Saturdays in April
Frosty Farmer Winter Market
Spring has sprung and that means you’ll find even more variety—especially produce—at this sprawling indoor market. This month is Frosty Farmer’s last market for the year, so go early to get the best pick from more than 100 local vendors who offer everything from fresh vegetables, eggs, handmade pasta, and local honey to hand-crafted soaps and jewelry. And they gladly accept SNAP/EBT.
McAlister Square, 225 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville. Apr. 5, 12, 19, & 26, Sat., 9am–1pm. frostyfarmer.com
Apr 1-23
The Charleston Festival
Founded in 1947, this venerable rite of spring has evolved into a celebration of Charleston’s history, architecture, culture, and community. Gain exclusive access to some of the city’s most beautiful homes and gardens, attend concerts and lectures, and take themed walking tours of the city’s churches. You can even sign up to learn the art of sweetgrass basketmaking at this annual fundraiser for the Historic Charleston Foundation.
Various locations in Charleston. Thru Apr. 13, days, times, and prices vary for individual events. Tickets start at $35. thecharlestonfestivalsc.org
Apr 4–20
King James
A delightfully comic play about male friendship, King James explores the role that sports play in our relationships. With basketball as the backdrop, friends Shawn and Matt form a bond based on the fact that both are fans of “King” LeBron James. The play follows the men’s rocky friendship over 12 years, from LeBron’s rookie season to an NBA Championship.
Warehouse Theatre, 37 Augusta St., Greenville. Apr. 4–20, Thurs.–Sat., 8pm; Sun., 3pm. General admission, $35; reserved seating, $40. warehousetheatre.com
Apr 4-6, 15-20 & 29-30
Greenville Drive
April ushers in opening day of the 20th anniversary of the Greenville Drive. Pack up the family, purchase your peanuts and popcorn, and root, root, root for the home team on opening day at Fluor Field, as the Drive revs up against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Later in April, there’s a six-game home series against Winston-Salem, and the team ends up the month playing the Asheville Tourists.
Fluor Field in the West End, 945 S. Main St., Greenville. Apr. 4–6, 15–20 & 29–30, Tues.–Sat., times vary. Tickets start at $9. milb.com/greenville
Apr 4–5, 2025
Hub City Hog Fest
The streets around Morgan Square in Spartanburg will be blocked off to accommodate the dozens of cook teams that come to compete in this annual barbecue event that benefits Mobile Meals of Spartanburg. Count on live music and plenty of samples of pulled pork and ribs. Note that tastes of the competition teams’ barbecue are only available from noon–2pm on Saturday.
Downtown Spartanburg. Apr. 4–5, Fri., noon–11pm; Sat., noon–9pm. Wristbands required, $5. hubcityhogfest.com
Apr 5, 2025
Imagine STEAM Festival
Spark your child’s interest in Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEAM) at this innovative street festival. Designed for pre-K through 12th-grade students and their families, this event features everything from robotics demonstrations to hands-on science activities presented by some of the biggest companies in the Upstate. The goal? To promote lifelong learning and inspire students to pursue careers in the STEAM fields.
Downtown Greenville. Apr. 5, Sat., 11am–5pm. Free. imaginesteamsc.org/upstate
Apr 8
Kelsea Ballerini – Live On Tour
After releasing her debut album, The First Time, in 2015, Kelsea Ballerini made history when she became the only female country artist to hit No. 1 with the first three consecutive singles from a debut album. You won’t want to miss seeing the five-time Grammy nominee take the Peace Center stage, joined by rising young singer/songwriter MaRynn Taylor and English indie pop musician Amber Bain—known professionally as The Japanese House.
Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville. Apr. 8, Tues., 7pm. Tickets start at $46.50. 864.241.3800, bonsecoursarena.com
Apr 12
Mac Arnold Cornbread & Collard Greens Blues Festival
It’s a full day of fun at this Southern-inspired festival. Catch a free concert by Mac Arnold & Plate Full o’ Blues, and stick around for the Jeep Jam. In between, you can feast on collards, cornbread, and other Southern fare and shop for bath products, baked treats, and more made by local artisans at the Spring Market.
Downtown Fountain Inn. Apr. 12, Sat., noon–6pm. Free. mainstreetfountaininn.com/mac-arnold-blues-fest
Apr 12, 2025
South Carolina State Chili Cook-off Championship
Belton will be hot stuff as the state’s annual chili cook-off fires up in City Square. The main event—the chili tasting—starts at 11a.m, so be ready with your tickets so you can vote for the People’s Choice. When you get your fill of chili, check out the live music, crafters and food vendors, and activities for the kids.
Belton City Square, 100 N. Main St., Belton. Apr. 12, Sat., 10am–5pm. $5 for 5 tastes; $20 for unlimited tastes. scchilicookoff.com
Apr 12, 2025
Southern Roots Reunion
More than 35 acclaimed pitmasters and chefs will be firing up their smokers while you get your appetite fired up for a finger-lickin’ good time at Trailblazer Park, complete with wine, cocktails, and live music. Proceeds benefit iDefine, a nonprofit created by Southern Roots founder, Chef Geoff Rhyne, to help families of children with Kleefstra Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.
Trailblazer Park, 235 Trailblazer Dr., Travelers Rest. Apr. 12, Sat., noon–4pm. General admission, $95; kids 6-12, $25 (free for kids under 6); VIP, $200. southernrootsreunion.com
Apr 12, 2025
Spring & Sprout
Looking for an egg-cellent spring event? Hop on over to the Children’s Museum and spend the day celebrating spring. When kids aren’t hamming it up for photo ops with the Easter Bunny, they can snuggle a few real bunnies in the museum’s petting zoo. Eco-friendly art projects and a nature-inspired scavenger hunt round out the fun—in addition to the museum’s three floors of exhibits.
