Got plans this October?
Here’s our annual comprehensive guide to all of the Halloween-related events, holiday alternative activities, retail discounts, special events, fall festivals and trunk or treats we could find happening throughout the Upstate this month. More than 50 events are listed by category, and the type of event and locations have been bolded for easier sorting. Check back as we’re adding more events often!
Editor’s note: All events are up-to-date and accurate to the best of our knowledge, but cancellations or changes may occur. Check the listings or links prior to attending for updates.
FARMS/MAZES/PUMPKIN PATCHES
■ Fishers Orchard in Greer will celebrate the month of October with fall events for the entire family. Each Saturday in October is Family Day with admission only $4 per person 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and includes wagon rides, maze, a petting zoo, and access to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard. The farm is also open to the public Mondays — Fridays with reservations. Fishers Orchard is located at 650 Fisher Road in Greer. Visit www.fishersorchard.com or call 864-423-7809.
■ Mini Miracles Farm in Taylors will be open through Oct. 31 with hay rides, an animal education station, pumpkin patch, and a children’s play area. The farm is closed Wednesdays and located at 708 Old Rutherford Road in Taylors. Visit www.minimiraclesfarmsc.com or call 864-631-5325.
■ Stewart Farms in Enoree will be open to the public weekends through Oct. 25 for The Big Boo. Activities will include its South Carolina Maize, wagon rides, pumpkins, honey bee observatory and farm animals. Visit www.stewartfarms.net or call 864-969-7270.
■ Denver Downs Farm‘s annual corn maze is now open in Anderson. Other activities include hayrides, a zip line, farm animals, weekend bonfires, games and pumpkin patch. For pricing and hours, visit www.denverdownsfarm.com.
■ Nivens Apple Farm in Moore is open for its final season. Hayrides are available weekday mornings and weekends. The farm also has a corn maze, farm animals, pedal cars and a gem mine. For details, visit www.nivensapplefarm.com
■ An October Pumpkin Patch will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and noon-7 p.m. Sundays at Disciples United Methodist Church, 185 Riley Smith Rd, Greenville. Pumpkins and gourds of all sizes will be available. For details, call 864-297-0382.
■ The annual pumpkin patch at St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Greenville is now open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Proceeds benefit the church’s youth programs. For details, call 864-242-1966. The church is located at 701 Cleveland St. Greenville.
■ St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Easley will host the first Peanut’s Pumpkin Patch 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 15-31. Themed to Peanuts characters, the patch will feature pumpkins raised on a Native American reservation and carefully delivered to Easley. The patch will be located at 309 Pelzer Highway, Easley. For details, visit http://peanutspumpkinpatch.weebly.com.
FALL FESTIVALS and OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS
■ The 51st annual Freaky Friday will be held 3:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 in a new location at Greenville Technical College. It will feature games, food, prizes and rides from past Freaky Fridays and some that are new, and 100 percent of the profits support technology and wellness enrichment programs at the school. Follow the signs to enter the event from Faris Road. Admission is free and open to all ages and the community.
■ Get Out! Greenville is a celebration of all things outdoors in the Upstate that will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 3 at Lake Conestee Nature Park in Greenville. It will feature hands-on, active fun for kids and families, including paddle boards, rock walls, food trucks, live entertainment, special guest ‘Adventurer of the Year’ Jennifer Pharr-Davis and more. Get Out! Greenville is a Greenville County Rec event supported by Greenville Health System, Magic 98.9 and B 93.7 FM.
■ Kroctoberfest is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Kroc Center of Greenville. Free and open to the community, the event will feature fall fun activities, family fitness competitions, games, prizes and food. For details, call 864-527-5948 or visit krocgreenville.org. The center is located at 424 Westfield St. in downtown Greenville.
■ The Aunt Het Family Fall Festival is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 3 in Fountain Inn. The annual event includes music, food, arts and crafts, classic cars and more. For details, visit http://fountaininnchamber.org/web/events/annual-aunt-het-fall-festival.
■ Festifall is 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Oct. 3-4 at Walnut Grove Plantation. The event includes battle reenactments and more. The cost is $10 each for ages 18 and older and $5 each for ages 5 – 17, with a $1 per ticket discount for members. Call 864-596-3501 or visit spartanburghistory.org.
■ The Spartanburg International Festival is 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Oct. 3 in Barnet Park. Visit www.spartanburginternationalfestival.com.
■ The Big Boo, a family-friendly spooking of side two of the SC MAIZE at Stewart Farms, is 7 – 10 p.m. Fridays Oct. 16, 23, and 30 and Saturdays Oct. 17, 24, and 31. For details, visit stewartfarms.net.
■ Fall for Greenville is Oct. 9-11 in downtown Greenville. The event includes family entertainment and a children’s area. Visit www.fallforgreenville.net.
