Aug 29–Sept 8
Upper South Carolina State Fair
Every member of the family will find fun at the Upper SC State Fair. Little ones will love the petting zoo and the Anastasini Big Top Circus, while thrill seekers can be as adventurous as they dare on rides in the Carnival Midway. See amazing feats by the Strongman and watch as Rocketman Valencia, the Human Cannonball, goes flying out of a cannon.
Greenville Pickens Speedway, 3804 Calhoun Memorial Hwy., Easley. Aug. 29–Sept. 8, daily, times vary. Gate admission, $10; admission & rides ticket, $35. uppersouthcarolinastatefair.com
Thursdays in Sept-Oct
Moonlight Movies
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and round up the family for cinematic fun on Thursday nights in September. Held in Falls Park, Moonlight Movies is a free event, with food trucks and Poppington’s Popcorn on-site, so you can picnic under the stars. (Pro tip: get there early to play trivia before the movie.) If you plan to bring alcohol, you’ll need to purchase a wristband for $1.
Falls Park, 351 S. Main St., Greenville. Sept. 5, 12, 19 & 26, Thurs., movies start at dusk. Free. Check online for what’s showing: greenvillesc.gov/1324/World-Finance-Moonlight-Movies
Thursdays in Sept
Music in the Park
On Saturday nights in September, Trailblazer Park Amphitheatre is the place to be for free concerts under starry skies. Line up at the food trucks starting at 6pm, and enjoy a picnic dinner before the music starts. The series kicks off with Pickin’ in the Park, featuring seven of the Upstate’s best bands. Next up is Itchy and the Chiggers (Sept. 14), followed by the Celtic Music Fest (Sept. 21).
Trailblazer Park, 125 Trailblazer Dr., Travelers Rest. Sept. 7, 14, & 21, Sat., 7pm. Free. 864.834.8740, travelersrestsc.com/music-in-the-park-concerts
Sept 3-8
Greenville Drive
This month, you have six chances to catch the Drive’s final series of games as the Drive takes on the Winston-Salem Dash at Fluor Field. Be sure to snag your tickets so you can root for the home team one more time before you have to say goodbye to the local baseball season until next year.
Fluor Field in the West End, 945 S. Main St., Greenville. Sept. 3–8, Tues.–Sat., 7:05pm; Sun., 3:05pm. Tickets start at $9. 864.240.4528, milb.com/greenville
Sept 5–22
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Life on the corporate ladder isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be, as you’ll see in this laugh-packed, Tony Award-winning musical. Find out J. Pierrepont Finch’s secret to success as he advances from window washer to executive. It seems anything is possible when you follow the handbook How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
Greenville Theatre, 444 College St., Greenville. Sept. 5–22, Thurs.–Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 3pm. $40. 864.233.6238, greenvilletheatre.org
Sept 6–7
Boomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL
With a mission of “promoting, preserving, perpetuating, and encouraging the arts, culture, and heritage in WNC,” the free Boomtown Festival debuts this month in Asheville. Performances, storytelling, exhibits, workshops, vendors, and a parade are just some of the highlights. Held in collaboration with LEAF Global Arts and the Asheville Symphony, the event concludes on Saturday evening with Symphony in the Park.
Pack Square and Pack Square Park, Asheville, NC. Sept. 6–7, Fri., 3–10pm; Sat., 10am–7pm. Free. boomtownfestavl.com
Sept 6–7
South Carolina Apple Festival
Home to six apple orchards, Oconee County is the largest apple-producing region in the state, so it’s only fitting that Westminster hosts the annual Apple Festival. Main Street will be lined with craft and food vendors, while the Gazebo stage hosts cloggers and live bands. There’s even a rodeo on Saturday night. Don’t forget to stop by the local orchards’ booths to stock up on everything apple.
Main St., Westminster. Sept. 6–7, Fri.–Sat., times vary. Free. scapplefestival.com
Sept 6–7
Upstate Renaissance Faire
If you’re nostalgic for a time when knights defended the honor of fair maidens and fire-breathing dragons roamed the land, get thee to the Upstate Renaissance Faire in Greer. Don your best medieval attire and plan to watch armored knights compete against one another, listen to the music of roaming minstrels, and enjoy entertainment by puppeteers and jesters. Hearty feasts will be on hand to satisfy the most kingly of appetites.
Greer City Park, 298 Jason St., Greer. Sept. 6–7, Fri., 5–10pm; Sat., 10am–8pm. Free. upstaterenaissancefaire.com
Sept 6
Sippin’ Safari
This annual fundraiser for the Greenville Zoo promises to be a wild night. Delight in an evening of strolling past Masai giraffes, orangutans, ocelots, and lemurs—to name a few of the zoo’s denizens—as you sample a wide array of wines, paired with hors d’oeuvres provided by local restaurants. Must be 21 or older to attend.
Greenville Zoo, 150 Cleveland Park Dr., Greenville. Sept. 6, Fri., 6:30–9:30pm. $75. 864.467.5704, greenvillezoo.com
Sept 11–29
The Lion King
Hakuna matata: follow Timon and Pumbaa’s advice and forget about your cares at this captivating musical, which is returning to the Peace Center. Incorporating magical puppetry and unforgettable music, it’s no wonder The Lion King snagged six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. No worries if you’ve seen it before; this wonderful, uplifting show never fails to delight audiences.
Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville. Sept. 11–29, Tues.–Sun., times vary. $30-$130. 864.467.3000, peacecenter.org
Sept 13–Oct 6
Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apt 2B
What happens when American Joan Watson rents a room in a London apartment occupied by Sherley Holmes? A lot of laughs, for starters, as this play by Kate Hamill takes a look at Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous sleuth and sidekick through an irreverent, feminist lens. Join the antics as two newly acquainted roommates band together to solve crimes.
Warehouse Theatre, 37 Augusta St., Greenville. Sept. 13–Oct. 6, Thurs.–Sun., times vary. General admission, $35; reserved seats, $40. 864.235.6948, warehousetheatre.com
September 14–29
Balloonacy
Indulge your children and your inner child at this one-person clown show. When a single red balloon drifts in through a window, laughs are the result as actor Jesse Siak illustrates the ups and downs of building a friendship. Witness the hilarious power of play as he clowns around without speaking a word.
South Carolina Children’s Theatre, 153 Augusta St., Greenville. Sept. 14–29, Sat. & Sun., times vary. $15. 864.235.2885, scchildrenstheatre.org
Sept 14
Dierks Bentley: Gravel & Gold Tour
Named for his eighth studio album, released in early 2023, Dierks Bentley’s Gravel & Gold Tour brings the award-winning country singer/songwriter to the Upstate. Bentley got his big break in 2003, when his first album, containing the chart-topping single, “What was I Thinkin’, went platinum. Come sit under the stars at Heritage Park to hear this member of the Grand Ole Opry belt out some of his biggest hits.
CCNB Amphitheatre, 861 S.E. Main St., Simpsonville. Sept. 14, Sat., 7pm. Tickets start at $70.75. ccnbamphitheatre.com
Sept 19-22
Euphoria
Greenville’s premier food, wine, and music festival presents the opportunity to experience the city’s food scene up-close through wine tastings, bike picnics, cocktail classes, songwriters’ concerts, and dinners hosted by local and guest chefs—including several boasting Michelin stars. The revelry continues through Sunday evening, when the 2024 South Carolina Chef Ambassadors whip up Sunday Supper at the Barn at Sitton Hill Farm.
Various locations in Greenville. Sept. 19–22, Thurs.–Sun., times and prices vary. 864.617.0231, euphoriagreenville.com
Sept 21
Apple Fest and Season Finale
Get to the core of all things apple at the last edition of the Travelers Rest Farmers Market for the 2024 summer season. Celebrate the apple harvest, along with 85 vendors, live music, and kids’ activities, and punch it up with themed products from apple-scented soaps to apple-shaped earrings. Take home homemade apple pies, apple cider, apple cider donuts, and apples by the bushel.
TR Farmers Market, 235 Trailblazer Dr., Travelers Rest. Sept. 21, Sat., 8:30am–noon. travelersrestfarmersmarket.com
Sept 21
Hootie & The Blowfish
Music lovers from South Carolina know this home-grown rock band, whose four members met while attending USC. Famed for the soulful voice of singer Darius Rucker, Hootie & The Blowfish has won myriad awards, including two Grammys for the group’s first album, Cracked Rear View (1994). Featuring special guests Collective Soul and Greenville son Edwin McCain, this show is bound to sell out.
Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville. Sept. 21, Sat., 7pm. Tickets start at $119. 864.241-3800, bonsecoursarena.com
Sept 26–29
… And Getting Caught in the Rain
Don’t miss the world premiere of this play by Ashley Wettlin, one of the winners of Centre Stage’s 20th Annual New Play Festival. Watch what happens when Tilly and Barney, two strangers with more than two decades between them in age, take a road trip together. With seemingly little in common, the duo develops a deep bond based on their desire for family healing and a love for “The Piña Colada Song” by Rupert Holmes.
Centre Stage, 501 River St., Greenville. Sept. 26–29, Thurs.–Sat., 8pm; Sun., 3pm. 864.233.6733, centrestage.org
Sept 27–29
Food & Wine Classic Charleston
For the first time, the folks that brought you the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen are bringing a version of this blockbuster food event to the Lowcountry. Tyler Florence, Stephanie Izard, Maneet Chauhan—some of the most dynamic talent in the food world will be converging in the Charleston area, teaming up with local chefs in curated experiences from tastings to tailgates.
Various locations in Charleston. Sept. 27–29, Fri.–Sun., times vary. Weekend passes, $2,450. foodandwineclassicincharleston.com
Sept 27–28
Project Host BBQ Cook-Off
Help fight food insecurity in our community at this fundraiser for Project Host’s culinary programs. Friday brings the Anything Butt Contest, where cooks compete to make the best appetizers, sides, and desserts. The main BBQ event takes place on Saturday, when you can sample the ‘cue and stay for the announcement of the winner at 1:30pm. Live music and a Kids Zone play area are reasons to bring the whole family.
Fluor Field at the West End, 945 S. Main St., Greenville. Sept. 27–28, Fri., 6–10pm; Sat., 11am–2pm. Free admission ($2 apiece for food and beverage tickets). projecthostbbq.org
Sept 27
Bourbon & Bacon Fest
Bourbon and bacon? Sign us up! Pairing more than 100 of the best bourbons and whiskeys from large and small distilleries with bacon-themed bites is a winning ticket—but don’t make a pig of yourself. A benefit for Upstate-Carolina Adaptive Golf, the Bourbon & Bacon Fest promises to spark your taste buds with some deliciously creative combinations.
The Foundry at Judson Mill, 701 Easley Bridge Rd., Greenville. Sept. 27, Fri., 7:30–10:30pm. $60. bigtickets.com/e/the-foundry/BourbonandBacon
