Hike On Month at Beech Mountain
To celebrate its fabulous system of trails, Beech Mountain has declared May as Hike On month. Offering incredible mountain and waterfall views, the trails range from a half-mile to eight miles and accommodate all skill levels. So lace up your hiking boots and get outside. Check in at the Visitor’s Center to sign up for guided hikes and giveaways.
Beech Mountain Visitors Center, 403-A Beech Mountain Pkwy., Beech Mountain, NC. Thru May, daily. 828.387.9283, beechmtn.com/hiking
Thru May 23
Springtime at Biltmore
Spring is in full bloom at Biltmore Estate, and May is your last opportunity to see the estate’s gardens and grounds blazing with a spring spectacle of tulips, daffodils, azaleas, and cherry blossoms. While you’re there, set aside time to check out the display of stunning glass sculptures by world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly.
Biltmore, One Lodge St., Asheville, NC. Thru May 23, daily, times vary. Gardens & grounds only, $60-$85; house & grounds $90-$120. 800.411.3812, biltmore.com
Thru May 19
Nickelodeon: The SpongeBob Musical
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Why, it’s SpongeBob SquarePants! Kids of all ages will love this entertaining frolic, in which SpongeBob’s underwater hometown of Bikini Bottom is threatened by the eruption of a nearby volcano. Enlisting the help of his BFF Patrick and friend Sandy Cheeks, the trio manages to cover the volcano’s dome with an ingenious bubble device and save the day.
South Carolina Children’s Theatre, 153 Augusta St., Greenville. Thru May 19, Fri.–Sun., times vary. $25. 864.235.2885, ext. 103, scchildrenstheatre.org
Thru May 12
Indie Craft Parade Spring Pop-up Shop
Hurry down to this maker’s market to find that one-of-a-kind gift for mom on Mother’s Day. This year, the shop will feature a free crafting station to occupy the kids while you browse the wares of 40 different artisans. Save the date for Saturday, May 4 (11am–3pm), when an outdoor Mini Market will add more than 25 makers to the lineup.
2909 Old Buncombe Rd., Greenville. Thru May 12, Fri.–Sun., 11am–5pm. makerscollective.org
May 3, 17, 24 & 31
Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays
Spring brings crowds out on Friday evenings to NOMA Square for live music, food, drinks, and fun. Bands play two sets of music each Friday (at 5:50pm and 7:40pm), so grab a seat on the square—they go fast—or feel free to bring a camp chair. This month’s lineup includes Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues, Upstate of Mind, Eric Weiler Group, and the soul sounds of Eclectic Band.
NOMA Square, 220 N. Main St., Greenville. May 3, 17, 24 & 31, Fri., 5:30–9:30pm. Free. 864.232.2273, greenvillesc.gov/1322/Greenville-Heritage-Main-Street-Fridays
May 4–Oct 26
TD Saturday Market
If you’ve been dreaming of tender baby carrots and turnips, lettuces and fresh herbs, sweet strawberries, and other spring delights, set your alarm and join the crowd on Main Street who get up early on Saturday morning to get the best pick. Stop and chat with the farmers and makers while you shop for everything from hand-carved cutting boards to handmade granola.
Main St at McBee Ave., Greenville. May 4, 11, 28 & 25, Sat., 8am–noon. 864.467.4494, saturdaymarketlive.com
May 4, 11, 18 & 25
Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive
Presented by Clemson MBA, this weekly event kicks off the weekend early from March to the end of August. Pair your favorite food trucks with great music and make a night of it at NOMA Square. DJ Tambition starts the month off with party music, while May wraps up with the funk stylings of Threesound.
NOMA Square, 220 N. Main St., Greenville. May 4, 11, 18 & 25, Thurs., 5:30–8:30pm. Free. events.greenvillesc.gov/1321/PNG-Downtown-Alive
May 4
Medicinal Whiskey Charity Kentucky Derby Party
Founded by local bourbon enthusiasts to fight childhood illness, Medicinal Whiskey Charity is hosting a Kentucky Derby Party. In addition to watching the Run for the Roses on the big screen, attendees will be treated to a bourbon tasting, tasty bites, and a live performance by The Dirty Guv’nahs. Bardstown Bourbon Company presents the event, which raises money for Clement’s Kindness Fund, Prisma Health Children’s Hospital, and BI-LO Charities Children’s Cancer Center.
