International Festival, Albino Skunk Music happening this weekend

Communities in the Upstate are hosting a variety of festivals and events throughout October to celebrate the fall season.
Events range from music festivals and community fairs to oyster roasts and fire department open houses.
Many of the festivals offer free admission and family-friendly activities like pumpkin patches, live music, and food trucks.
Several events, including the Kroc Fest and the Rotary Club of Clemson Oyster Roast, also serve as fundraisers for local charities.

Fall is officially here, and October is filled with festivals and celebrations.

Many communities gather to enjoy autumn leaves and celebrate with community events.

Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including pumpkin picking, holiday fairs, barbecue cook-offs, oyster roasts, and music performances.

Listed below are some of the most notable festivals and events taking place in the Upstate.

Albino Skunk Music Festival in Greer

The Albino Skunk Music Festival, located at 4067 Jordan Road in Greer, runs from October 1 to 4.

Festival gates open at 10 a.m. each day and will remain open through Saturday, October 4.

This event features a diverse lineup of Americana, roots, folk, and bluegrass performances spanning several days.

Albino Skunk Music Festival headliners include Shinyribs, Ruen Brothers, and The HillBenders.

The October 2025 lineup includes:

Sunny War
The Two Tracks
Wolf Jett
Tyler Ramsey
John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band
Sam Lewis
Martin Harley
SUSTO Stringband

Music begins at the following times:

Oct. 3: Music begins at noon.
Oct. 4: The first performance starts at noon.

Attendees can also explore the “Kiddieland” area, which features a playground, various activities, a drive-in movie, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, local food vendors, and craft beers from Community Tap.

Admission for adults starts at $75, with tickets available for purchase on the festival’s official website.

The Kroc Festival 2025

Kroc Fest 2025 is set to take place at the Kroc Center in Greenville on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offers a day filled with diverse food options, unique vendors, and fun activities suitable for all ages, including a floating pumpkin patch.

Admission is free.

Featured activities include:

Food trucks and community vendor tables.
A petting zoo.
Face painting.
A floating pumpkin patch (registration is required).
A pumpkin decorating station.
Free fitness classes for youth and adults.
An open gym.

The Kroc Center announced that during Kroc Fest, all membership registration fees will be waived for new sign-ups.

Additionally, new members will receive a guest pass valid through Nov. 15.

The festival also serves as a community fundraiser, offering guests the opportunity to donate to Hollis Academy and Harvest Hope Food Bank’s Title 1 Backpack program, which supports local children in need.

Spartanburg International Festival: Barnet Park

The Spartanburg International Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Barnet Park in downtown Spartanburg.

The event is free to attend.

This year, the festival will celebrate Paraguay with a variety of food, entertainment, and cultural activities.

This year’s festival theme will feature representation from numerous nations, including many found in the Spartanburg area.

Additionally, the entertainment schedule is live and will feature performances across three stages throughout the day.

Events include Paraguayan folklore dance, ballerinas, salsa lessons, international fashion, magic, and more.

Attendees can explore several designated areas:

Boulevard of Food: A diverse selection of international cuisine will be available.
Avenue of Nations: Showcasing many of the different represented countries.
International Trade Zone: Spotlighting trade and global goods.
Kids Zone: A special area with activities for younger festivalgoers.
Volunteer opportunities: Guests can sign up to volunteer for the event to get a behind-the-scenes look at the festival.

While general admission is free, food from vendors and certain activities may have a cost.

33rd annual Festifall

The 33rd annual Festifall will be held on Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5.

The event will take place at the Historic Walnut Grove Plantation in Roebuck, located at 1200 Otts Shoals Road.

Tickets provide access to the festival for the entire weekend, allowing attendees to immerse themselves fully in the historical experience.

Gate prices are set at $15 for adults (18 years and older) and $10 for children (3–18 years old). For those looking to save, presale tickets are available online until October 1 at a reduced rate of $13 for adults and $8 for children.

What’s new for the 2025 season?

The festival will be the public’s first chance to tour the restored Walnut Grove Manor House, which underwent a $1.5 million restoration.
This year’s Festifall is a designated event for South Carolina’s 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

Event highlights include:

Live demonstrations: Experience life in 1781 with live demonstrations of Colonial-era activities like musket and cannon fire, cooking, spinning, camp life, and 18th-century music.
Battle Reenactment: Over 200 reenactors will camp on-site and stage a Revolutionary War skirmish
Hands-on Activities: Children can participate in activities such as candle dipping, quill writing, tin punching, and making tricorn hats.

Piedmont Interstate Fair in Spartanburg

Spartanburg’s fall events include the Piedmont Interstate Fair, which will take place from October 7 to October 12, at the Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds, located at 575 Fairgrounds Road.

General gate admission to the 2025 Piedmont Interstate Fair is $15 for adults and $8 for children on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Entry is free for everyone between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Attendees can enjoy a classic fair experience with carnival rides, fair food, games, and live entertainment throughout the event.

According to a press release, the Piedmont Interstate Fair will feature numerous contests for school-aged children, allowing them to win prizes for themselves and their schools while encouraging community involvement.

The fair also sponsors the South Carolina Meat 4-H/FFA Goat Project, Beef Show, Poultry Show, and Junior Rabbit Show, providing agriculture and educational opportunities for children.

Additionally, the cattle barns will showcase a wide array of farm animals and fowl, along with competitive exhibits of farm products and food arts, ranging from cakes to pickles.

Attendees can also explore a live beehive, an American Legion educational display, and numerous other informative exhibits.

Spartanburg Fire Department Open House

Spartanburg Fire Department’s open house will be held on Sunday, October 12, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Fire Station 1, located at 450 Wofford St.

This free, family-friendly event includes fire truck and station tours, a fire safety house, games, and complimentary food.

The theme for this year’s event, “Charge into Fire Safety,” focuses on educating attendees about the safety of lithium-ion batteries.

Spartanburg Community College Fall Festival

Spartanburg Community College’s Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Spartanburg (Giles) Campus located at 107 Community College Drive.

Admission is free, and attendees can enjoy live music, food trucks, inflatable games, and a trick-or-treat trail while also exploring interactive highlights from SCC’s programs.

The evening will wrap up with a family-friendly outdoor movie.

Spartanburg Wave Festival

Spartanburg Wave Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, starting at 11 a.m. at the CC Woodson Community Center in Spartanburg at 210 Bomar Ave.

Attendees can enjoy live music from local artists, indulge in a variety of delicious offerings from food trucks, and shop from an array of local vendors.

Reinvintage Warehouse: Pumpkin Pop-in

The Reinvintage Warehouse pumpkin pop-in event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1802 Drayton Road, Spartanburg.

Attendees can look forward to picking out and crafting unique decorative pumpkins.

Rotary Club of Clemson Oyster Roast

The Rotary Club of Clemson Oyster Roast is another event to add to your fall festival itinerary.

The roast will take place on Friday, October 17, at 5 p.m. This annual tradition takes place at Tiger Park, located at 141 Old Greenville Highway in Clemson.

Attendees can indulge in oysters and barbecue while enjoying live music, all while supporting local nonprofits through the event’s proceeds.