Mother's Day Weekend, Artisphere & Things You Should Know 💐🎨🎶

The biggest arts festival in Upstate SC is HERE — plus Mama-worthy events, live music, and fur babies looking for their forever homes 🐾

🎨 This Weekend's Big Deal: Artisphere 2026

The #1 Art Show in the Country Is In Your Backyard 🌟

Mark your calendars and dust off your walking shoes — the 22nd Annual Artisphere, presented by Prisma Health, is transforming Downtown Greenville into the most spectacular open-air gallery you've ever seen this Mother's Day weekend!

Named "#1 Best Art Show in the Country" by USA TODAY, this free, three-day festival runs along Main Street from Court to Wardlaw, featuring 140 juried visual artists from 34 states working in 17 different mediums — glass, ceramics, jewelry, painting, wood, furniture, and much more. One in eight artists was handpicked from over 1,061 applicants. These are the best of the best. 🏆

Best of all: admission is completely FREE. Grab Mom, grab the kids, and make a day of it!

📅 Friday, May 8:  12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

📅 Saturday, May 9:  10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

📅 Sunday, May 10 (Mother's Day!):  11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

📍 Location:  Main Street, Downtown Greenville (Court St to Wardlaw St)

💰 Admission:  FREE and open to the public!

🚲 Parking Tip:  Free Bike Valet on the Swamp Rabbit Trail under Main Street Bridge

🌐 More info: artisphere.org

What to Experience:

• 🧒  Kidsphere — free craft area, birdhouse building, pipe cleaner flowers, toddler-to-teen zone
• 🎨  Demo Row & Art Lab — watch artists create live, community mural, street chalk art
• 🎶  7 Free Stages — 30+ acts: bluegrass, rock, jazz, country, theatre, dance
• 🍽️  Culinary events and food vendors throughout the festival

🎶 Live Music & Festivals This Week

SpringSkunk Music Fest 2026

📍 The SkunkFarm, 4067 Jordan Rd., Greer, SC · Gates open 10 AM daily · albinoskunk.com

One of the Upstate's most beloved traditions is happening RIGHT NOW through Friday night in Greer! SpringSkunk Music Fest features Bluegrass, Americana, Folk, Roots, and Rock across a beautiful outdoor setting — come for a day or camp for the whole weekend (rain or shine!). This year's incredible lineup includes:

Darrell Scott  —  Americana / Folk

Kim Richey  —  Country / Singer-Songwriter

Aaron Lee Tasjan  —  Alt-Country / Rock

Brennen Leigh  —  Country / Honky Tonk

Sweet Megg  —  Jazz / Swing

Beth Nielsen Chapman  —  Folk / Americana

Seth Walker  —  Blues / Soul

East Nash Grass  —  Bluegrass

The Barefoot Movement  —  Bluegrass / Folk

Andrew Duhon  —  Americana

+ Many more artists performing throughout the weekend!

🎟️ Tickets available at the gate or at albinoskunk.com. Family-friendly!

Artisphere Main Stage — 30+ Performers Across 7 Stages

📍 Downtown Greenville, Main Street · May 8–10 · artisphere.org/stages

Beyond the visual arts, Artisphere is a full-on performance festival!

Performers include the Fine Arts Center Strings Chamber, Furman University Faculty Jazz Quartet, Mauldin Theatre Co., International Dance Academy, Poets Live, and 30+ more acts across seven stages — all completely free.

Full schedule at artisphere.org/stages.

💐 Mother's Day Weekend Events

SPARTANBURG · Saturday, May 9 

Mother's Day Custom Sign Workshop

📍 A Cut Above Maker Space, 1201 Union Street, Spartanburg · 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · $45

Create a personalized custom sign featuring Mom's name and her children's or grandchildren's names. You'll pick your colors, paint and assemble the sign in the workshop, and take home the finished piece that same day — no experience required! The perfect gift and activity rolled into one. 🎨

ANDERSON · Sunday, May 10 

Mother's Day at UP on the Roof

📍 UP on the Roof, Anderson, SC · All Day · eatupdrinkup.net/mothers-day

Treat Mom to elevated views and all-day dining at UP on the Roof in Anderson. Brunch and full-day menus available. A gorgeous way to celebrate Mother's Day — reserve your spot in advance!

