Culture & Local Events
Despite being one of Charlotte’s bedroom communities, Fort Mill and the surrounding area has a lot to offer in all cultural aspects. Whether it’s supporting local artists or putting together a musical, there’s always something going on here!
Not only that, but our area also hosts a number of annual events that bring people from all around to enjoy our hospitality!
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Out and About |
| Leroy Springs Recreation Complex Phone: (803) 547-1000 Website: LeroySprings.com About: The Leroy Springs Complex offers just about anything someone could ask for on a rainy day with nothing to do. The Complex brags of having an indoor gym, an indoor swimming pool, a dance studio, racquetball/handball courts, a ceramic studio, and a child development center. On sunny days they offer outside activities such as tennis courts, softball and baseball fields, a soccer field and a children’s playground. A membership card is required to gain access or you can simply pay a daily guest fee. Leroy Springs also offers youth sports such as basketball, t-ball, softball, baseball, soccer, swimming, football, cheerleading and wrestling. |
| Anne Springs Close Greenway Phone: (803) 548-7252 Website: leroysprings.com/greenway About: ASCG is a 1,800-acre nature preserve that has been set aside for non-development. Fun activities available include horseback riding, fishing, hiking, cycling and camping. There are membership available for a very modest cost, as well as frequent events hosted at The Dairy Barn. Dogs on leashes are allowed at ASCG. |
| Catawba River/Lake Wylie Access About: If you want to go boating and don’t feel like heading over to Lake Wylie or up to Lake Norman, you can access the Catawba River from Greyrock Road in Fort Mill. You can also access Lake Wylie via Tega Cay boat slips available. While using the Tega Cay boat slip is free, city parking permits are required and can obtained from City Hall. |
| Landsford Canal State Park Address: 2051 Park Drive, Catawba, SC 29704 Get Directions Phone: (803) 789-5800 Website: SouthCarolinaParks.com About: This 460-acre park features walking trails, picnic areas as well as kayak and canoe access on the Catawba River. Fishing can be done with a valid fishing license and playgrounds are available for young children. Admission is $2 for adults, $1.25 for senior citizens. |
| Andrew Jackson State Park Address: 196 Andrew Jackson Park Road, Lancaster,SC 29720 Phone: (803) 285-3344 Website: SouthCarolinaParks.com About: This state park has activities spread out over 360 acres of land. Those activities include fishing (with a valid license), a museum, boat rentals, hiking trails, picnic areas, camping and a gift shop. One added bonus is the amphitheatre which hosts an annual bluegrass festival every year. |
| Carowinds Amusement Park Address: Carowinds Blvd (off Exit 90 on I-77), Fort Mill, SC Phone: (803) 548-5300 Website: Carowinds.com About: Love rollercoasters? How about cotton candy? Or maybe wave pools? Carowinds has it all! Besides being open every day in the summertime, Carowinds also throws special events such as the Halloween Haunt and music festivals. There is something for all ages and parking is free. |
| Charlotte Knights at Knights Stadium Address: Gold Hill Road (off Exit 88 on I-77), Fort Mill, SC Phone: (803) 548-8050 Website: Charlotte Knights About: This minor league team may eventually leave Fort Mill for Charlotte, but in the meantime we get to enjoy having a minor league baseball team in town! The team is linked to the Chicago White Sox and comes complete with great baseball for low prices but also a large children’s area complete with a carousel and large sand pit. |
Fun Indoors |
| Arts Council of York County Address: 121 East Main Street, Rock Hill, SC Phone: (803) 328-2787 Website: YorkCountyArts.org About: The Arts Council of York County is highly regarded as it seeks to expose local artists and their brilliant work, whether it be in art, music, dance or theater. The Council hosts sidewalk art markets throughout the year as well as summer art camps. The Dalton Gallery regularly exhibits art, and the Council provides grants to such groups as the York County Ballet. |
| Fort Mill Community Playhouse Address: 615 Bank Street, Fort Mill, SC Phone: (803) 548-8102 Website: FortMillPlayhouse.org About: Fort Mill Playhouse puts on 4-6 shows a year and is always a crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s a fun-filled musical like “The Fantasticks” or a dinner theater production of “Arsenic & Old Lace,” you can always find a smile on your face at the Playhouse! |
