Apr 25–May 18
Matilda The Musical
Based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s book, this musical tells the story of Matilda Wormwood, a highly intelligent girl with telekinetic powers. Faced with neglectful parents at home and a tyrannical headmistress at school, Matilda rallies her strength to challenge bullies and stand up to injustice. With the help of her beloved teacher Miss Honey, Matilda discovers that real strength comes from being true to yourself.
South Carolina Children’s Theatre, 153 Augusta St., Greenville. Apr. 25–May 18, Fri.–Sun., times vary. $25. 864.235.2885, scchildrenstheatre.org
May 1 thru Oct
BridgeWay Station Farmers Market
You don’t have to wait until the weekend for farm-fresh vegetables. The second year of the farmers market at BridgeWay Station starts on the first of this month, bringing dozens of vendors to the piazza of this Italianate village. Stick around after you shop to have a burger in the City Market Food Hall or sip a cocktail on Rocco’s rooftop bar.
BridgeWay Station, 1000 Via Corso Ave., Simpsonville. May 1–Oct., Thurs., 4–8pm. bridgewaystation.com
May 1–18
Waitress
Trapped in a loveless marriage and suddenly finding herself pregnant, protagonist Jenna aims to escape her woes by entering a pie contest in a neighboring county. Will she be able to summon the courage to leave her abusive husband, find love, and realize her dream of opening her own pie shop? The only way to find out is to get tickets to this hit musical.
Centre Stage, 501 River St., Greenville. May 1–18, Thurs.–Sat, 8pm; Sun., 3pm. $35. 864.233.6733, centrestage.org
May 1, 2025
Mocktails & Munchies Tasting Party
Summer’s almost here and that means patio parties. Make your gathering special with ideas for refreshing cocktails and mocktails, and healthy appetizers to go with them. You’ll learn everything you need to know from Chef Veera Gaul at this tasting party at Oil & Vinegar. The class includes food, a spritzer, and 15% off purchases made in the shop that evening.
Oil & Vinegar, 220 N. Main St., #203, Greenville. May 1, Thurs., 6–7:30pm. $25. 864.241.6689, oilandvinegarusa.com
May 2–3
South Carolina Strawberry Festival
You’re sure to have a berry good time at this annual event in Rock Hill that celebrates all things strawberry. Join in the fun in the strawberry donut-eating and the strawberry ice-cream-eating contests, listen to bands performing on the Amphitheater stage, and chow down on the strawberry food menu. Just be sure to buy some berries to take home.
Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White St., Fort Mill. May 2–3, Fri., 5–10pm; Sat., 10am–10pm. Free admission. scstrawberryfestival.com
May 3 thru Oct
TD Saturday Market
The first market of the season is always special, reconnecting with your favorite farmers and vendors and browsing the just-picked bounty of area fields. Join the Saturday morning crowd on Main Street as you fill your shopping bags with local eggs, meat, honey, and such spring delights as baby vegetables, lettuces and greens, fresh herbs, and sweet strawberries.
Main St. at McBee Ave., Greenville. May 3 thru Oct., Sat., 8am–noon. saturdaymarketlive.com
May 3, 2025
Reedy River Duck Derby
No, you’re not hallucinating—those are thousands of yellow rubber duckies floating down the Reedy River. It’s all part of the Reedy River Rotary Club of Greenville’s effort to raise money for area charities, and you can help by purchasing your own rubber duckies to enter in the race—the winner gets a year of free groceries. Afterwards, stick around for live music, food, and yard games.
Falls Park on the Reedy, downtown Greenville. May 3, Sat., 11am–4pm; race starts at 2:30pm. Single duck, $10; Super Quack Pack of 5 ducks, $30. duckrace.com/Greenville
May 4, 2025
Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock Live
If you grew up watching Fraggle Rock, this is your chance to see Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley, and Boober Fraggle reunited. Come along on the adventure as the Fraggles hunt for the Celebration Stone, rumored to have the power to bring everyone together for the greatest party of all time. Mechanized Doozers and giant Gorgs are just a couple of the new puppet creations from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville. May 4, Sun., 1pm. $25-$55. 864.467-3000, peacecenter.org
May 4, 2025
Tacos ’n Tequila Fiesta
Round up a posse of friends and head to Judson Mill for a Sunday of fun when some of the area’s best bartenders and chefs go head-to-head in a battle to create the best cocktail, taco, or “taco sidekick.” Tickets to the fiesta include all-you-can-eat tacos, not to mention handcrafted Lunazul Tequila cocktails (and non-alcoholic beverages, too).
Judson Mill, 701 Easley Bridge Rd., Greenville. May 4, Sun., 2–5pm. General admission, $60; VIP, $85. tacotequilafiesta.com
May 6, 2025
Kids Classic
Play golf for a great cause in the 37th year of the Kids Classic Clarence Edwards Golf Tournament. Participants will play 27 holes on one of six Upstate courses—including the sponsoring Green Valley Country Club—while raising money for nonprofit The Meyers Center, which provides education and therapy to children with disabilities to help them reach their potential.
Various Upstate locations. May 6, Tues., times vary. Single sponsorship starts at $450. meyercenter.org/kids-classic
May 8–11
LEAF Global Arts Retreat
This family-friendly gathering celebrates art, music, culture, and community. Nature plays a big part, too, as the festival is held on the banks of lovely Lake Eden. In addition to dozens of musical acts, there will be dance performances, puppetry shows, circus performers, and crafts for the kids. Music headliners include Dumpstaphunk from New Orleans, Asheville-based singer/songwriter Tyler Ramsey, and instrumental group Toubab Krewe.
