Spartanburg's Holiday Parades & Festivities 2021
Santa Claus is coming to town, and so are a whole parade of Christmas characters, holiday traditions, thematic performances, twinkling lights, and more! Eleven different parades, to be exact.
Spartanburg County is full of holiday attractions for elves of all ages, and we've gathered them all into one place to make your December even simpler.
Well Spartanburg, let's get into it! We've got gifts to wrap and cookies to decorate. Mark your calendars twice for these festive events InTheBurg.
Tuesday, December 7th: DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS
The City of Spartanburg's 27th annual Victorian festival, Dickens of a Christmas, returns this year on Tuesday, December 7th, and this FREE, family-friendly event has something for everyone on Santa's list. Roam downtown Spartanburg on foot (or by horse-drawn carriage,) while enjoying window performances in downtown's small businesses, live carolers and musicians, festive foods, a Christmas Market, kids' activities, s'mores, and more from 6pm-9pm. The event will culminate in the lighting of the Denny's Plaza Christmas tree.
Photos via GoUpstate, Visit Spartanburg (respectively)
PARADES
There's an assortment of parades this year throughout Spartanburg County, each with their own unique performers and decorated floats and cars. Click on each parade's event listing for more details, such as parade routes, post-parade parties, and how to register to participate in your car.
Spartanburg Jaycees Christmas parade; via Visit Spartanburg
Thursday, December 2nd: Light Up Landrum & Parade, 6pm
Saturday, December 4th: Town of Cowpens Christmas Parade, 10am
Saturday, December 4th: Town of Duncan Parade, 10am-5pm
Saturday, December 4th: Light Up Inman & Holiday Parade, 5:30pm-8pm
Saturday, December 4th: Lyman Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, 5pm
Sunday, December 5th: Greer Christmas Parade to Benefit Greer Relief, 2:30pm
Sunday, December 5th: Campobello's Christmas Parade, 3pm
Saturday, December 11th: Pacolet's Holly Jolly Christmas Parade, 10am
Saturday, December 11th: Town of Reidville Christmas Parade, 3pm
Sunday, December 12th: Woodruff Christmas Parade, 3pm
Tuesday, December 14th: Spartanburg Jaycees' Christmas Parade, 6:30pm
HOLIDAY MARKETS
The best way to get your shop on this holiday season is by shopping small! While so many local businesses offer a variety of apparel, home goods, experiences, gift cards, and more, you can also find unique gifting ideas by shopping local holiday markets and creative craft fairs. Here's a handful of annual events happening in Spartanburg...
Friday, December 3rd: Mayfair Art Studios' Holiday Market, 5pm-8pm
This holiday craft fair coincides with Mayfair Art Studios' (1885 Hayne St) December First Fridays event, in the recently renovated, two-story historic mill. Meet Mayfair's 12 resident creatives and tour their studios, in addition to shopping artisan vendors from the Artists' Guild of Spartanburg, while enjoying live music and refreshments. Want to gift an experience to your favorite creative? Mayfair offers hourly studio rentals for music, dance, ceramics, and photography.
Sample of artists' wares from the 2020 Sparkle Holiday Market
Saturday, December 4th: The Sparkle Holiday Market, 9am-4pm
Don your festive sweaters, and head outside for The Sparkle's annual craft fair at FR8yard, (125 East Main St.) The market will feature 25+ local creatives, alongside the dog- and family-friendly biergarten's line-up of craft beer, draft cocktails, and yard bites. Rain date: December 11th.
Saturday, December 4th: Drayton Holiday Artisan Market, 10am-3pm
Drayton Mills' third annual holiday craft fair is back, winding throughout the historic mill campus and 1800 Drayton Catering & Events' Draper Hall, (1800 Drayton Rd.) Drinks and bites will be available from Dray: Bar & Grill.
Friday, December 10th: Woodruff Christmas Stroll, 4pm-8pm
Shop downtown Woodruff's local businesses in a more festive manner, with this designated evening pop-up event, complete with holiday music and decor.
Saturday, December 18th: Bizarre Bazaar: Holiday Edition, 2pm-6pm
Ciclops Cyderi & Brewery's bazaar pop-ups are back, with a family-friendly holiday version in the taproom, (197 East Saint John St.) The FREE local artisan and small business fair will include raffle prizes, followed by karaoke at 7pm.
November 2nd-December 24th: Artists' Collective Spartanburg's Holiday Artisan Market, 10am-4pm
Have you ever wanted to shop an art exhibition? 34 Of the Artists' Collective Spartanburg's creatives are on-display in this annual holiday market, showcasing everything from pottery and jewelry, to fused glass and photography in the collective's main gallery. The market is open during the collective's normal hours of operation, Tuesday through Saturday, with prices ranging from $5-$1,000. Throughout the month, artists will replenish the exhibition as pieces sell, so visit multiple times for additional gift ideas!
FAMILY ATTRACTIONS
Saturday, December 4th & 11th: Santa & the Grinch at Hobo Hollar Farms, 10am-2pm
Get your holiday groceries and take FREE photos with Santa and the Grinch at Hobo Hollar's decorated farmstand, (124 Old Converse Rd.)
Saturday, December 4th: Movies on the Square: Polar Express, 5:30pm-8pm
City of Spartanburg & community partners will present a new, FREE movie series in downtown's Morgan Square. The first movie will be The Polar Express, with a reading of the classic book at 5:30pm by The Children's Museum of the Upstate-Spartanburg, followed by Spartanburg County Public Libraries' screening of the movie. Complimentary holiday snacks are included.
