs for several weeks (4 shows a week). There is a gap between the two shows so make sure to check their schedule to see the exact dates (and what show you’ll be seeing).

One year I saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream (my favorite Shakespearean) play and loved it. Though we were quite a bit back from the stage (bring chairs!), I heard the play clearly. They also handed out a brief synopsis when we arrived so we could follow what was going on in case the Old English got to be too much.

2023 Shows: The Merry Wives of Windsor & Macbeth

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Zoo Fest

June 10, 2023: 11am-8pm

Head to the Greenville Zoo for the first annual all-day family-friendly music festival. See all the animals while listening to live music and participating in tons of kid-focused activities like face painting.

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The Really Good, Really Big, Really Cheap Book Sale

August 11-13, 2023

This is one of my favorite events every summer. Each August the Greenville Literacy Association hosts a gigantic book sale. And it’s really huge. It’s set up at McAlister Square in Greenville which I think used to be like a mall. They have fiction, non-fiction, cooking, travel, audio books, and more. Like so much more. If you’re into reading, definitely check it out.

My favorite day is Sunday. Fill up a grocery sized brown paper bag (which they supply) for like $10 per bag. And they hold like tons of books.

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See a Show at the Peace Center

Beat the heat and head indoors to catch one of the Peace Center shows. One year Ryan and I saw Riverdance during the summer and in years past it had shows like The Lion King, Finding Neverland, The Book of Mormon, Cats, and more.

And if heading indoors doesn’t call to you, they do have several shows at their outdoor TD Stage along the the river. Check out the White Claw Concerts in July. You’ll need a ticket.

You can’t beat sitting by the river and listening to some music.

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Food + Drink

Tacos ‘n Tequila Fiesta

​TBD

If you love tacos (who doesn’t??), especially creative ones and you have a hankering for some craft cocktails, do I have the festival for you! But don’t wait, this event always sells out early. Book asap for one of the best food + drink festivals all year.

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Fireforge Anniversary Weekend

June 17-19, 2022

In 2022 Fireforge (one of my favorite breweries in town) turns four years old. And this year they’ll celebrate all weekend long. There will be food, music, beers, and lots of fun to be had. If I’m in town, I love stopping by this annual event. However be aware that Fireforge is not dog friendly during their events.

The Best Breweries in Greenville

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Birds Fly South Anniversary Funk Collective Festival

TBD (but probably in August)

In 2017 & 2019, I went to Funk Collective Festival at Birds Fly South (my favorite brewery in town). And I loved it. And while I think that Covid put an end to the festival, they now have an anniversary party in the summer as well. Expect beer from other breweries, music, vendors, and more.

Read Next: Funk Collective Festival [A Review]

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Restaurant Week

TBD (but usually in August)

I look forward to this every year. I scope out the place I want to go and usually already have my meal picked out before I walk in the door. And Greenville has 2 restaurant weeks a year! One in January and one in August.

One January I scored a seat at the bar at American Grocery (RIP) and had one of the best meals of my life. Now I always make sure to hit up those fancy places I tend to save for special occasions.

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Enjoy Greenville’s Rooftops & Patios

Greenville used to be lacking in the whole rooftop scene. But they’ve really started to get it together over the last couple of years. And they’ve definitely stepped up their game with the patios and decks. Below are some of my favorites but there are a whole lot more (especially if you consider sidewalk seating as well).

Rooftops:

• Ink & Ivy
• Sip
• Up on the Roof
• WXYZ at Aloft
• Juniper
• Hoppin’

Patios/Decks:

• Community Tap
• Universal Joint
• Roost
• The Lazy Goat
• Soby’s
• Jianna
• Foxcroft Wine Co. Greenville
• Passerelle Bistro

Read Next: The Best Romantic Restaurants in Greenville

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Beer Gardens

Greenville’s brewery scene is expanding at an amazing pace. In fact for one of my birthdays, I had my boyfriend take me on a self-guided tour of my favorite breweries. And summer is peak beer garden season. All of the breweries below have some kind of outdoor seating you can take advantage of.

• Birds Fly South
• Southernside Brewery
• Liability Brewing
• Fireforge Crafted Beer
• 13 Stripes Brewery
• Think Tank Brew Lab
• Pangaea Brewing
• Carolina Bauernhaus

Read Next: Best Breweries in Greenville

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Outdoor Activities

Red, White, & Brew 5k

June 30, 2021: 6:30pm

I think their slogan says it all: “Celebrate this day of FREEDOM with STARS, BANNERS, and BEER!” This race takes place at Brewery 85 and you’ll get a free beer. Be prepared to sweat though as a 6:30pm start time is still a hot time of the day.

Discover the Best Running Events in Greenville, SC

Experience Main Street

Walking along Main Street is an activity I enjoy any time of the year. But there’s something special about summer. The downtown stays hopping until well into the night. And it just seems alive. Street musicians on every corner. The outdoor seating of my favorite restaurants humming with activity. And it just seems welcoming.

Need to escape the heat? Duck into one of the many local stores that dot the street. One of my favorites is M.Judson Books.

