State Museum Kicks Off Holiday Season with Month-Long WinterFest Celebration

The month of December is filled with shopping, holiday shows and family-friendly activities

The South Carolina State Museum is officially kicking-off the holiday season with a month-long WinterFest celebration with great shopping events, holiday shows and movies and family-friendly events taking place throughout the month of December. All holiday activities will be held at the State Museum, located at 301 Gervais St. in Columbia.

“We are very excited that the holiday season is finally here,” said museum executive director Willie Calloway. “There is much to do and explore during this time of year at the State Museum. We look forward to continuing new family traditions with our planetarium and 4D holiday shows and hope families looking for something fun to do will visit us throughout December.”

Second Shift Tuesday Shopping and Special Events: The State Museum is open late every Tuesday and, in December, has a variety of evening events planned to celebrate the holiday season. Guests can also shop after-hours this holiday season at the State Museum’s store, the Cotton Mill Exchange. The store carries a variety of gifts representing every corner of South Carolina, including jewelry, clothing, throws, tote bags, table linens and glassware. The store is open until 8:00 p.m. for late shopping during Second Shift Tuesdays. Other Second Shift Tuesday events include:

• Tasting Tuesdays: The museum is bringing back a new tradition celebrating South Carolina foodways called Tasting Tuesdays. Join the museum for the first four Tuesdays in December from 5 – 8 p.m. for free South Carolina-made food samplings by local companies and enjoy samples of local beer, wine and cider while you shop.

• Live music every December Tuesday: During the first four Tuesday evening’s in December, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the museum will host live music in the main lobby. Musical styles from Bluegrass to singer/songwriter acoustic tunes will entertain guests while they stay late to shop, watch THE POLAR EXPRESS 4D Experience or check out the night sky in the observatory.
  • Dec. 1: SC Bluegrass Association and Willie Wells and the Blue Ridge Mountain Grass (Gail Wilson-Giarratano will also hold a book signing on Dec. 1 for her new book focusing on Bluegrass Traditions)
  • Dec. 8: Michael Shull
  • Dec. 15: Bennett and Coolidge
  • Dec. 22: TBD

 

Holiday 4D and Planetarium Shows: Experience holiday shows and movies like never before in the museum’s multisensory 4D theater and immersive planetarium.

• THE POLAR EXPRESS 4D Experience: You’re invited on an extraordinary 4D adventure this holiday season on THE POLAR EXPRESS! When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.  THE POLAR EXPRESS 4D Experience is a 15 minute 4D movie and is playing now through Sunday, Jan. 3 in the Rev. Dr. Solomon Jackson, JR 4D Theater. Visit scmuseum.org for a list of show times.

• Star of Bethlehem: This full dome planetarium experience travels back in time to Bethlehem to investigate fascinating ideas about the “Christmas Star.” The show presents historical and scientific facts to unravel this 2,000-year old mystery through a special audiovisual display featuring popular Christmas carols.  Star of Bethlehem is a 25 minute show and is playing now through Sunday, Jan. 3 in the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Planetarium.  Visit scmuseum.org for a list of show times.

• Holiday Laser Light Shows:  The State Museum is giving a new meaning to “holiday lights” as it presents two holiday laser light shows, Laser Holidays and Christmas Laser Fantasy: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas.  Both shows offer an exciting and unique way to celebrate the season through a display of colorful and dramatic laser lights choreographed to a mix of holiday music favorites. Each show is approximately 40 minutes and will play in the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Planetarium.  Visit scmuseum.org for a list of show times.

 

Special Holiday Events: Get into the holiday spirit with a variety of fun, family-friendly events.

• Holidays Around the World – Winterfest Kick-Off Celebration: Saturday, Dec. 19

Kick off the Winterfest celebration with the State Museum during Holidays around the World, a special event focusing on international holiday celebrations like Kwanza, Hanukkah, Christmas and more. Enjoy international crafts, food and more. The celebration will be from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

• Visits with Santa: Dec. 19 – Dec. 23

Get your cameras ready for a special visitor from the North Pole! During the week before Christmas, Santa will make several visits to the State Museum. New this year – Green Screen Santa – choose your own magical Santa setting for your family picture! Visits with Santa are included with museum general admission, Green Screen Santa pictures require an additional fee.

• Winter Solstice Solar Observation: Dec. 21

Join astronomy educator, Larry Metcalf on Dec. 21, for a fun day of solar observation. Larry brings a suite of telescopes equipped to safely view features such as sun spots, solar flares and filaments. Larry Metcalf is a member of the Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project, offering solar viewing to schools, libraries and museums all over South Carolina.

• Bright Star Theater Plays: Dec. 22

Guests will be delighted this year with two entertaining holiday plays for all ages to enjoy. “Holidays around the World” will start at 11:00 a.m. and “A Christmas Carol” will start at 2:00 p.m. The Crescent Café will have hot chocolate and cookies available for purchase during the plays.

• Frozen Sing-A-Long: Dec. 30

The State Museum presents “Frozen Sing-A-Long,” a magical evening to spark young guests’ imagination from 5 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday Dec. 30. During the event, guests will watch a special Sing-A-Long version of Disney’s “Frozen,” meet and greet with their favorite “Frozen” characters and enjoy crafts and activities. There will be light snacks and refreshments. “Frozen” costumes are highly encouraged. “Frozen Sing-A-Long” tickets are $15 per person and $12 for museum members. Space is limited, advance ticket purchase is recommended by visiting scmuseum.org or by calling (803) 898-4999. Tickets will go on sale Dec. 1. Click here for more info.

 

 

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 greatest artifacts, an 1894 old textile mill full of character and charm.  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 that guests can experience.  For more information about the museum, visit scmuseum.org.