The City of Greer's award-winning Day of the Dead festival is coming up on Friday, October 30. Day of the Dead, also known as Dia de los Muertos, is a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture meant to honor and welcome back the spirit of loved ones who have died. Here in Greer, the Day of the Dead festival is also an opportunity to immerse yourself in and learn about Mexican culture and traditions.
Event Details
When: Friday, October 30, 2026 from noon to 10:00 p.m.
Where: Center for the Arts, 804 Trade St., Greer, SC (Keep reading for off-site parking & shuttle information)
What: Free entertainment and crafts; Food, drinks, and artisan products available for purchase
Parking & Shuttle Service
On-site parking at the Center for the Arts is very limited, but organizers will provide free shuttle service from the following locations:
Maple Creek Missionary Baptist Church, 609 S. Main St.
Victor Baptist Church, 121 New Woodruff Rd.
*Greer Church of God, 500 Trade St. ($5 charge for parking at this location only)
The free shuttle service will begin at noon and will run until after the festival ends.
Festival Activities
This year's festival will feature free entertainment on an indoor and outdoor stage. Inside the City of Greer's Center for the Arts, you can enjoy music and dance performances and even take a free salsa lesson. DJ Jarocho will entertain the crowd from the outdoor stage throughout the day. Also outside, you can catch a free screening of the movie, "Coco," at 7:00 p.m. Scroll down to see the complete entertainment lineup in English and in Spanish.
Throughout the festival, guests can visit more than a dozen artist vendors and food trucks, get their faces painted for free, decorate cookies with The Frosting Fairy, watch a painting demonstration, or participate in a printmaking activity. Kids can burn off their extra energy at the Center for the Arts Park playground or on a large, inflatable obstacle course that will be set up near the amphitheater. Scroll down for a list of food and drink vendors.
Monarch Butterflies
Monarch butterflies play a significant role in Day of the Dead events and here in Greer. In Mexican tradition, Monarch butterflies symbolize the souls of deceased loved ones who visit during Day of the Dead festivities. Greer was the first city in South Carolina to be recognized by Monarch City USA for its conservation and education efforts. Butterflies that hatched in Greer about six weeks ago should be arriving in Mexico around the Day of the Dead. Our recreation team will have a tent at the event on Friday where visitors can learn more about Monarch butterflies.
Costume Contest
Plan ahead to participate in the Best Dressed la Catrina and el Catrin contest at 7:30 p.m. The cultural icons are meant to be a reminder that no matter how rich, powerful, or elegant you are in life, everyone turns to bones in death. The winners of the contest will receive a $25 gift card to Texas Roadhouse.
Full Event Schedule
Scroll down for the complete event schedule in English and Spanish.
