Greenville's tree lighting is Friday, Dec. 4, with lights at 6 p.m. The Poinsettia Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. on Main Street. Free.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year. Facts come from the City of Greenville’s Poinsettia Christmas Parade and Holiday Happenings pages and its event calendar. Questions: Greenville Cares, 864-232-2273.

Greenville opens its holiday season on the first weekend of December. The city lights its Christmas tree on Main Street at Night of Lights on Friday, Dec. 4, and the Poinsettia Christmas Parade follows on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. Both are free. The parade has signaled the start of the season downtown for more than 75 years, the city says.

Who to call

  • City events: Greenville Cares, 864-232-2273 (call or text)
  • Parade entries and bookings: bookings@greenvillesc.gov
  • Ice on Main: 864-365-4258
  • Police non-emergency: 864-271-5333

Night of Lights: Friday, Dec. 4

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Main Street lights up around the city’s 30-foot Christmas tree, strung with 25,550 LED lights. Mayor Knox White and Jane Robelot of WYFF 4 lead the countdown, and the tree is lit at about 6 p.m., according to the city’s holiday page. The tree stands in front of M. Judson Booksellers on Main Street. The evening has food trucks, letters to Santa and a visit from Santa Claus. The city’s advice: come early so you do not miss the lighting.

Main Street closes from McBee Avenue to Broad Street from 4 to 8 p.m. for the event.

Poinsettia Christmas Parade: Saturday, Dec. 5

The parade steps off at 6 p.m. on Main Street, with floats, marching bands, dance groups, schools, nonprofits and local businesses. An earlier city listing gave 6:30 p.m.; the calendar and the city’s September holiday page both say 6 p.m. Groups that want to march must apply by Monday, Nov. 2, with the city’s parade application.

Last year’s Joel Poinsett Award went to the Woodmont High School Band of Pride and Friends, and the 2025 grand marshal was Henry Horowitz.

Road closures on Dec. 5

From the city’s event calendar:

Street Closed
Main Street, Augusta Street to Anderson Street Noon to 9 p.m.
Markley Street, Main to Field Noon to 9 p.m.
Wardlaw Street and O’Neal Street, Main to Rhett Noon to 9 p.m.
Main Street, McBee Avenue to Broad Street 1 to 9 p.m.
River Street and Augusta Street, Rhett to University 3 to 9 p.m.
Main Street, Broad Street to Augusta Street 3 to 9 p.m.
Falls Park Drive, Main to Boggs 3 to 9 p.m.

Plan to park early in a city garage outside the closed blocks; the city lists its decks on its garages and lots page.

More downtown holiday events

  • United Community Ice on Main at the Village Green: the city calendar runs the 2026-27 season from Tuesday, Nov. 17, to Monday, Jan. 18, 2027. The rink is open daily except Christmas Day, with regular hours of 2 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 2 to 10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends, according to the rink’s hours page.
  • Holiday at Peace, Dec. 4-6, Graham Plaza.
  • Chanukah on Main, Sunday, Dec. 6, 4 to 6:30 p.m., NOMA Square.
  • TD Saturday Market Holiday Edition, Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Main Street and McBee Avenue.
  • Free garage parking: the city makes all city-owned garages free on Thanksgiving and Black Friday and from Dec. 23 to 25, with free parking at listed decks on Dec. 19 and 20, under its holiday parking offer.

What this means for you

  • Tree lighting Friday, parade Saturday: Dec. 4 and 5.
  • Main Street south of Augusta closes at noon on parade day.
  • Marching or riding in the parade? Apply by Nov. 2.

More guides: things to do this month, getting around Greenville and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Greenville Christmas parade in 2026?

The Poinsettia Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, at 6 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Greenville, according to the city’s event calendar.

When is the Greenville Christmas tree lighting?

Night of Lights is Friday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Main Street at City Hall. The city’s 30-foot tree is lit at about 6 p.m. Admission is free.

What roads close for the Poinsettia Christmas Parade?

Main Street from Augusta Street to Anderson Street closes from noon to 9 p.m. on Dec. 5, and Main Street from McBee Avenue to Broad Street from 1 to 9 p.m., with more closures from 3 p.m. on River and Augusta streets and Falls Park Drive.

When does Ice on Main open in Greenville?

United Community Ice on Main opens in mid-November 2026 at the Village Green, and the city’s calendar runs it through Monday, Jan. 18, 2027. It is closed Christmas Day.