Start Halloween a bit early and then dine out for a good cause. Family fun for the week of Oct. 20

Chris Worthy
·4 min read

This week, the Halloween fun abounds, plus “Coco” is at the Peace Center, “Frozen” takes the stage in Greer, and there’s no need to cook on Thursday – Dine Out for Mom and make a difference. Get the details on these events and much more at upstateparent.com.

To include your organization’s family friendly events in Upstate Parent, email chris@worthyplace.com.

Disciples Pumpkin Patch is 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Mondays – Saturdays and noon – 7 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 31 at Disciples United Methodist Church in Greenville. Find pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes. Sales benefit United Methodist Missions and the Navajo of New Mexico where the pumpkins are grown. For details, visit mydisciplesumc.org or call 864-297-0382.

Afternoon Explorations are 1:30 – 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays at Roper Mountain Science Center. For details, visit ropermountain.org.

Denver Downs Fall Festival continues Thursdays – Sundays through Nov. 12 at Denver Downs Farm. For details, visit www.denverdownsfarm.com.

Denver Downs
Denver Downs

Halloween Laser Shows are at Roper Mountain Science Center at 4:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Advance ticket purchases are required. For details, visit ropermountain.org.

Oktoberfest is at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Burdette Central in Simpsonville. The event includes kid-friendly activities. For details, visit safiarts.com/oktoberfest-2023.

Disney’s “Frozen Jr.,” presented by Greer Children’s Theatre, is Oct. 20 – 22 and Oct. 27 – 29 at the Cannon Centre. For tickets, visit greerculturalarts.com.

Music in the Woods is 2 – 4 p.m. Saturdays in October at Paris Mountain State Park. For details, visit southcarolinaparks.com/products/10003660.

Boo in the Zoo continues Oct. 20 – 22 and Oct. 25 – 30 at Greenville Zoo. This family-friendly Halloween event features trick-or-treating and specialty areas including Dragon Alley, Alice's Fun House, Ghost Town and an extinct species graveyard. For timed tickets and event details, visit greenvillezoo.com/260/Boo-in-the-Zoo.

Lake Robinson Day is 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Oct. 21 at the lake (2544 Mays Bridge Road, Greer). Attendees can expect a free lunch for those who pre-register, tree giveaway courtesy of TreesUpstate, blood drive and rain barrel workshop. (The rain barrel workshop is the only cost associated with this event.) More than 25 exhibitors will be in attendance providing free kayaking, inflatables and education about litter prevention, stormwater runoff, recycling, pollinators, water safety and sustainable living. For more information and links to register for food, the rain barrel workshop or blood drive, visit greercpw.com.

Storytime Ballet: The Day the Crayons Quit is at 10 a.m. Oct. 21 at the Five Forks Library and at 11:30 a.m. at the Hughes Main Library. This is a story-based performance with dancers from the International Ballet. Best for ages 3 and older. Visit greenvillelibrary.org.

Croft's Neewollah Weekend is Oct. 21 at Croft State Park. Activities are offered for all ages, including trick-or-treats, a hayride and more. For details, visit southcarolinaparks.com/products/10004033.

Free Family Day is 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Oct. 21 at Spartanburg Science Center. For details, visit spartanburgsciencecenter.org.

A free, family-friendly Halloween party is at 11 a.m. Oct. 21 at Southernside Brewing. For details, visit eventbrite.com/cc/nightmare-before-miracle-southernside-2597119.

Disney Pixar’s “Coco” Live-to-Film Concert on Tour is at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Peace Center. The event features a screening of the complete film with composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed by the 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México. For tickets, visit peacecenter.org.

Auditions for Spartanburg Youth Theatre’s performance of Disney’s “The Lion King Jr.” are 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Oct 23 and 25 at Chapman Cultural Center. Auditionees should only audition one of the two nights and may arrive at any time during the 2-hour block. SYT welcomes youth in grade 3 – 12 to audition. Audition requirements and details are at spartanburgyouththeatre.com/auditions.

Let There Be Mom’s 17th Annual Dine Out for Mom is at more than 145 restaurants across the Upstate on Oct. 26. Participating restaurants will donate 20 percent of their sales from the entire day to help preserve the legacies of Upstate parents with life-threatening illnesses. Dine in, carry out, catering and gift card purchases are included. For details, visit lettherebemom.org.

Get tickets now for TCMU Trick-or-Treat events:

  • TCMU-Greenville and TCMU-Spartanburg – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Oct. 28. Come in costume and collect candy while winding your way through SPOOK-tacular exhibits. This is a fundraiser event at both locations. All guests, including members, must purchase a ticket to attend. For tickets and details, visit tcmupstate.org/trick-or-treat.

  • Sensory-Friendly Trick-or-Treat at TCMU-Greenville – 10 a.m. – noon or 1 – 3 p.m. Oct. 29. For this special event, children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy a quieter TCMU Halloween experience, while trick-or-treating or playing throughout museum exhibits. Museum exhibits will be modified to provide a sensory-friendly experience where possible. Capacity will be significantly limited per time slot. For details and tickets, visit   tcmupstate.org/trick-or-treat.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Start Halloween a bit early and then dine out for a good cause. Family fun for the week of Oct. 20