| Museum of York County Address: 4621 Mt. Gallant Blvd., Rock Hill, SC 29732 Phone: (803) 329-2121 Website: CHMuseums.org/myco/ About: York County has a lot of history, and the Museum is the perfect way to learn all about it! Whether you are visiting the Planetarium or viewing stunning exhibits featuring the local area, the museum is a great place for kids to learn AND have fun! |
| NarroWay Productions Address: 3346 Highway 21, Carowinds Blvd., Fort Mill, SC 29715 Phone: (803) 802-2300 Website: NarroWay.net About: NarroWay Productions has only been open since 2006 but has already produced a multitude of shows for crowds. Featuring mostly Christian entertainment, NarroWay also teaches classes and rents out space for conferences and large meetings. |
Annual Festivals |
March |
| The York County Library’s Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival About: For over a decade, the county library has hosted this event which features stories and music for adults, teens, and children alike. Storytellers, musicians, and other performing artists join in during the three-day event to help encourage kids and adults to crack open a book every once in a while. |
April |
| Come See Me Festival in Rock Hill About: This festival is a 10-day event held every April, and focuses on the lovely Glencairn Garden, which has a wide variety of flowers on display. This festival originally began is a weekend event and quickly spread to encompass 10 days with something for everyone to enjoy including a parade, a fun run, a frog jump, a teen night and a BBQ cook-off (just to name a few)! |
| Earth Day at Anne Springs Close Greenway About: Nothing celebrates Earth Day like spending time at the Greenway, enjoying hay rides, pole-fishing, live entertainment and other activities. |
May |
| Fort Mill Thunder About: This is a newer event to Fort Mill, and features a car show, music, kids’ activities and plenty of food. Sponsored by Move Fort Mill Forward, this is a great day out for those who love looking at REALLY nice cars with the added bonus of eating some great food. |
| SpringFest About: This food-and-music event is another newcomer to Fort Mill. Now a town-sponsored event, it is held at Walter Elisha Park, and replaced the now-defunct annual Fest-i-Fun event that used to take place downtown. |
June |
| Clover Scottish Highland Games About: Ever have a craving for haggis and meat pies? Then head over to Clover, SC in June and get some while watching rugby games or listening to some bagpipers. Even if your name doesn’t have “Mc” or “Mac” in front of it, all are welcome and it’s a nice event for a lovely summer day. |
July |
| Fourth of July in Tega Cay About: Now, you already know that July 4 is a big deal for our nation – but would you ever suspect that Tega Cay would be a major force to be reckoned with that day? Well, July 4 is the day that Tega Cay became an incorporated city – so it’s their own birthday celebration as well! This all-day event has a parade, fireworks, live entertainment, and amazing food. |
August |
| Summerfest in York About: Summerfest is one of the biggest events in the summer. Up to 50,000 visitors come to York every August to enjoy food, music and arts/crafts. There is also a car show the same day, and York really knows how to make Summerfest an event not to be missed! |
October |
| Art on Main About: Art on Main is an annual event held ibn Confederate Park in downtown Fort Mill that features local artists and crafters, as well as local food and music. This is a juried event and awards are given out at the end of the day for the top participants. |
| Halloween on Main Street About: One of the greatest things about living in a small town like Fort Mill is enjoying old-fashioned entertainment now and then. This Halloween-eve event features trick-or-treating for the kids while local businesses and vendors pass out candy. This fun night out almost seems like a parade with all the folks walking down Main Street in their festive costumes! |
December |
| Annual Christmas Parade About: Every year the town and the Chamber of Commerce join forces to sponsor this annual parade. Participants in the parade include local school groups, church groups, residents and many more. Who doesn’t love a parade? |
| ChristmasVille About: Rock Hill is famous for this annual event, which celebrates the artistic work of Vernon Grant (who created those lovable elves on your box of Rice Krispies). Events over the course of this 4-day event include a chili Cook-off, a 5K run, and even a dog costume contest! It also features carriage rides, a tour of historic homes, and a real Snow Village (complete with REAL snow!). |
