Breakfast with Santa tickets go on sale at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Greer's tree lighting is 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4; the Christmas parade steps off 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

Last checked Nov. 1, 2026. This page is updated each year. Dates come from the City of Greer events calendar, the city’s Christmas Tree Lighting page and its 2025 holiday weekend guide.

Greer packs its holiday kickoff into one weekend in early December: the tree lighting in Greer City Park on Friday, Breakfast with Santa and the Greer Farmers Market’s Christmas Festival on Saturday, and the Greer Relief Christmas Parade on Sunday afternoon.

Holiday weekend 2026 at a glance

  • Tree lighting: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, Greer City Park, 301 E. Poinsett St. Free.
  • Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, Dec. 5, Cannon Centre, 204 Cannon St. Tickets on sale 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2.
  • Farmers Market Christmas Festival: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, Greer City Park.
  • Christmas parade: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, from West Poinsett Street at Memorial Drive.
  • City events line: 864-968-7008

Christmas Tree Lighting: Friday, Dec. 4

The city’s tree lighting runs 5 to 8 p.m. in Greer City Park. The city lists free holiday craft stations, trackless train rides, roaming carolers, live music, an ice sculpture demonstration and food vendors, with s’mores and hot chocolate from Greer Relief. Santa and Mrs. Claus close the night by joining Mayor Rick Danner to light the city’s tree.

In 2025 the stage performances ran 5 to 7 p.m., Santa arrived for the lighting at 7:10 p.m., and the event was held rain or shine.

Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, Dec. 5

Breakfast, crafts, a letter-to-Santa station and a visit and photo with Santa at the Cannon Centre, 204 Cannon St. There are three sessions: 8 to 9:15 a.m., 9:45 to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Each session has 24 tables of eight, sold one table per family: $40 for City of Greer residents and $48 for nonresidents. Tickets go on sale at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, in the city’s online recreation catalog under Special Events. The 2025 breakfast sold out. For help buying tickets, call 864-968-7008.

Greer Relief Christmas Parade: Sunday, Dec. 6

The parade, hosted by the nonprofit Greer Relief, steps off at 2:30 p.m. from West Poinsett Street and Memorial Drive, near the clock, and the city calendar lists it until 4 p.m. The city has described the route as 1.1 miles, ending at North Main Street and Cunningham Drive.

Road closures. In 2023 the Police Department said a large part of West Poinsett Street closes from 12:30 p.m. until the parade ends, and that roads reopen only after the Public Services cleanup crew has passed behind the last float. The 2026 closure times have not been posted.

Rules from the 2025 parade: lawn chairs are welcome; pop-up tents and pets (other than service animals) are not. The parade is held rain or shine, and any change is posted on the city’s Facebook page that day. The 2025 parade added a Sensory Safe Zone at the start of the route and a live stream.

Parking. The city recommends its free public lots and the parking garage for all holiday weekend events; see its parking and shuttle page.

More Santa and holiday events

  • Sensory Santa, Saturday, Nov. 21, Greer City Hall: 15-minute quiet visits between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. with no music or flashing lights, by reservation in the city catalog ($15 for residents, $20 for nonresidents).
  • Holiday Arts Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, Center for the Arts, 804 Trade St. Free admission, with the annual Empty Bowls Sale.
  • Greer Farmers Market Christmas Festival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6 in Greer City Park. In 2025 it had more than 65 vendors, food trucks, live music and children’s activities; outside food, drinks and pets were not allowed.
  • Christmas at the Museum, Saturday, Dec. 12, Greer Heritage Museum, 106 S. Main St. Free, with sessions at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on the 150-year history of Christmas in Greer. Registration is required; bring canned or dry food for Greer Relief.

What this means for you

  • Mark Friday, Dec. 4, for the tree lighting and Sunday, Dec. 6, for the parade.
  • Set a reminder for 7 p.m. Nov. 2 if you want a Breakfast with Santa table.
  • On parade day, avoid West Poinsett Street from late morning, and wait for the cleanup crew before driving out.

Related guides: things to do in Greer this month, getting around Greer and parks and trails in Greer.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Greer Christmas parade 2026?

The Greer Relief Christmas Parade is Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., starting at West Poinsett Street and Memorial Drive, according to the city calendar. It runs until about 4 p.m.

What is the Greer Christmas parade route?

The city has described a 1.1-mile route from Poinsett Street and Memorial Drive, near the clock, to North Main Street and Cunningham Drive.

When is the Greer Christmas tree lighting?

Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. in Greer City Park. Santa and Mrs. Claus join Mayor Rick Danner to light the tree.

How do I get Breakfast with Santa tickets in Greer?

Tickets go on sale online at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, through the city’s recreation catalog. Tables seat up to eight; the city’s help line is 864-968-7008.