Revel Event Center, 304 E. Stone Ave., Greenville. May 4, Sat., 5:30–10pm. $300. medicinalwhiskeycharity.org
May 4
Reedy River Duck Derby
No, you’re not hallucinating—those are thousands of yellow rubber duckies floating down the Reedy River. You can help the Reedy River Rotary Club of Greenville reach their charitable goal of 14,000 ducks for the event’s 20th anniversary by purchasing some of your own rubber duckies to enter in the race. Challenge your creative side by entering the Hat Contest and be sure to stick around for live music, food, and yard games.
Falls Park on the Reedy, downtown Greenville. May 4, Sat., 11am–4pm (race starts at 2:30pm). Single duck, $10; Super Quack Pack of 5 ducks, $30. duckrace.com/Greenville
May 4
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
A tour de force will be with you at this screening of the 1977 film Star Wars: A New Hope, the first film in the Star Wars saga, which was written and directed by George Lucas. Guest conductor Thiago Tiberio will lead the Greenville Symphony Orchestra as they play John Williams’s iconic Oscar-winning score to accompany the film. A must for die-hard Star Wars fans.
Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville. May 4, Sat., 7pm. Tickets start at $91.50. 864.241.3800, bonsecoursarena.com
May 6–Sept 28
Travelers Rest Farmers Market
As the largest independently run, nonprofit farmers market in South Carolina, TRFM averages 70 regular farmers and vendors each week from May through September. You’ll also find food trucks, live music, and yoga classes at the market, which aims to improve the lives of the residents in the Travelers Rest community by offering free classes, chef’s demos, and educational activities for kids.
Trailblazer Park, 235 Trailblazer Dr, Travelers Rest. May 4, 11, 28 & 25, Sat., 8:30am–noon. 864.610.0965, travelersrestfarmersmarket.com
May 7–12 & 14–19, and May 28–June 2
Greenville Drive
May, before the summer heat fires up, is a great month to take in a baseball game. So pack up the family, and root, root, root for the home team at Fluor Field. This month, snag tickets to one of the Drive’s three six-game home series, against the Hickory Crawdads, the Winston-Salem Dash, and the Rome Emperors.
Fluor Field in the West End, 945 S. Main St., Greenville. May 7–12 & 14–19, and May 28–June 2, Tues.–Sun., times vary. Tickets start at $9. 864.240.4528, milb.com/greenville
May 7-12
Mrs. Doubtfire
How far would you go to see your children? Out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard proves he’ll go to untold lengths to be in his kids’ life in this hilarious musical comedy. After losing custody of his children in a messy divorce, he creates the character of Scottish nanny Mrs. Doubtfire. When his wife needs to go back to work, she hires Mrs. Doubtfire to care for the three kids, never suspecting the nanny is her ex-husband.
Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville. May 7–12, Tues.–Sun., times vary. $49-$99. 864.467.3000, peacecenter.org
May 10, 17 & 31
Greenville Liberty Soccer
Sister to the men’s Greenville Triumph USL League One soccer club, the women of Greenville’s pre-professional soccer team kick off the 2024 season at Furman University on May 10 against the Asheville City SC. For the two other home games this month, the Liberty will take on the Birmingham Legion FC (May 17) and the Tennessee SC (May 31).
Paladin Stadium, Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville. May 10, 17 & 31, Fri., 7pm. $11-$35. 864.203.0565, greenvilleliberty.com
May 10–12
Artisphere
You don’t want to miss this one, as the festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this month. Hailed as one of the top fine art festivals in the country, Artisphere spans South Main Street from Broad Street down to Wardlaw Street. The main attraction, Artists Row, displays the curated work of 140 artists in 17 different mediums. Outdoor stages will host live music and dance performances, while activities at the Kidsphere area foster creativity in young aspiring artists.
