A holiday visit to Greenville, S.C. means fun, festivity and frivolity with arts and community events and small-business holiday specials.
The city, about two hours from Atlanta, offers a homegrown, cozy and warm atmosphere for travelers seeking a merry getaway. In downtown Greenville, bustling shoppers, carolers and ice skaters remind business owner Veera Gaul of Christmastime in New York City, but with warmer temperatures.
“It’s like going down Fifth Avenue, but you’re not going down Fifth Avenue, you’re going down this beautiful little town’s Main Street,” said Gaul, who owns Oil & Vinegar (www.oilvinegar.com) in downtown Greenville.
Local theaters and performing arts groups add to the seasonal action and offer additional reasons to visit this Upstate South Carolina town. Some venues are located in downtown Greenville, making it easy to combine a matinee or night at the theatre with shopping, ice skating and other holiday activities.
“Greenville showcases local talent, hosts touring troupes and presents other performing arts events during the holidays. The theater scene is robust in the town of more than 61,000 residents,” said Allison Fields, marketing and development director at Centre Stage, a professional theater company in downtown Greenville.
Centre Stage kicked off its 2015 holiday performances with “Let It Snow,” a nostalgic comedy following the antics of an eccentric 1950’s English family of vaudeville actors as they gather over Christmas. It runs Thursday-Sunday until Dec. 19 (prices vary, 864-233-6733, www.centrestage.org, @centrestagesc).
The Peace Center—or Greenville’s “equivalent of the Fox Theatre,” according to Fields— has a 2,100-seat concert hall, a 400-seat theatre and an amphitheater. The Greenville Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday at Peace concert and Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas concert are highlights during December at the Peace Center (prices vary, 864-467-3000, www.peacecenter.org, @peacecenter).
The Greenville Symphony Orchestra’s Dec. 18-20 performance will be led by conductor and feature husband-wife Broadway vocal duo Gary Mauer and Beth Southard. On Dec. 22, Grammy Award-winner Chip Davis’s Mannheim Steamroller will dazzle the audience with holiday songs featuring its unique sound and special effects that light up the stage.
“People really get the new and the varied here and that’s what makes Greenville so interesting; we really try to keep things fresh and different,” Fields said.
Greenville Little Theatre— Upstate South Carolina’s oldest and largest community theatre—is currently treating younger audiences to traditional tales. Performances by the Greenville Little Theatre (prices vary, 864-233-6238, www.greenvillelittletheatre.org, @GLTFriend) include “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: The Holiday Musical” (Dec. 16-19) and “A Christmas Carol” (Dec. 11-20).
The holiday classics get a twist at The Warehouse Theatre (prices vary, 864-235-6948, www.warehousetheatre.com, @WarehouseGvl). “Christmas on the Rocks,” which runs Wednesday through Sunday until Dec. 20, focuses on the kids from classics such as “A Christmas Story” and “Miracle on 34th Street” years after their youthful holiday happenings. They “walk into a bar on a cold, winter’s night and we get to revel in their middle age insights,” according to the “Christmas on the Rocks” description.
“For there to be a huge production house like The Peace Center coupled with a variety of professional and community theaters, it is really good for a town our size. It’s special,” Fields said.
Other options include the GLOW Lyric Theatre’s annual production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at the Younts Center for Performing Arts in Fountain Inn, S.C., located 25 minutes from downtown Greenville. The one-act Christmastime opera features the GLOW Festival Orchestra and Chorus and dancers from the Carolina Ballet Theatre. The all-ages show runs Dec. 18-20 (prices vary, 864-409-1050, www.yountscenter.org/glow-amahl-the-night-visitors).
If you travel to Greenville for a show, plan to arrive early or stay awhile to take in other Greenville sights and events.
After the 2015 Downtown Greenville Holiday Happening (www.downtownholidayhappening.com) wraps up on Dec. 13, dozens of 8-foot-tall pieces of art painted by local students will decorate street lamps downtown. A few shopping options in downtown Greenville include Kilwins Chocolates, Fudge and Ice Cream (www.kilwins.com/greenville), a confections and ice cream shop, The Beaded Frog (www.beadedfrog.com) and Greenville Jerky and Vine (www.greenvillejerkyandvine.com). Look for specials and discounts in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
“Holidays are really special in Greenville,” Fields said. “There’s a lot going on.”