Lake Eden, Eden Lake Rd., Black Mountain, NC. May 8–11, Thurs.–Sat., times vary. Tickets for individual events start at $50; day & weekend passes available. theleaf.org
May 9-11, 2025
Artisphere
Hailed as one of the top fine art festivals in the country, Artisphere brings 140 artists across all mediums from 33 states to downtown Greenville for its 21st year. In addition to Artists Row, where participants will display their wares, featuring everything from jewelry and ceramics to paintings and sculpture, the festival will host live music and dance performances, plus a Kidsphere area for budding creatives.
Main St., downtown Greenville. May 9–11, Fri.–Sun., times vary. Free admission. artisphere.org
May 13-18
Back to the Future: The Musical
Adapted for the stage by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, creators of the sci-fi trilogy of Back to the Future films, this musical transports the audience back to 1955. You may recall from the first film that high school student Marty McFly travels back in time with help from eccentric scientist Doc Brown and his DeLorean time machine. Come see it all again, this time set to music on the stage.
Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville. May 13–18, Tues.–Sun., times vary. Tickets start at $55. 864.467.3000, peacecenter.org
May 14, 2025
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 2025 season at Furman University on May 14 against One Knoxville. In two other home games this month, the Liberty will take on the Tennessee Soccer Club and the Chattanooga Red Wolves.
Paladin Stadium, Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville. May 14, 16 & 20, Wed., 7pm. $11-$35. greenvilleliberty.com
May 16–18
Greenville Greek Festival
Be Greek for a day as the community of Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral presents another year of everyone’s favorite Greek Festival. Members of the church cook up some of the best Greek food in town: moussaka, keftedes, dolmades, Greek pastries, and more will be available for pickup and on-site dining. Outside, you’ll find gyros, souvlaki, and Greek-style ribs, plus vendors, Greek music, and demonstrations of traditional dance. Opa!
Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 406 N. Academy St., Greenville. May 16–18, Fri. & Sat., 11am–9pm; Sun., 11am–5pm. Free admission. greekforaday.com
May 21, 2025
Books Over Drinks with Kevin Wilson
“Utterly indelible” is how The Washington Post describes Kevin Wilson’s books, which include Now Is Not the Time to Panic and Nothing to See Here. M. Judson brings the bestselling author to Greenville to talk about his newest novel, Run for the Hills, in which an unexpected road trip brings together a string of half-siblings. Tickets include a cocktail and a copy of the book.
Judson Booksellers, 130 S. Main St., Greenville. May 21, Wed., 7:30–9pm. $40. mjudsonbooks.com
May 23 – July 25
Amp’d Up Fridays
Get summer off to a rockin’ start with this free outdoor concert series. Bring a lawn chair and create a picnic dinner by purchasing food, beer, and wine, from food trucks on-site. A different live band plays each week, encompassing music styles from beach to country and pop to rock. Wristbands (free with ID) required to consume alcohol.
Mauldin Cultural Center, 101 E. Butler Rd., Mauldin. May 23–July 25, Fri., 6:30–9:30pm. Free. mauldinculturalcenter.org/events/festival-season
May 23-June 8, 2025
Spoleto
Opera, dance, theater, music—you can see it all at Spoleto, thanks to Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti who founded the Charleston event in 1977 as a counterpart to the annual Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. This year’s festival brings together a panoply of performers from acclaimed saxophonist Branford Marsalis to punk rock pioneer Patti Smith.
Various venues in Charleston. May 23–June 8. Performance days, times, and prices vary. spoletousa.org
May 23-24
Gallabrae–The Greenville Scottish Games
Dust off your kilt and fire up your clan spirit this Memorial Day weekend for two days of Celtic-themed fun. The festivities start downtown on Friday evening with the Great Scot Parade. On Saturday, head to Furman University for bagpipe and drumming competitions, Scottish games (caber toss, anyone?), and Celtic food and music. The bairns will appreciate activities just for them at Wee Scotland.
Parade, Main Street, Greenville. May 23, Fri., 6pm, free. Scottish Games, Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville. May 24, Sat., 11:30am–7:30pm. Adults, $20; children (5-12), $10. gallabrae.com
May 30-31, 2025
Greenville Jazz Fest
Calling all jazz buffs: don’t miss this free festival in downtown Greenville. Over the two days of the event, you’ll hear genres from New Orleans jazz and swing tunes to big band music and Latin jazz. Feel free to join in the Second Line parade that kicks off the festivities each day.
Main St., Greenville. May 30–31, Fri. & Sat., check website for event times and music lineup. Free. greenvillejazz.com
May 31-June 1, 2025
Don Quixote by International Ballet
You won’t want to miss this premiere: for the first time, Don Quixote will be performed in its entirety in Greenville. International Ballet brings principal dancers Melissa Gelfin and Rafael Quenedit from the Cincinnati Ballet to star in the charming romantic ballet, based on Miguel de Cervantes’s classic novel. The performance also features 51 new costumes and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra performing the Ludwig Minkus score.
Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville. May 31–June 1, Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 3pm. $25-$85. 864.467.3000, peacecenter.org
