What better time than now to plan your Spring trip to the Upcountry?! From music events to dining delights and outdoor activities, there’s plenty to look forward to this year.
April:
- Hub City Hog Fest – Location: Morgan Square, 100 W Main Street, Spartanburg, SC. Date(s) & Times: April 4th-5th (times vary). The 2025 festival will feature over 40 BBQ competitors and 12 live bands.
- Music on Main—Location: Morgan Square, 100 W Main Street, Spartanburg, SC. Date(s) & Times: Thursdays, April through July (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.). Music on Main is Spartanburg’s most anticipated summer concert series! Friends gather to listen to some of the hottest and hippest bands around.
- 2025 Imagine Upstate STEAM Festival – Location: 206 S Main St, Greenville, SC, 29601. Date(s) & Times: April 5th, (11 am – 5 pm). A FREE street festival in Downtown Greenville, SC, for families to discover the excitement of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) through drone races, robotics shows, explosive science experiments, 3D printing, arts and crafts, dance performances, and much more!
- 6th Annual Greer Centennial Lions Club Bass Fishing Tournament – Location: 2544 Mays Bridge Rd, Greer, SC 29651. Date(s) & Times: April 12th (5 am – 3 pm). We award cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place + big fish.
- 15th Annual SC State Chili Cookoff – Location: Belton City Square, downtown Belton, SC. Date(s) & Times: April 12th, (10 am – 5 pm). This is a premiere event for Chili Cooks and amateurs who want to taste the chili competition. Chili Tasting starts at 11 am!
- Southern Roots BBQ Festival—Location: Trailblazer Park, 235 Trailblazer Dr, Travelers Rest, SC 29690. Date(s) & Times: April 12th (12 – 4 pm). This BBQ festival offers good food, drinks, live music, and a better cause. Tickets include BBQ from over 35 pitmasters and chefs, all-inclusive beverages, local artisans, and tunes from a talented lineup of musicians.
- Taste of the Upstate – Livin’ La Vida Local – Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 Academy St, Greenville, SC 29601. Date(s) & Times: April 13th (11 am – 2:30 pm). Calling all foodies! This year’s Taste of the Upstate celebrates local talent and homegrown goodness! Sample some of Greenville’s best bites under one roof and vote alongside our expert judges to choose the award-winning dishes.
- Spring Means Babies! Location: Split Creek Farm, 3806 Centerville Rd, Anderson, SC. Date(s) & Times: April 19th (10 am—3 pm). The ever-popular Baby Pen will be open, and a photographer will take Easter photos. Don’t miss live music. We have added even more parking this year!
- Pickens Azeala Festival – Location: Downtown Pickens, SC. Date(s) & Times: April 25th (7 – 9 pm) -26th (10 am – 9 pm). Celebrated for over 41 years, the weekend’s events begin with the annual cruise-in at 7 pm on Friday and continue on Saturday with local artisans & crafters on the street! Join in the family fun and enjoy tastes from across the Southeast and musicians from across the nation.
- Balloon Glow & Laser Show – Greenville – Location: Historic Hopkins Farm, 3710 Fork Shoals Rd, Simpsonville, SC 29680. Date(s) & Times: April 25th – 26th (times vary). See and ride on incredible Hot Air Balloons! Enjoy a Kids Zone with games, rides, live music, and vendor booths. Food Vendors will be present with festival-style food to choose from!
- Greer Goes Global – International Festival – Location: Greer City Park, 301 E. Poinsett Street, Greer, SC. Date(s) & Times: April 26th (11 am – 5 pm). Mark your calendar for a cultural extravaganza at Greer City Park! Experience the richness of diverse cultures through international country tents, food trucks, vibrant vendors, sports, and a bustling International Market.
- 4th Annual Italian American Heritage Festival – Location: Downtown Fountain Inn, SC. Date(s) & Times: April 26th (12 – 6 pm). Great food, drinks, crafts, and information to learn! Spaghetti Eating Contest at 5 PM, children’s games, entertainment, and more.
- Mauldin Blues & Jazz Festival – Location: Mauldin Cultural Center, 101 E Butler Rd, Mauldin, SC. Date(s) & Times: April 26th (2 – 9 pm). This annual festival features a variety of your favorite restaurants and food trucks, complete with live blues and jazz music.
There’s plenty to look forward to this season in April. Don’t miss catching up on Part 1 here; stay tuned for Part 3 of this guide coming soon! Check out this other article on exploring more outdoor wonders in the Upcountry.
By: Sarah (Moore) Gross, Contributing Author
