It’s no coincidence that “festival” and “fall” start with the same letter – ‘tis the season for the year’s biggest events. So we compiled a list of all the #MustDo events you (and we) are waiting for:

📆 Sept. 27 – Oct. 28 | Oktoberfest in Helen, GA (~1h 45m from GVL)

A German beer celebration in the South’s own re-creation of a Bavarian Alpine village. (Pro tip: “Prost” = “Cheers.” 🍻)

📆 Oct. 4 – 5 | 14th Annual Blues & Jazz Festival

A music festival for those who prefer old-school rhythm and soul. 🎶

📆 Oct. 4 – 6 | Oktoberfest at NOMA Square

The ultimate Oktoberfest in GVL, with a biergarten, ceremonial keg tapping, bratwurst eating contest, and stein holding competition.

📆 Oct. 4 – 6 | Albino Skunk Music Festival

An acoustic music festival with bluegrass roots + plenty of camping grounds for a weekend escape to the woods. 🌲

📆 Oct. 6 | Spartanburg International Festival

A melting pot of world cultures, with a Boulevard of Food, Avenue of Nations (featuring artifacts, clothing, and memorabilia), and music + dance.

📆 Oct. 10 – 21 | South Carolina State Fair (~1h 45m from GVL)

A Southern state fair with a little bit of everything – rides like the Skyglider, animals and livestock, flower shows, and Frito chili pie burgers.

📆 Oct. 12 | Artoberfest

A festival in Travelers Rest raising funds for Shriners Hospitals through handmade art, local music, and artisan food. 🎨

📆 Oct. 12 – 14 | BB&T Fall for Greenville

A huge music lineup, a beer + wine garden, culinary demos, and most importantly – Main Street lined with all kinds of food vendors.

📆 Oct. 12 – 14 | 33rd Annual Antiques, Fine Art & Design Weekend

Three days of 25+ dealers exhibiting their best antiques and art, with a swanky Preview Party to get a sneak peek at all the fine art.
📆 Oct. 17 | Harvest Festival at Eastside Family YMCA

Put on your costumes and bring your family and friends for hay rides, hot dogs and campfires, carnival games + more.

📆 Oct. 19 | Fresh Friday

An outdoors afternoon of yoga on the lawn, a market of local farmers + speciality artisans, live music, and cornhole. ☀

📆 Oct. 19 | Forestry Friday

A market held at the 80-acre Arran Farms, full of 50-70 local makers, food trucks, candle-making, and live music.

📆 Oct. 19 – 21 + 26 – 28 | Future Scholar Boo in the Zoo

20 trick-or-treat stations, character photo ops, an extinct species graveyard, Dragon Alley + a new Alice's Fun House. 🎃

📆 Oct. 20 | Art on the Trail

A gathering of visual + performing artists in TR’s Trailblazer Park with local food trucks, an art market, performances, literary readings, and children's art activities.

📆 Oct. 20 – 21 | The NESS Fest

Two days of wellness seminars, exercise classes, cooking demos, yoga, and meditation + more at the city’s first health and lifestyle festival.
📆 Oct. 26 | Harvest Festival at the Caine Halter Family YMCA

Bring the whole family for hay rides, campfires with s’mores, pumpkin painting, and carnival games.

📆 Oct. 26 | Harvest Festival at YMCA Program Center

Family friendly fun with free hot dogs, chips, water and cookies, BBQ for sale to benefit Y Scholarships, crafts for kids, cake walk, haunted trail.

📆 Oct. 27 | Hub City Brew Fest

A beer festival in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, with several options from tons of regional breweries (and plenty of Hub City restaurants to try in walking distance).

📆 Nov. 8 – 11 | Highlands Food & Wine (~1h 45m from GVL)

This foodie festival in the mountains has a food truck Friday, Sip & Shop events, and wine dinners all weekend.

📆 Nov. 10 | Greenville Craft Beer Festival

A beer-lovers gathering with something for every taste + a “Beer College” for a more personalized tasting experience. 🍺