Every summer, Greenwood, South Carolina transforms into a botanical paradise during the Festival of Flowers. This beloved event draws thousands of visitors who come to witness the stunning display of colors, creativity, and community spirit.
From towering floral sculptures to lively parades, the festival offers something special for flower enthusiasts and families alike.
1. Spectacular Topiary Displays
Massive plant sculptures shaped like animals, characters, and objects line the streets of Greenwood, South Carolina. These living art pieces require months of careful planning and maintenance by skilled gardeners.
Visitors can follow the Topiary Trail map to find all 42 displays throughout town. Each sculpture contains thousands of colorful plants growing on metal frames, creating a magical garden-come-to-life experience that changes subtly throughout the festival.
2. Signature Garden Tours
Peek into Greenwood’s most breathtaking private gardens usually hidden behind fences and hedges. Homeowners open their meticulously designed outdoor spaces for this special weekend, showcasing everything from formal English gardens to whimsical cottage-style plots.
Master gardeners stand by to answer questions about plant varieties and growing techniques. The self-guided tour provides inspiration and practical ideas that visitors can adapt for their own yards.
3. Vibrant Arts and Crafts Market
Local artisans gather in Uptown Greenwood, transforming the streets into a bustling marketplace. Hand-crafted jewelry, pottery, garden accessories, and flower-inspired artwork fill over 100 booths.
The scent of fresh food mingles with live music as shoppers browse one-of-a-kind treasures. Many craftspeople demonstrate their techniques on-site, allowing visitors to watch items being made before purchasing something truly special to remember their festival experience.
4. Captivating Photography Competition
Amateur and professional photographers from across South Carolina showcase their best floral images in this popular contest. Categories range from landscape gardens and macro flower shots to creative digital art that transforms blooms into abstract works.
Winning entries are displayed in the Arts Center gallery during the festival, where visitors can vote for the People’s Choice Award and pick up photography tips from placards detailing the camera settings and techniques used to capture each stunning image.
5. Lively Main Street Parade
Flower-adorned floats roll down Greenwood’s Main Street in a celebration of color and community spirit. Marching bands, dance troupes, and local organizations join the procession, many wearing floral costumes or carrying botanical-themed props.
Children scramble for candy tossed from parade participants while families stake out prime viewing spots along the route. The Grand Marshal, typically a local gardening celebrity or community leader, leads this joyful procession that officially kicks off the festival weekend.
6. Hands-On Gardening Workshops
Roll up your sleeves and dig into practical gardening skills with experts from Clemson Extension in South Carolina. Workshops cover everything from container gardening to butterfly garden design, with special sessions for children to create their own take-home projects.
Participants leave with potted plants, seed packets, and newfound knowledge. The most popular workshop, “Creating Living Fairy Gardens,” teaches families how to design miniature landscapes using tiny plants, moss, and whimsical decorative elements.
7. Enchanting Children’s Garden Party
Young festival-goers delight in this magical event designed just for them. Fairy-winged volunteers lead flower crown making, seed planting, and butterfly releases in a special kid-friendly garden area.
Face painters transform children into flowers, butterflies, and garden creatures. The highlight comes when children follow a flower-petal path to meet the Festival Flower Fairy, who grants each child a special wish for their garden and presents them with a packet of wildflower seeds to plant at home.
8. Elegant Wine And Jazz Evening
As twilight falls in South Carolina, the festival transforms into a sophisticated garden party for adults. String lights illuminate topiary displays while jazz musicians perform on an outdoor stage set among flowering trees.
Local wineries offer tastings paired with gourmet appetizers featuring edible flowers and herbs. Couples stroll along illuminated garden paths, pausing at artistic light installations that cast magical shadows among the plantings—a romantic conclusion to a day of floral festivities.