December 7th- January 1st: Toy Land on the Square
As part of the City of Spartanburg's expanded holiday programming this year, Santa's Workshop is coming to Morgan Square, opening during Dickens of a Christmas on Tuesday, December 7th. Find a gingerbread house, North Pole post office, life-size light-ups and photo-ops, and more, within the winter wonderland. Stay tuned for additional "Selfies with Santa" events on Morgan Square.
December 10th-12th: Gaffney's Christmas Laser Light Show, 6pm-10:30pm
If you're looking for a holiday lights display beyond traditional decorated homes, head to downtown Gaffney's Henry L. Jolly Park, (102 Railroad Ave,) for a full weekend of FREE laser light shows. Shows run every 30-minutes.
Saturday, December 11th: Breakfast with Santa @ the Crêpe Factory, 9am-11am
The Crêpe Factory's, (12 South Main St, Inman,) Breakfast with Santa features a seasonal holiday crêpe and peppermint hot chocolate, keepsake ceramic ornament to make and take, and gives each kid quality time with Santa. Take your own photo, or book their professional photographer. Tickets are required in advance.
Saturday, December 11th: The North Pole at TCMU, 9am-3pm
The North Pole is coming to downtown Spartanburg! Join Santa Claus & Co. at The Children's Museum of the Upstate- Spartanburg, (130 Magnolia St,) for photos, holiday crafts and activities, full museum access, a themed story time, and more. Timed-entry tickets are required in advance.
Saturday, December 11th & 18th: Sensory-Friendly Santa Visits, 9am-4pm (by appointment)
Children of all ages and abilities are welcome at Spartanburg County Parks & Recreation's new sensory-friendly visits with Santa Claus at the Lake Cooley Outdoor Education Center, (100 Cooley Dock Rd, Inman.) Visits are reserved in 15-minute time slots, with each visit restricted to your family and Santa, with no music or flashing lights; service animals are welcome. The $20 reservations include a sensory-friendly gift, holiday craft, and refreshments, as well as your pictures taken by staff. Outside cameras are welcome.
Inman Christmas House; photo via Only in Your State, by Nate Darity
November 25th-December 31st: The Inman Christmas House, 5:30pm-10pm
The Christmas House (360 Foster Rd) is celebrating its 48th year of public light displays in 2021, with 115,000 lights on view nightly from 5:30pm-10pm. This year's FREE drive-thru displays include Frozen, Charlie Brown, a life-size nativity scene with live miniature donkeys, and more.
November 19th-January 1st: Hollywild Animal Preserve's Holiday Lights Safari, 6pm-9pm
Hollywild Animal Preserve's (2325 Hampton Rd, Wellford) 31st annual Holiday Lights Safari is fun for all ages, with drive-thru lights displays, a life-size nativity scene, and an Enchanted Deer Forest where herds of animals will approach your car. General admission is $10.
December 12th-23rd: Main Street Trolley Holiday Lights Tour, 8pm
The Main Street Trolley is back, with nightly guided tours through the decorated streets of Spartanburg's neighborhoods. On-board the vintage trolley car, enjoy hot chocolate, Christmas music, and historic story-telling. Tours begin at the Train Depot, (298 Magnolia St,) with tickets required in advance.
December 14th- January 1st: Dreamland Amusements Grand Carousel on Morgan Square
As part of the City of Spartanburg's expanded holiday programming this year, a brand-new attraction is headed to Morgan Square, December 14th through January 1st! The Grand Carousel, presented by Piedmont Interstate Fair Association, will offer FREE rides daily. Minimum height for riders is 36", and riders 36"-42" must be accompanied by an adult.
PERFORMANCES
Thursday, December 2nd: Converse University's Annual Festival of Lessons & Carols, 8pm-9pm
What are the holidays without tidings of good cheer and carols ringing in the air? Converse University invites the public to join the campus community in Twichell Auditorium, (580 East Main St,) for traditional carols and hymns, along with student-read scriptures.
December 3rd-5th: Spartanburg Youth Theatre's Elf the Musical Jr.
What mischief will Buddy the Elf get into in Spartanburg? SYT's holiday musical- entirely performed and run by students in grades 3-12, is a family-friendly performance event you won't want to miss!
Wednesday, December 8th: Wofford College's Candlelight Carols & Winter Lighting Service, 7pm
Wofford College will live-stream their annual Winter Lighting Service from Leonard Auditorium on Facebook, December 8th, featuring carols and performances by all student choirs.
December 10th-12th: Ballet Spartanburg's The Nutcracker
Ballet Spartanburg's annual classic returns for the 56th season this year, in collaboration with the Spartanburg Philharmonic for the first time in 20 years. Follow Clara and the Nutcracker through Tchaikovsky's most beloved Christmas musical score, with four performances at Converse University's Twichell Auditorium, (580 East Main St.)
December 18th: Arts Academy of the Carolina's The Nutcracker, 1pm & 6pm
The Nutcracker returns to Twichell Auditorium the following weekend for an excerpted dance program by the Arts Academy of the Carolina. Tickets for the two showtimes are available in advance for $10 for adults and $5 for children.
December 3rd-4th, 10th-11th, 17th-18th: Inman Theatre's The Nutcracker: The Musical, 7pm
The Inman Theatre offers several children's theatre camps throughout the year, with each week of camp culminating in Friday and Saturday night performances for parents and the community. General admission is $5.
Did we forget an event? Send us an email at Idea@InTheBurg864.com.
Happy Holidays, Spartanburg!