Winterfest is back at the State Museum
December 11, 2018
The holidays are in full swing at the South Carolina State Museum. Winter Fest, sponsored by Cool Care Heating and Air, is an annual celebration packed with holiday fun for the whole family, Dec. 20 through Jan. 6. Enjoy Holidays Around the World, an exclusive Nutcracker performance, visits with Santa and a chance to ride the new SCSM North Pole Express. Guests of all ages will experience the joy of the holiday season at the museum.
In addition to these exciting Winterfest events, Santa will visit the State Museum, Friday, Dec. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 23 for an opportunity for families to meet and get their photo taken with him. Guests that purchase a photo with Santa will get a free ride on the SCSM North Pole Express. Prices for train rides without a photo are $3 for general public and $2 for museum members. There is no charge for guests to meet Santa.
Kids Holiday Spa Day, Dec. 21
Kids are invited to create their own spa themed gifts for family and friends from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Guests will receive two tickets per child with general admission. Each ticket will allow a child to create gifts like milk baths, sugar scrubs, foaming hand soap and bath salts.
Holidays around the World, Dec. 22
Guests will travel around the world during this special event from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Bright Star Entertainment will be performing “Sounds of the Season” at 11:30 a.m. and Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet will perform scenes from The Nutcracker at 1 p.m. Guests will also experience international holiday celebrations like Kwanza, Hanukkah, and hear the stories of St. Lucia, Tomte, Christkind and more. Throughout the day the museum lobby will be filled with international crafts, food, music and dancing. This event is free with general admission.
Other Winterfest Activities (Dec. 23 – Dec. 26 | Dec. 28 – Jan. 6)
Guests visiting the museum during Winterfest will experience hands on winter crafts, scavenger hunts, building activities like making their own igloo, snowball fights and indoor sledding. All activities will take place from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and are free with museum general admission.
Frozen Tea Party, Dec. 27
This magical evening will spark young guests’ imagination from 6 until 9 p.m., Wed., Dec. 27. During the event, guests will watch Disney’s Frozen, meet and greet with their favorite Frozen characters like Anna, Elsa and Olaf, and enjoy crafts and activities. There will be light snacks and refreshments and Frozen costumes are highly encouraged. Frozen Tea Party tickets are $18 per person and $15 for museum members. Space is limited, advance ticket purchase is recommended. Be sure to check out our family room option for a more relaxed viewing experience. Tickets are on sale now at scmuseum.org.
Winter Break Camps (Dec. 20 – 21, 2018 |Dec. 26 – 28, 2018 | Dec. 31 – Jan. 4, 2019)
The State Museum is excited to offer camps during Winter Break for children aged 6 – 12 years old. Each day will focus on a different subject matter and even includes a special Polar Express Day! Campers can customize their schedule. Every camp day features: morning social time with other campers, museum exploration time, hands-on and interactive activities, snack time and lunch time. Extended Day includes a snack time and activities. Visit scmuseum.org to learn more.
Holiday Shows – Now Playing Daily through Jan. 6
The Polar Express 4D Experience
Star of Bethlehem – Planetarium Show
Laser Holidays – Planetarium Show
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Laser – Planetarium Show (Tuesday nights only)
For a full list of Winterfest activities, days and times for performances and tickets for the Frozen Tea Party, visit scmuseum.org.
About the South Carolina State Museum: As the state’s largest and most comprehensive museum, the South Carolina State Museum, offers a unique, entertaining and educational experience to visitors throughout its 225,000 square foot facility located in the heart of downtown Columbia’s Congaree Vista. The State Museum is housed in one of its largest artifacts, an 1894 former textile mill listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places. In addition to beautiful meeting spaces throughout the facility, guests can explore outer space in one of the largest planetariums in the Southeast, watch an interactive 4D movie and look through a vintage telescope in a one-of-a-kind observatory. These exciting opportunities are all in addition to the four floors of South Carolina art, cultural history, natural history and science/technology. Visit scmuseum.org to learn more.