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, 300 College St., Greenville. Apr. 12, Sat., 9am–4:30pm. $16. tcmupstate.org
Apr 12, 2025
Upstate Heart Walk
Catch the beat and join this fundraising walk to benefit the American Heart Association. There are 3- and 1-mile options to suit seasoned athletes as well as folks looking for a fun-filled day of music, activities, and camaraderie. So join a team, line up your donors, and tie on your sneakers to celebrate heart health.
Fluor Field, 945 S. Main St., Greenville. Apr. 12, Sat., 10am. Fundraising goals start at $100. 2heart.org
Apr 13
Taste of the Upstate
As the theme of this year’s Taste of the Upstate, Livin’ la Vida Local means some of Greenville’s best chefs will spotlight local ingredients in bites you’ll get to sample. Come listen to acclaimed Upstate songster Darby Wilcox and vote for your favorite chef at the cooking competition. It’s all to raise money for local charity Loaves and Fishes, a nonprofit that helps combat hunger in our community.
Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville. Apr. 13, Sun., 11am–2:30pm. Check website for ticket info: werescuefood.org
Apr 19, 2025
Reedy River Run
Lace up those running shoes and get pumped for the 47th year of the Reedy River Run, which follows courses through downtown Greenville and ends up at Camperdown Way. Stick around after the race to see the awards presentation, enjoy DJ tunes, and fortify yourself with Jersey Mike’s mini-subs (free for all who finish the race).
Downtown Greenville. Apr. 19, Sat., 10K starts at 7:15am; 5K starts at 8am. 5K, $36; 10K, $45. runsignup.com/Race/SC/Greenville/ReedyRiverRun
Apr 22-27
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
With no less than ten Tony Awards to its credit, Moulin Rouge! bursts onto the Peace Center stage in an eye-popping flurry of glitz—much as the fabled cabaret did during its Paris heyday at the turn of the twentieth century. The spectacular production, based on the 2001 film, relates the story of Christian, a young composer, who falls in love with Satine, the star of the Moulin Rouge.
Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville. Apr. 22–27, Tues.–Sun., times vary. Tickets start at $55. peacecenter.org
Apr 24-27, 2025
Euphoria Spring Fest
April may bring showers, but it also brings the ticket launch for the euphoria festival’s 20th year. Come join in one—or several—of the many events taking place over this four-day preview of euphoria 2025. Expect alfresco wine tastings, celebrity chef dinners, and food- and drink-themed classes, culminating on Sunday afternoon with Roast & Toast at Sitton Hill Farm.
Various locations in Greenville. Apr. 24–27, Thurs.–Sun., times and prices vary. euphoriagreenville.com
Asheville Bread Festival
Hey, all you carb lovers out there: here’s your chance to immerse yourself in all things bread. The festival’s main event, the Bread Fair, rolls out at New Belgium Brewery, where you can chat with local and regional artisan bakers and millers and sample products from breads to pastries. Later in the day, check out the workshops and demonstrations held in various venues in Asheville and Hendersonville.
New Belgium Brewery, 21 Craven St., Asheville, NC. Apr. 26, Sat., 8am–4pm. Check website for ticket info: ashevillebreadfestival.com
Apr 26, 2025
Greer Goes Global International Festival
Spend a day celebrating diversity at City Park in Greer, where you can take a virtual trip around the globe, sampling the sights, sounds, and tastes of the many international cultures represented in the Upstate. Enjoy exotic cuisine, international music, and dance performances. There will even be culturally themed activities for kids.
Greer City Park, 301 E. Poinsett St., Greer. Apr. 26, Sat., 11am–5pm. Free. greergoesglobal.com
Pickens Azalea Festival
Pickens paints the town pink for spring at the city’s annual Azalea Festival. The fun begins on Friday evening with a cruise-in and continues on Saturday with artisans and crafters lining Main Street, a full menu of food, a slate of local bands, and amusement rides for the kids in Legacy Square.
Downtown Pickens, Apr. 25–26, Fri., 6–10pm; Sat., 10am–10pm. Free. pickensazaleafestival.com
Italian American Heritage Festival
Italian music—even some opera arias—sets the soundtrack for the fourth year of this festival, which salutes all things Italian. Bring the family to watch dance performances—tarantella, anyone?—live bands, and delectable food from pasta to gelato. Wash it down with Italian wine and beer, and challenge yourself to enter the spaghetti-eating contest.
Main St., Fountain Inn, Apr. 26, Sat., noon–6pm. Free admission. iahfupstate.org
Apr 26, 2025
Mutt Strut
Get those mutts’ furry butts wiggling for a 2-mile walk/run through downtown Greenville on the annual Mutt Strutt. Besides providing great exercise for you and your pup, the event benefits the Greenville Humane Society, so you’ll help disadvantaged dogs in the process. After the walk, you can enjoy live music, free pizza, and cool giveaways at the Mutt Market festival.
Downtown Greenville. Apr. 26, Sat., 8:30–11am. Adults, $45; children ages 7-12, $20 (children 6 & under, free); seniors (ages 65+), $20. ghsmuttstrut.com
Apr 28, 2025
Greek Wines & Cuisine
Hurry to reserve your spot at the last of four Tour of the Mediterranean spring wine dinners at The Lazy Goat. For this five-course meal, Chef Greg Teal and his staff will present a delicious sampling of traditional Greek specialties, paired with wines from the hillsides of Greece. The reception starts at 6:30p.m., with a seated dinner to follow.
The Lazy Goat, 170 River Pl., Greenville. Apr. 28, Mon., 6:30pm. $125. thelazygoat.com
