Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D Lights Up the State Museum This Holiday Season

Showing November 19, 2022 through January 1, 2023, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D features the same stop-motion animation as the beloved television classic. The 10-minute show delivers a visually brilliant, high-definition 3-D experience with interactive effects such as seat vibration – and even snow! When young Rudolph is teased for his red nose and runs away from Christmastown, he sets off on a series of adventures, meets new friends Hermey the Elf and Yukon Cornelius along the way, and escapes the clutches of the Abominable Snow Monster.

Guests are invited to explore the museum after-hours during the Holiday Planetarium Lighting on Thursday, December 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. In addition to extended hours, this special evening will feature holiday shows in the museum’s 4D theater and planetarium, extra shopping time in the Cotton Mill Exchange, children’s holiday crafts and an opportunity to meet Santa. At the end of the evening, the museum will officially ‘light’ the planetarium dome for the holiday with the help of our partners at Ambient Media: Event Lighting, Sound and Displays. The dome will light up every night after dark throughout December.

Santa Claus will also be visiting the State Museum on Santa Saturdays in December. He will be on hand to hear holiday wishes and take photos with guests on December 3, 10 and 17^th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Guests are welcome to take pictures with Santa with their own personal phones or cameras at no extra charge.

Full List of Shows, Events and Exhibitions

Events and exhibitions are included with museum general admission or membership. Planetarium and 4D shows are an additional charge.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D (Showing from Nov. 19 till Jan. 1):

Guests can enjoy the classic stop-motion animated story that has charmed audiences for generations with added 3D visuals and interactive effects. Join Rudolph, Hermey the Elf and their friends on this epic adventure. This 10-minute 4D experience will be showing daily through January 1, 2023 in the Rev. Dr. Solomon Jackson, Jr 4D Theater. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer © & ® or ™ The Rudolph Co., L.P. All elements under license to Character Arts, LLC. All rights reserved.

Winter Stars: Live Sky (Showing from Nov. 19 till Jan. 1):

Experience the splendor and wonder of the numerous stars, planets and other celestial objects that can be seen in the winter sky within the comfort of the museum’s 55-foot digital dome planetarium. See stunning constellations, such as Orion and Canis Major, travel to Jupiter and Saturn, and much more during this special limited-run planetarium experience.

Accessibility Mornings Saturday, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10 from 9– 11 a.m.

The museum invites its guests who are neurodiverse, autistic or have other disabilities to experience the museum at their own pace. This monthly program provides free access to the museum and other special activities, including sensory-friendly showings in the museum’s planetarium and 4D theater and meet-and greets with beloved literary characters, with The Very Hungry Caterpillar visiting on Nov. 12 and the Grinch and Santa visiting on Dec. 10. Online pre-registration is encouraged at scmuseum.org

Member Discount Days, Sat., Nov. 19 and Dec. 10

Members can enjoy an extra 10% off purchases, for a total of 20% off, in the museum store, The Cotton Mill Exchange.

Holiday Planetarium Lighting, Thursday, Dec. 1 from 5 – 7 p.m.

The museum will offer extended hours with evening 4-D and planetarium showtimes, as extra shopping time in the Cotton Mill Exchange, craft activity and more. At the end of the evening, guests will be invited outside to enjoy the “lighting” of the 55ft planetarium dome as it transforms into a giant snow globe.

Santa Saturdays, Saturday., Dec. 3, 10 and 17 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Santa Claus will make a special visit to the museum to see children and families and hear their wishes for the holiday season.

Member Holiday PJ Party, Fri., Dec. 16, from 6 – 9 p.m.

State Museum members are invited to an exclusive holiday PJ party featuring showings of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D, a planetarium experience, hands-on crafts and a Best PJs Contest.

Let’s Play! Timeless 20^th Century Toys (Nov. 19 – Jan. 8, 2023)

This new mini-exhibition highlights how toys have changed over the years through over a dozen objects from the 60s, 70s, 80s and dating back to the 1800s. Guests are invited to see the beloved toys that they played and grew up with, including G.I. Joes, Atari, Barbie and more, and admire on display on the museum’s second floor and This display also features several toys that were manufactured in and around the Columbia area.

The South Carolina Watermedia Society’s 45^th National Juried Exhibition- Closes January 8, 2023

The museum is excited to display the best watercolor, acrylic, and other water-based works of art created by artists in South Carolina and across the country. This exhibition features dozens of watercolor, acrylic, and other water-based paintings in the Lipscomb Art Gallery.

General admission to the State Museum is $8.95 for adults, $7.95 for Seniors and $6.95 for children (ages 3-12) and is free for museum members. Planetarium experiences and 4-D shows are an additional charge. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday and is closed on Monday. Due to the museum’s need to manage guest capacity, online advance ticket purchase is highly recommended at scmuseum.org.