■ Balloons Over Anderson is Oct. 9-11 at the Anderson Civic Center. For details, visit balloonsoveranderson.org.
■ An Autumn Candlelight Tour is scheduled for Oct. 10 in Ninety Six. Only an hour- and 15-minute drive away from Greenville, Ninety Six provides a chance to step back into history and visit the site of a historic battlefield in South Carolina. Even better, guests can enjoy a rare candlelight tour in the fall and watch re-enactors portray life along the trail in the 18th century. Early settlers in Ninety Six included the English, Scotch-Irish, German, French and Africans. Guided battlefield tours will run every 10 minutes from 7 p.m. – 8:20 p.m., covering 1 mile and lasting approximately an hour and 15 minutes. Best of all, it’s free, and the historic site’s visitor center will be open from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. For details, call 864-543-4068.
■ The Pumpkin Festival is Oct. 10 in Pumpkintown. For 37 years, families have flocked to Pumpkintown — not far from Table Rock State Park — for this annual family-friendly festival. This year’s event kicks off at 9 a.m. with a parade down Pumpkintown Highway and past the Oolenoy Community Building, where visitors will find plenty of pumpkins, handcrafted items for sale, food, live music and other activities happening until 5 p.m. A special children’s area will feature rides for all ages, and barbecue chicken plates will dished up for hungry guests. Admission is free. For details, visit pumpkintownfestival.org.
■ Denver Downs farms will host Pumpkin Festival Weekend Oct. 10-11. In addition to maze activities, there will be a Pumpkin Princess and Prince Pageant, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin pie eat contest, lego competition and barn dance. For details, visit http://www.denverdownsfarm.com/calendar2015.php.
■ Nivens Apple Fest in Moore will host The Pumpkin Fest 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 17. In addition to the farm’s usual activities, there will be a pumpkin-carving contest, live music, hayrides, pumpkin picking and more. Barbecue plates and more will be available for purchase. For details, visit http://www.nivensapplefarm.com.
■ The Peanuts Fall Festival is set for Oct. 24 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Easley. There will be food, music, games for kids and a craft fair put on by Red Bird Mission from southeastern Kentucky. Enjoy the work of Appalachian artisans, pick out a perfect pumpkin and eat barbecue. For more details, visit http://peanutspumpkinpatch.weebly.com/peanuts-fall-festival.html
■ The Fall Harvest Festival is Oct. 24 in Pendleton. If you’re looking for an old-fashioned fall festival to share with the kids, consider heading to Pendleton for its annual Fall Harvest Festival. Featuring old-fashioned children’s games, a scarecrow contest, crafts, food, and live entertainment, Fall Harvest Festival is 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Oct. 24 on the town’s historic Village Green. Pendleton will celebrate its 225th anniversary this year, so there’s no better to visit. Sorry, there are no pets allowed. For details, visit www.facebook.com/PendletonFallHarvestFestival.
■ There will be a fall festival 5-8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Eastview Baptist Church in Belton. Rain date is 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 28. The event will include a trunk or treat, (no scary costumes requested), hay rides, dunking booth, train rides, bouncy houses, silent auction, games, face painting, hot dog plates for $5 and more. All proceeds go to offset the cost of children’s and youth summer camps. Call the church office with questions at 864-338-5555.
■ The Harvest Festival at Middleton Road Baptist Church in Anderson is set for 2-5 p.m. Oct. 24. The event is for all ages and will include barbecue, hot dogs, popcorn and snowcones, live music, hay rides, inflatables, face painting, games and prizes, a cake walk, fire trucks on display and more. The church is located at 1705 Middleton Road, Anderson. For details, visit https://www.facebook.com/Middleton-Road-Baptist-Church-109617569073785/timeline/.
■ The annual fall festival will be 5-7 p.m. Oct. 25 at St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Greenville. The event will include games, bounce house, costume parade and a free hot dog dinner. The church is located at 701 Cleveland St. Greenville.
■ The annual fall festival will be held 4-9 p.m. Oct. 25 at Marathon Community Church in Powdersville. For details, visit http://www.marathonchurch.org.
■ There will be a fall festival and trunk or treat 6-9 p.m. Oct. 28 at Tremont Church of God in Greenville. The event will include games, hay rides, horse rides, face painting, inflatables and more. The church is located at 2854 New Easley Highway, Greenville. For details, visit http://www.tremontcog.com.
■ The annual Harvest Festival is 6 – 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at the YMCA Program Center – GHS. The event is free and open to the community. Visit ymcagreenville.org.
■ Watch “Into the Woods” Oct. 30 as part of the outdoor movie series series at The Shops at Greenridge on Woodruff Road in Greenville. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs. The movie will be set up near Dick’s Sporting Goods and will begin at dusk. Check for updates on Facebook if weather conditions seem questionable up to 5 p.m. on movie day.
