Dickens of a Christmas, Ferris Wheel and more festive Spartanburg events this holiday season

Joanna Johnson, Herald-Journal
·5 min read

Shopping around to find the best deals and perfect gifts are all a part of the Christmas holiday season. But it's also a good time to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy some of Spartanburg's many activities and programs to get you in a festive mood.

After filling up on Thanksgiving turkey, grab some hot chocolate and ugly sweaters to embark on some magical, holiday adventures.

In recent years, COVID-19 restrictions cancelled or altered many Upstate holiday events. Now, there may be more fun than your busy schedule than you can manage. But try your best to make your rounds.

Did we miss an important Christmas event in Spartanburg County? If so, please email me at jjohnson@shj.com and let me know! And be sure to check back for updates through the Christmas and Holiday season.

The City of Spartanburg held the 27th annual "A Dickens of a Christmas" in downtown Spartanburg, Tuesday evening, December 7, 2021. The victorian-themed holiday event included live Christmas music, window displays, horse-drawn carriage rides, and the lighting of the Christmas tree at Denny's Plaza. Holden Guffey holds his daughter Emma, 4, on his shoulders in front of the lit Christmas tree.

A Dickens of Christmas in downtown Spartanburg

Join the City of Spartanburg and its sponsor, Spartanburg Community College, for the annual Dickens of a Christmas. The event is from 6 to 9 p.m., Dec. 6 in downtown Spartanburg.

Activities include Polar Express train rides, holiday markets, horse-drawn carriage rides and much more. The annual Christmas tree lighting will take place at Denny's Plaza at 7:30 p.m.

Communications and Marketing Manager for the City of Spartanburg, Christopher George, said thie festival will be a great way to welcome the community in the holiday spirit.

Attendees are asked not to bring pets or smoke at this event.

Downtown Spartanburg Holiday Ferris Wheel

This holiday season, snuggle up with your friends and family to check out an amazing view on the Holiday Ferris Wheel. Enjoy the sights and lights on this attraction, sponsored by the Piedmont Interstate Fair.

The Holiday Ferris Wheel is free to ride, and will be held Dec. 6-31. The attraction will be located on South Spring Street, in front of the "Love Where You Live" mural, between W. Main and Broad streets.

Here are the run times for the Ferris Wheel:

  • Monday-Friday: 5 p.m. through 9 p.m.

  • Saturday: 12 p.m. through 9 p.m.

  • Sunday: 12 p.m. through 6 p.m.

  • Christmas day: closed

  • New Year's Eve: 12 p.m. through 9 p.m.

The Piedmont Interstate Fair Ferris Wheel is shown on the Spartanburg Fairgrounds.
The Piedmont Interstate Fair Ferris Wheel is shown on the Spartanburg Fairgrounds.

Ballet Spartanburg's: The Nutcracker

Enjoy an annual classic of Ballet Spartanburg's The Nutcracker. The performance will collaborate with set performances with the Spartanburg Philharmonic. Watch Clara's journey through Tchaikovsky’s adored Christmas musical score.

The showing will be held from Dec. 9 through Dec. 11, at the Twichell Auditorium located on the Converse University campus.

Here are the showtimes:

  • Dec. 9: 7 p.m.

  • Dec. 10: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

  • Dec. 11: 3 p.m.

Tickets are available to purchase here.

The Christmas House is lit up for the holidays in Inman, Thursday evening, December 2, 2021. Owners Bill and Sandra Montgomery continue the tradition of a brilliant Christmas lights display at the home, starting on Thanksgiving Day and going through New Year's Eve. The 1.5-acre display is located at 360 Foster Road in Inman.
The Christmas House is lit up for the holidays in Inman, Thursday evening, December 2, 2021. Owners Bill and Sandra Montgomery continue the tradition of a brilliant Christmas lights display at the home, starting on Thanksgiving Day and going through New Year's Eve. The 1.5-acre display is located at 360 Foster Road in Inman.

Inman Christmas House

With a dedicated family-first approach and an army of volunteers, Bill and Sandra Montgomery continue The Christmas House tradition for the 49th consecutive year.

By tradition, The Christmas House goes live on Thanksgiving Day and stays up through New Year’s Eve, every evening, 5:30 until 10 p.m. Located at 360 Foster Road, the 1.5-acre display can easily be seen at night from I-26, between the Inman and Campobello exits.

The Christmas House, known to many as The Blackwell House, features more than 120,000 lights with some displays needing 10,000 lights each. The display features a train that travels 451 miles around the carousel.

Holiday Artisan Market on West Main Street

Buy something for the ones you love and support local businesses at the same time. The Holiday Artisan Market has the perfect, unique gifts to fill wish lists.

The Holiday Artisan Market will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, through Dec, 24, at 578 W. Main St., in Spartanburg. The market also will open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 16 for the Spartanburg Artwalk.

During the Spartanburg Artwalk, there will be a wide variety of selections available to purchase, including jewelry, ceramics, sculptures and more. Live music from local musicians will be performed along with refreshments.

Mistletoe Market at Mayfair Art Studios

Mayfair Art Studios is hosting the Mistletoe Market to support Spartanburg's top-picked, high-quality artisans and crafters.

The market will be held from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Dec. 10, located at the Mayfair Art Studios on 1885 Hayne St., in Spartanburg. The event will be held on the first floor of the studio.

To learn more information, visit the website.

Spartanburg Jaycee's Christmas Parade

The Spartanburg Jaycees Christmas parade always lights up downtown with colorful floats and lights.

The Spartanburg Jaycees are a nonprofit, young leaders development organization striving to make leaders through community service and volunteerism.

The parade is at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 13, located throughout downtown Spartanburg.

Woodruff Christmas Stroll

Woodruff's annual Christmas Stroll lets you enjoy the holiday shopping experience in downtown Woodruff with street-side food and drinks, holiday markets with local vendors, a tree lighting and more.

The event will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2-3, located on Main Street Woodruff. Rain location will be held at 116 S. Main St.

Fork Shoals Christmas Parade

It's time for Christmas in the country. Fork Shoals Christmas Parade kicks off the holiday season by having its 18th annual parade.

Fork Shoals Christmas Parade begins at 3 p.m. Nov. 27 at Fork Shoals Elementary School, 916 Mckelvey Road, Pelzer and ends at Cedar Falls Park, on Cedar Falls Road.

Town Of Reidville: Christmas Parade & Old Fashioned Festival

The town of Reidville is hosting a Christmas movie-themed parade this year. The parade will also host many activities for friends and families, including contests, games, Santa pictures and more.

The parade will begin at 3 p.m. on Dec. 10, located on Main St., Reidville. The festival will last until 8 p.m.

Greer Christmas Parade: A Toyland Christmas

Mark your calendar and get ready for Greer's annual Christmas parade. The theme this year is Santa's workshop, so get ready to see floats decked out as your favorite toys.

The parade will be held at 2:30 p.m., Dec. 4. The parade route is 1.1 miles long, starting at Poinsett Street and Memorial Drive and ending at N. Main Street and Cunningham Drive.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Dickens of a Christmas, Ferris Wheel and more Spartanburg events