Main St., downtown Greenville. May 10–12, Fri.–Sun., times vary. Free admission. artisphere.org
May 11–12
Bear Shadow Music Festival
An elevated music festival—literally, at 4,118 feet in the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau—brings world-class music acts to the mountains. Emerge from your winter hibernation to hear an all-star musical lineup of eight bands, headlined by the Grammy-nominated roots duo Black Pumas and the front-porch Southern soul sounds of JJ Grey & Mofro. Tickets include alcoholic beverages and shuttle service from downtown Highlands to the farm.
Winfield Farm, Highlands, NC. May 11–12, Sat. & Sun., performance times vary; gates open at 1:30pm on Sat., and 12:30pm on Sun. Single day, $175; weekend pass, $300. bearshadownnc.com
May 17-19
Greek Festival
Come be Greek for a day as the community of Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral presents the 38th year of everyone’s favorite Greek Festival. Here, you can sample all the best Greek food: gyros, moussaka, keftedes, Greek pastries, and more will be available for pickup and on-site dining. Outside the church, you’ll find grilled kebabs and other specialties, plus live Greek music and traditional dancing demonstrations. Opa!
Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 406 N. Academy St., Greenville. May 17–19, Fri. & Sat., 11am–9pm; Sun., 11am–5pm. Free admission. 864.233.8531, greekforaday.com
May 22–June 9
Spoleto Festival USA
Every spring, Spoleto fills Charleston’s theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with 19 days of opera, theater, dance, and musical performances, thanks to Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti who founded the event in 1977 as a counterpart to the annual Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. This year’s program runs from Grammy winners Brandy Clark and Jason Isbell to legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Afro-Cuban rhythms of conguero and batá drum sensation Pedrito Martinez.
Various venues in Charleston. May 22–June 9. Performance days, times & prices vary. 843.579.3100, spoletousa.org
May 23-June 9
Legally Blonde: The Musical
Never underestimate the power of a woman—especially if she’s blonde. After her boyfriend dumps her, ditzy Valley Girl Elle Woods follows him to Harvard Law School, hoping to win him back. Attending classes dressed in pink with her chihuahua, Bruiser, in tow, Elle doesn’t exactly fit the Harvard mold. Yet, after some significant struggles, Elle buckles down and proves her potential to herself and her peers.
Centre Stage, 501 River St., Greenville. May 23-June 9, Thurs.–Sat., 8pm, Sun. 3pm. $35. 864.233.6733, centrestage.org
May 24–25
Gallabrae–The Greenville Scottish Games
Whether you’re Scottish or not, fire up your clan spirit this Memorial Day weekend for two days of Celtic-themed fun. Round up the kids on Friday evening and head to downtown Greenville for the Great Scot Parade. On Saturday, it’s off to the grounds of Furman University for bagpipe and drumming competitions, Scottish games (caber toss, anyone?) border collie sheepherding demonstrations, a British classic car show, and Celtic food and music.
Parade, Main Street, Greenville. May 24, Fri., 6pm. Free. Scottish Games, Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville. May 25, Sat., event times vary. Adults, $20; children (5-12), $10. gallabrae.com
May 25
Take Flight 5K & 1-Mile Run
Let your feet take flight at these two races, held at the Downtown Airport over Memorial Day weekend. If you hate hills, this is the event to enter; it’s located on the airport grounds and is one of the flattest courses around. Kids can do the 1-mile run while their parents tackle the longer one. Proceeds go toward improving the airport facilities, such as adding a picnic hangar and expanding the on-site park.
Greenville Downtown Airport, 21 Airport Rd., Ext., Greenville. May 25, Sat., 5K, 8am; 1-Mile, 8:45am. 5K, $20; 1 Mile, $12.50. 864.242.4777, runsignup.com/Race/SC/Greenville/TakeFlight5k