■ Bark in the Park, the annual fundraiser for Concerned Citizens for Animals, will take place 11 a.m. — 3 p.m. Oct. 31 at Greenville Technical College’s main campus. Kids and pets are invited to attend in costume for contests, watch performances by Mutts Gone Nuts, and learn about animal welfare.
■ Denver Downs Farm in Anderson will host Halloween events beginning at 11 a.m. Oct. 31 with a children’s costume contest. A Halloween Haunt Stomp Dance Party is scheduled 7-11 p.m. with an adult costume contest and live deejay. For details, visit http://www.denverdownsfarm.com/calendar2015.php.
TRICK OR TREATING EVENTS
■ “Click, Clack, Boo!” will be presented at the S.C. Children’s Theatre Oct. 16-25. Join a barnyard crew as they plan a spook-tacular event. Children are encouraged to attend in costumes. For details, visit www.scchildrenstheatre.org or call 864-235-2885.
■ Boo in the Zoo will offer trick-or-treating for kids ages 12 and younger Oct. 16-18 and Oct. 23-25 at Greenville Zoo. Hours are 5:30 — 8 p.m. Fridays and 4 — 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The event includes fun booths and an unhaunted house. Tickets go on sale Oct. 2 for zoo members and Oct. 12 for the public. For details, visit greenvillezoo.com.
■ Enchanted Forest, presented by Safe Kids Upstate, is set for 6 — 9 p.m. Oct. 22-23 and 5 — 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Pavilion Recreation Complex, 400 Scottswood Road, Taylors. The event offers children 10 and younger a unique fairytale trick-or-treating experience featuring characters such as Snow White and destinations such as Shrek’s Swamp. It also includes carnival games, bounce houses, face painting and costume contests at 7:30 p.m. each night. Admission is $7 per child on the day of the event or $5 in advance and includes either a bounce house pass or ice skating pass. Advance sales begin Oct. 13. For details, visit greenvillerec.com/event/enchanted-tracks.
■ The city of Greer will host Halloween Hoopla, presented by Freedom Fellowship Church, Oct. 24 at Greer City Park. Children can enjoy free candy, crafts and entertainment in a family-friendly environment. Food and rides will also be available. For details, visit www.cityofgreer.org.
■ The Autumn Harvest at TD Bank Saturday Market in downtown Greenville offers trick-or-treating from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a costume contest at 11 a.m. Oct. 31.
■ Whole Foods Market at 1140 Woodruff Rd. will host a Kids’ Costume and Spooky Snack Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 31. The costume contest winner, to be announced on Facebook, receives a $50 kid’s gift bag, with $25 gift cards for second and third place.
■ Howl-O-Ween party 2 — 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at Greenville County Animal Care. The event will include games, trick-or-treating, a cake walk and other activities for families. Dogs are welcome. Cost is $5 for children if purchased in advance and $7 day of the event.
■ The city of Easley will host its annual Children’s Fall Festival 4 — 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at Old Market Square. Trick or treat from downtown merchants. Other activities include inflatables, games, prizes, a costume contest and music. For details, visit easleyevents.com.
■ Haywood Mall in Greenville will host a mall-wide trick or treat event 5 — 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Participating stores will have signs posted in their store windows. Halloween photos will also be available for purchase in center court. For details, visit www.simon.com/mall/haywood-mall.
■ Celebrate Halloween at Heritage Park in Simpsonville with Goblinfest noon — 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. The event will feature rides, vendors, games and trick-or-treating after 5:30 p.m.
■ The Children’s Museum of the Upstate will host Halloween events 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. Oct. 31. Kids are invited to come in costume and participate in spooky science experiments, art, trick-or-treating, pumpkin contests and more. General admission is $9 for children 15 and younger, $10 for adults, and free for children younger than 1. For details, call 864-233-7755.
■ A “Star Wars” Villains Halloween Party is noon – 2 p.m. Oct. 31 at Fiction Addiction. The event includes a costume contest, a Star Wars story time and more. Call 864-609-9394 or visit www.fiction-addiction.com.
■ Swamp Rabbit Café Grocery will have a Halloween Family Fun event 4 — 6 p.m. Oct. 31 at its Cedar Lane Road location in Greenville. For details, call 864-255-3385.
■ A Family Treat Halloween Party is planned for 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Unity Spiritual Center of Clemson/Anderson. The party includes trick or treating, games, food, drinks, balloon twister and live music featuring local talent. All proceeds will go to Pendleton schools. The church is located at 304 Lebanon Road, Pendleton. Visit http://www.unityofclemsonanderson.org/civicrm/event/info?id=359.
