Every season is wonderful in Greenville, but summer is by far one of the best!

Summer is a wonderful time to explore and experience new things. But those experiences can sometimes come with a high price tag. Between eating out, getting ice cream, going on vacation, etc. summer can become an expensive season. So here is a list of fun, budget-friendly activities you can do this summer that will give you the adventure you want without breaking the bank.

Whether you are new to the Greenville area, or just want a fresh take on how to spend a Thursday night, you will have a lot of fun with this list!

1. The Upstate Shakespeare Festival 

Is there a better way to spend a summer evening than being in Falls Park and catching an incredible play? I’d say not! 

Each summer the Warehouse Theater presents two plays by the Bard himself, William Shakespeare. This year is actually the 25th anniversary of the tradition and the company will be performing The Tempest July 11-August 4. All shows start at 7:00 p.m and are free to the public. 

You can find more information about this and any upcoming events on their website. There is even information about auditioning to perform in a show!

2. Downtown Alive

If you love live music, local food vendors, and the downtown scene, this event is for you. NOMA square on Main Street will be teeming with food, drinks, and music to go around and is a really fun way to experience downtown on a budget. 

I even love going down there to enjoy the music and the ambiance. This event runs every Thursday evening at 5:30 pm all throughout July and August. Admission is always free. If you are interested in checking out the line-up for musical acts, I’ve included the brochure. 

3. TD Saturday Market

Saturday mornings are a great way to experience the local culture in downtown Greenville. Streets are blocked off to make room for many local vendors selling fruit, veggies, flowers, artisan goods, food, and other hand-made items. The market is always looking for new vendors, so if you have something you would like to contribute and a space to encourage a new hobby, take a look at the new vendor requirements.  

The Saturday Market runs from May 4 to October 26, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. More information can be found on their website. 

4. Salsa At Sunset

Calling dancers of all types! This incredible event hosted by Upstate International is a wonderful way to spend a summer evening. You can enjoy a salsa lesson followed by live music and open dancing. There are always local vendors offering food and beverages to keep you fueled for the dance floor. 

This event is held a few times throughout the summer: July 27, 2019; August 17, 2019. The salsa lesson is held from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm with open dancing until 10:00 pm. This event is free to the public and family-friendly. You won’t want to miss out on this incredible event. 

5. Cars and Coffee of the Upstate

Do you have a vintage car you just fixed up? Are you fascinated by vehicles of different sizes, colors, makes, and models? If so, this unique event in Greenville is for you. Grab a group of your friends and head to the Michelin to check out some of the finest cars in the area. 

This event is every 4th Saturday of the month from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. 

6. Enjoy A Nature Walk

Greenville is a wonderful city, full of great things to do and one of them is enjoying the beautiful outdoor spaces, parks, and hiking trails. With courses ranging from easy to advanced, you can select a trail that will work best for you. You can go birdwatching at Conestee Nature Park, take a hike in Table Rock or Paris Mountain State Park. Simply packing a picnic lunch and spending time near the falls of Falls Park can make for a fun, carefree summer afternoon. 

Greenville offers so many fun, free activities for its residents so you know you can always find something that piques your interest. I encourage you to look at this list and pick a few ones that sound good—maybe even something new—to try out this summer. 

I’d love to hear which of these is your favorite or some of your other Greenville-summer pastimes. Have a lovely summer, everyone!