SIMPSONVILLE · Saturday, May 9 --- FREE

The Mother Daughter Brunch

📍 827 SE Main StSimpsonville, SC  Saturday, May 9  •  11 AM - 2 PM

This is more than just an event—it’s a space to slow down, connect, and create lasting memories with the woman who means the most. Capture heartfelt moments, share meaningful conversations, and celebrate the beauty of your bond in a setting made with love.

This is a FREE EVENT open to all mothers and daughters. Come as you are and leave with unforgettable memories, deeper connection, and a heart full of joy.

 Grab your tickets before they're gone!

GREENVILLE · May 8–10 — FREE 

Artisphere — The Ultimate Mother's Day Gift!

📍 Downtown Greenville · artisphere.org

What better way to celebrate Mom than the world's best art festival on Mother's Day weekend?! Explore 140 artists, enjoy live music on 7 stages, let the kids loose in Kidsphere, and browse one-of-a-kind art to take home. The perfect free family day. 💐

📰 Breaking News You Should Know

 SOUTH CAROLINA · Statewide 

SC Governor's Race: Candidates Hit the Upstate

With the SC primary approaching, Republican gubernatorial candidates Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Congressman Ralph Norman made campaign stops in Spartanburg and Greenville last week, discussing roads, infrastructure, and economic development. Make sure you're registered and ready to vote! 🗳️

CLEMSON 

Clemson Lands $11M Bezos Earth Fund Grant

Clemson University has received an $11 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund to support sustainable cotton research — aiming to reduce the environmental impact of cotton production. A major win for the Upstate and the planet! 🌿

SOUTH CAROLINA · May 

May is Foster Care Awareness Month 💛

Gov. Henry McMaster has declared May as Foster Care Awareness Month, calling on SC families to consider fostering. Thousands of children in SC need safe, loving homes. Learn more at dss.sc.gov.

WEATHER ALERT 

⛈️ Cold Front Bringing Storms Through Thursday

A cold front is sweeping through the Western Carolinas with scattered showers and thunderstorms today through Thursday evening — possible damaging winds and hail. SpringSkunk Fest is rain-or-shine, so pack gear! The forecast looks much better for Artisphere weekend. ☀️

🐾 Looking for Their Fur-Ever Family

Spartanburg Humane Society

📍 150 Dexter Road, Spartanburg, SC · Mon–Sat 12PM–6PM · spartanburghumane.org/adopt

The Spartanburg Humane Society takes in approximately 7,000 animals every year and needs your help! With Mother's Day this weekend, why not give the gift that keeps giving — a new furry family member? 🐶🐱

Adoption fees include spay/neuter surgery, microchip, vaccines, and even a free boarding stay at SouthPort Kennels (up to 6 days) plus a personalized pet tag. Dogs: $95 | Puppies: $195 | Cats: $50 | Kittens: $95.

Anderson County PAWS & Anderson Humane

📍 Anderson County · andersoncountysc.org/adopt · ahconnects.org/adopt

Anderson County PAWS offers unique fostering programs including medical fosters, neonatal fosters, and short-term 'Daycation & Slumber Pawty' fostering — what a fun Mother's Day family activity! Anderson Humane is a registered non-profit supported by Petco Love, dedicated to connecting people and animals. Browse adoptable pets at ahconnects.org/adopt.

💌 For more adoption stories, subscribe to our sister newsletter: The Rescue Reels 

🌟 Fun Upstate SC Facts You Should Know

🎨  Artisphere in Greenville has been named the #1 Best Art Show in the Country by USA TODAY — this year's 22nd annual edition drew over 1,061 artist applications and selected only 140. That's a 1-in-8 acceptance rate. World-class talent, right here in our backyard!

🏭  The Upstate is home to over 500 international companies from more than 40 countries — including BMW's Greer plant, which employs over 11,000 people and is the company's largest manufacturing facility in the world.