■ The annual Halloween Festival will be held 4-6 p.m. in downtown Clemson. Children 12 and younger can enjoy trick-or-treating at downtown merchants and visiting the Caramel Apple Creation Station. All ages are invited to watch a “boo”vie in the park at 7:30 p.m. in Jaycee Park in Clemson. For details, visit http://www.cityofclemson.org/city/halloween-festival-0.
■ The Liberty Fall Fest will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 31 in downtown Liberty. Trick-or-treating will follow 6-8 p.m. at the old Liberty High School stadium on S.C. Highway 93. For details, visit http://www.libertysc.com/2015/08/city-of-liberty-trick-or-treat-2015/
TRUNK OR TREATS
■ There will be a trunk or treat for ages 3 up to sixth-graders Oct. 14 at Truth Missionary Baptist Church, located at 200 Saluda Dam Road, Greenville. For details, call 864-269-7345.
■ The annual trunk or treat is 3-5 p.m. Oct. 24 at Advent United Methodist Church in Simpsonville. The event will also include a session of bingo starting at 4 p.m. All ages are invited. For details, visit http://www.advent-umc.org/trunk-or-treat-and-bingo/.
■ There will be a fall festival 5-8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Eastview Baptist Church in Belton. Rain date is 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 28. The event will include a trunk or treat, (no scary costumes requested), hay rides, dunking booth, train rides, bouncy houses, silent auction, games, face painting, hot dog plates for $5 and more. All proceeds go to offset the cost of children’s and youth summer camps. Call the church office with questions at 864-338-5555.
■ There will be a trunk or treat 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Travelers Rest United Methodist Church, 19 Main St., Travelers Rest. For details, visit http://www.trmethodist.net/index.html.
■ There will be a fall festival and trunk or treat 6-9 p.m. Oct. 28 at Tremont Church of God in Greenville. The event will include games, hay rides, horse rides, face painting, inflatables and more. The church is located at 2854 New Easley Highway, Greenville. For details, visit http://www.tremontcog.com.
■ The annual trunk or treat will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at Augusta Road Baptist Church in Greenville. For details, visit http://www.arbc.com.
■ A trunk or treat is planned for 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Heritage Bible Church in Greer. The church is located at 2005 Old Spartanburg Road, Greer. For details, visit http://www.heritagebiblechurch.org.
■ There will be a trunk or treat event 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Trinity Wesleyan Church in Central. The church is located at 700 Issaqueena Trail, Central. For details, email media@twc4u.org or follow the church on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.
■ Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville will host its annual trunk or treat beginning at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in the church parking lot. The family-friendly event is for kids of all ages and will include children’s activities and a free hot dog dinner. The church is located at 1115 Pelham Road, Greenville. For details, visit http://www.morningside.org/index.php/events/special-events/fall-festival.
■ A trunk or treat is planned for 6 p.m. Oct. 31 at Bountiful Blessings Church in Roebuck. The church is located at 110 Peake Road, Roebuck. For details, visit http://www.bountifulblessingschurch.org/events.php.
LIBRARY EVENTS
■ Greenville County Library locations are hosting Spooktacular Stories 10 a.m. Oct. 26-31 for children 5 and under, plus the annual Boo Bash at 10 a.m. Oct. 27 during the Bouncing Babies programs for under 18 months. Children are encouraged to wear costumes to both events, which will be offered at various locations on different dates. Boo Bash will offer prizes for best child and adult costumes. Anderson and Spartanburg County libraries will also host Halloween events for babies.
■ MAKE POPSICLE STICKS HALLOWEEN MAGNETS at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Inman Branch Library in Spartanburg County. The event is for ages 10 and younger. Call 864-472-8363.
■ MAKE A MONSTER MASK at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Inman Branch Library. The event is for ages 10 – 12. Call 864-472-8363.
■ MAKE DAY OF THE DEAD MASKS at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Cyrill-Westside Branch Library. Registration is required. Call 864-574-6815.
■ DECORATE A PUMPKIN at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Inman Branch Library. The event is for ages 10 and younger. Call 864-472-8363.
■ DECORATE PUMPKINS at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Cyrill-Westside Branch Library. Registration is required. Call 864-574-6815.
■ WATCH “HOCUS POCUS” at 3 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Boiling Springs Branch Library. Call 864-578-3665.
■ WATCH “HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA” at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Inman Branch Library. The event is for ages 10 – 12. Call 864-472-8363.
■ A HALLOWEEN PARTY is at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Inman Branch Library. The event is for ages 10 and younger. Call 864-472-8363.
■ WATCH “THE BOOK OF LIFE” at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Woodruff Branch Library. The movie is rated PG. Call 864-476-8770.
■ A HALLOWEEN PARTY is at 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Landrum Branch Library. Call 864-457-2218.
■ A HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR is at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Cyrill-Westside Branch Library. Call 864-574-6815.
Know of an event that is not listed? Email angcamp@upstateparent.com.