WHERE TO STAY
Greenville offers a range of hotels that are convenient to shopping and arts venues and fit a variety of budgets. Here are a few places to consider for an overnight stay:
Hampton Inn & Suites Greenville Downtown @ RiverPlace: This 115-room property is walking distance from downtown holiday shopping and arts events. It’s also near the city’s scenic Falls Park on the Reedy.
171 RiverPlace, Greenville, S.C. 29601.
864-271-8700
www.hamptoninnandsuitesgreenville.com
@HamptonGvilleDT
Crowne Plaza Greenville: This 202-room property has completed a $5 million dollar renovation and features dining at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. It’s located off the I-385 inner loop around the city.
851 Congaree Road, Greenville, S.C. 29607
864-297-6300
www.ihg.com
Home2 Suites by Hilton Greenville Airport: This 102-suite hotel opened in August 2015 and offers amenities such as free breakfast.
20 Beacon Drive, Greenville, S.C. 29615
864-288-0000
www.home2suites3.hilton.com
Hilton Greenville and Courtyard by Marriott - Greenville - Haywood Mall: These chain properties are located near Haywood Mall, the largest shopping mall in South Carolina.
Hilton Greenville
45 W. Orchard Park Drive, Greenville, S.C. 29615
864-232-4747, www.hilton.com
Courtyard by Marriott - Greenville – Haywood Mall
70 Orchard Park Drive, Greenville, S.C. 29615
864-234-0300
www.marriott.com
IF YOU GO
From downtown Atlanta, it’s about a 2 hour drive to Greenville, S.C., which is located off I-85.
VisitGreenvilleSC Visitor Center
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m-5 p.m. Saturdays; noon-4 p.m. Sundays
206 S. Main St., Greenville, S.C. 29601
800-717-0023
www.VisitGreenvilleSC.com
@Greenville_SC
MORE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Consider these three holiday activities for your Greenville outing.
United Community Bank Ice on Main: Take a spin—or a spill—and celebrate the holidays at this open-air ice skating rink in the heart of downtown Greenville. It’s the only one of its kind in Upstate South Carolina. Open daily until Jan. 18, 2016 (times vary). Village Green in downtown Greenville, adjacent to City Hall. $10 adults, $8 children 12 and under. 864-467-4355, www.iceonmain.com
Bon Secours St. Francis Festival of Trees: Holiday trees will gleam and sparkle with ornaments, lights and all the trimmings at the Hyatt Regency Greenville, Courtyard by Marriott Greenville Downtown and Hampton Inn & Suites Greenville Downtown @ RiverPlace from Dec. 1-28. All proceeds from the 30th annual event will benefit the Outpatient Cancer Center at Bon Secours St. Francis Health System. www.stfrancisfoundation.com/events/festivaloftrees.aspx
Roper Mountain Holiday Lights: It’s the 24th year for this volunteer-driven event. Take a walk through this Winter Wonderland of lighted trails and giant holiday cards created by area students and featuring guests such as Santa Claus. Then drive along a 1.5-mile route and see festive displays such as Candy Cane Lane and Santa’s sleigh. Nightly through Dec. 30. Cost per vehicle (car, minivan or SUV): $10 Monday-Thursday, $15 Friday-Sunday. 402 Roper Mountain Road, Greenville, S.C. 29615. 864-355-8900, www.ropermountainholidaylights.com, @RMHL_Upstate
Hollywild’s 25th Annual Holiday Lights Safari Benefit: Take a break from the bustle of the season as you drive through millions of twinkling lights in seasonal displays at Hollywild Animal Park. At Santa’s Village, you can see—and possibly even pet—animals including camels, deer, zebras, bison, draft horses, goats, alpacas and antelope. Roast marshmallows or drink hot chocolate around the bonfires. At Mrs. Claus’ attic, take in a panoramic view of all the lights. Runs through Jan. 2, 2016. Open 6-9 p.m. with extended weekend hours. $6 per person for drive-through lights display and Santa’s Village visit; an additional $10 per car for optional drive-thru Enchanted Deer Forest. 2325 Hampton Road, Wellford, S.C. 29385. 864-472-2038, www.hollywild.net/hlwholiday_lights.html.
