Light up the season: Family fun for the week of Dec. 2
There’s a winter wonderland to explore this month, with seasonal fun, music, lights, parades and more. Get Upstate Parent’s full December calendar, including holiday hits, the annual gift guide and inspiring stories at upstateparent.com.
Night of Lights is 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Dec. 2 on Main Street in Greenville. The tree lighting is 6:15 – 6:30 p.m. For details, visit events.greenvillesc.gov/1571/Holiday-Happenings.
Christmas at Heritage Park is Dec. 2 – 4, Dec. 9 – 11, and Dec. 16 – 18. For details, visit facebook.com/events/1810212412676249.
A free screening of the “The Grinch” is at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the TD Stage at the Peace Center. To RSVP and get details, visit peacecenter.org/events.
“Nutcracker: Once Upon a Time in Greenville” is presented by Carolina Ballet Theatre at the Peace Center Dec. 2 – 4. For details, visit peacecenter.org/events.
“A Christmas Carol” is presented by Mauldin Theatre Company Dec. 2 – 11 at Mauldin Cultural Center. Visit mauldinculturalcenter.org.
The Spartanburg Youth Theatre presents “Annie Jr.” Dec. 2 – 4 at the Chapman Cultural Center. For tickets, visit spartanburgyouththeatre.com/upcomingproduction or call 864-582-ARTS (2787).
Miracle at Southernside Holiday Family Fest is 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Dec. 3 at Southernside Brewery. The event includes face painting, juggling elves, magic, children’s entertainment and more. Visit southernsidebrewing.com/events-%26-music.
A Cookies with Santa Party is 1 – 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at Fiction Addiction. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/cookies-with-santa-kids-holiday-party-tickets-449623605307.
The Mauldin Christmas Parade is at 2 p.m. Dec. 3. For details, visit mauldinchamber.org.
The Poinsettia Christmas Parade is at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 on Main Street in Greenville. For details, visit events.greenvillesc.gov/1571/Holiday-Happenings.
The Simpsonville Christmas Parade is at 3 p.m. Dec. 4. For details, visit simpsonvillechamber.com.
A “Frozen” party is at 10 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Five Forks Branch Library. Ages 3 – 10. Visit greenvillelibrary.org.
Dickens of a Christmas is 6 – 9 p.m. Dec. 6 in Spartanburg. The event includes a market, Polar Express train rides, and more. Visit cityofspartanburg.org/dickens-of-a-christmas.
The Gingerbread Jamboree is 6 – 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Center for the Arts in Greer. View gingerbread house contest entries and visit with Santa. Admission is free. Visit cityofgreer.org/828/Cultural-Arts-Events.
Christmas Crafts at Hogwarts for ages 6 – 12 is at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Travelers Rest Branch Library. Visit greenvillelibrary.org.
The Fountain Inn Christmas Parade is at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7. For details, visit fountaininnchamber.org.
A holiday open house for ages 5 and younger is 10 – 11 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Hughes Main Library. It features Christmas stories, crafts, carols, games, and a visit with Santa. Visit greenvillelibrary.org.
The St. Francis Festival of Trees continues through Dec. 26. See the trees in the entranceways of the Courtyard Marriott Downtown (50 W. Broad St. Greenville), Embassy Suites by Hilton – Riverplace (250 Riverplace, Greenville) and Hyatt Regency Greenville (220 N. Main St., Greenville). stfrancisfoundation.com/event/festival-of-trees.
The Greenville Christmas Market is at The Grand Bohemian Lodge through Jan. 1. It includes holiday-themed events, live performances and family-friendly activities, Santa Meet & Greet opportunities and Christmas booths featuring local retailers, artisans, food and beverage and more. Hours and schedules are at greenvillechristmasmarket.com.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” continues through Dec. 11 at South Carolina Children’s Theatre. For tickets, visit scchildrenstheatre.org/rodgers-and-hammersteins-cinderella.
Nutcracker: The Exhibition is open at Upcountry History Museum. The immersive experience will take visitors on a journey from The Nutcracker’s beginnings as a short story, to its artistic interpretations in literature, ballet, theater, and film. For details, visit upcountryhistory.org.
United Community Bank Ice on Main is open through Jan. 16. Get ticket details, hours, and promotional information all season at iceonmain.com.
Looking ahead:
World WONDERLand is Dec. 10 at TCMU-Greenville (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and TCMU-Spartanburg (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.). Tickets are on sale now. From Las Posadas in Hispanic cultures to Omisoka and the Lunar New Year, families can participate in and learn about winter holidays celebrated all over the world. The entire museum will be open for play and have activities, crafts, learning opportunities and more. Santa Claus will also be on hand. For tickets, visit tcmupstate.org/worldwonderland.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Light up the season: Family fun for the week of Dec. 2