The Best Dog Friendly Restaurants in Greenville, SC

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Visit Falls Park

How many cities have a waterfall in the middle of their downtown? I’m going to guess not a lot. The Falls is the centerpiece to the city in my opinion. And I always end up in Falls Park on a walk through town. There’s something magnetic about it. The waterfall is a destination for every season.

If you want to dip your toes in the water, please do so at the base of the waterfall. Make your way down the hill (under the Liberty Bridge), pick a shady spot by the bank, and relax your feet in the cool water.

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Cleveland Park & the Swamp Rabbit Trail

Cleveland Park is one of the main downtown parks. It’s got the zoo, tennis courts, pavilions, playgrounds, and the swamp rabbit trail runs right through it. It’s a major gathering spot for Greenville (especially on the weekends).

Packing a picnic and finding a shady spot to enjoy is perfect for a summer day. Then you can head along the trail into town and find yourself at Falls Park.

Biking the trail may be considered the quintessential Swamp Rabbit Trail activity, but I would probably recommend that as a fall or spring activity. (If I’m biking in the summer, I’m a hot, sweaty mess.)

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Swim at Paris Mountain

Paris Mountain State Park is a great destination any time of the year. But heading there on a hot summer day to take a dip in the cool lake might just be perfect. Swimming is only allowed at Lake Placid in the designated area (and there is a lifeguard). Check the park’s website for details on admission prices.

Read Next: The Best Hikes in Paris Mountain State Park

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Pick Some Blueberries, Peaches, Sunflowers, or Lavender

If you love a good u-pick farm, then Greenville has you covered.

First summer is the season of the blueberry and the peach. And luckily there are two places outside of town you can head to this summer to grab some local, fresh-off-the-vine fruit. These two places offer a pick-your-own fruit experience. Blueberry season runs from May to August and peach season from July to August.

For blueberries, checkout the following:

• Blueberry Hill
• The Happy Berry
• Blueberry Hill (Traveler’s Rest)
• Bar W Ranch & Blueberry Farm
• Callaham Orchards
• Gentry Farms

For peaches, check out Fisher Orchard.

For sunflowers, check out Denver Down’s South Carolina Sunflower Festival. It’s held over three weekends in June and July. Or checkout Beechwood Farms where I went sunflower picking a couple of years ago.

Head to Twin Creeks Lavender Farm from May 26 through July 2nd on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for some lavender. The u-pick is open from 9am to 2pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (as well as July 3rd & 4th). You can purchase your tickets in advance. Dogs are not allowed.

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Sporting Events

Greenville Drive Baseball Game

Games are at home every other week or so May through September.

You might think a minor league baseball game might not be all the rage. But going to the games is a major thing to do. (I showed up once at the ticket office only to discover the game was sold out. I kid you not.)

In fact, I’ve never been to a game that didn’t have a size-able number of people there – regardless of the day of the week. But my favorite night to go? Thursdays for dollar drink night. Oh yea.

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Greenville Triumph or Greenville Liberty

Triumph: March-October (2-3 games per month)
Liberty: May-July (~7 home games)

If baseball isn’t your thing, then check out Greenville’s soccer teams. I’ve been to a Greenville Triumph game and really enjoyed it. And for those families with soccer aficionados, this is a perfect way to get them their fix locally.

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Trips

Day Trip to Traveler’s Rest

Escape Greenville for a day and head up to Traveler’s Rest. This little town has really taken off. Below are some things you could get up to:

• Grab breakfast at Tandem
• Check out the Farmer’s Market on Saturday Morning
• Rent a bike at Sunrift Adventures and head out on the Swamp Rabbit Trail
• Check out some local shops: The Carolina Honey Bee Company, My Sister’s Store, Prowse on Main, Swamp Rabbit Tees, Silver Lily Boutique, and more
• Grab a beer at the Swamp Rabbit Brewery or a glass of wine at The Tasting Room
• Improve your golf swing at Spring Park Golf Range
• Head to dinner at Sidewall or Farmhouse Tacos (other good options include the The Monkey Wrench)
• Finish the day with ice cream at Pink Mamas

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Head to Lake Jocassee

There are three big lakes within about an hour of Greenville: Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee, and Lake Jocassee. My favorite is Jocassee. Situated in the mountains and almost completely surrounded by undeveloped lands, this is an escape. You can go swimming, fishing, hiking, kayaking, or boating.

Don’t have a boat? No problem! Rent a canoe on your way there from Sunrift Adventures (Traveler’s Rest) or at Lake Jocassee (provided by Eclectic Suns).

You can also go on a boat tour that’ll take you to all of the waterfalls (they are kind of spread out).

Read Next: Boat Camping at Lake Jocassee AND Discover the Waterfalls at Lake Jocassee

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Go Camping

Camping is one of the quintessential summer activities. Campfires, s’mores, hiking, swimming, tents, and more. Escaping into the wild is something that seems to call to us as the weather warms. Below are some of the parks in the surrounding Greenville area that have camping.

• Devil’s Fork State Park
• Table Rock State Park
• Paris Mountain State Park
• Keowee-Toxaway State Park
• Sadlers Creek State Park
• Oconee State Park
• Lake Hartwell State Park

Note: I actually prefer to camp in the spring or fall. But I’m a bit of an outlier with that. And I can’t argue that camping in the summer is a huge thing to do down here.

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So Greenville, are you ready for summer?