Community Calendar

Embark on a fascinating journey through the skies and cosmos in the interactive aerospace exhibition Above and Beyond!

Above and Beyond celebrates the incredible innovations that have shaped flight – from the earliest dreams of the Wright brothers to today’s space exploration and tomorrow’s cutting-edge aviation technologies.

Explore the frontiers of air and space travel through immersive simulations, hands-on design challenges and dynamic storytelling that brings the history and future of aerospace to life. The journey begins in a wraparound immersive theater, then expands into five themed galleries featuring dozens of interactive stations.

Step into a glowing, snow-dusted wonderland with the debut of Snow Days, a one-of-a-kind indoor winter experience in Charlotte, NC, opening Saturday, November 22 and running through the winter holidays.

Snow Days is a family-friendly winter experience designed to inspire awe, nostalgia and wonder—perfect for anyone looking for indoor winter activities in Charlotte or things to do in Charlotte when it’s cold.

Highlights of Snow Days
* Aurora Borealis Experience – Walk beneath the dazzling Northern Lights in a peaceful winter scene. It’s a moment of stillness and awe in the heart of Charlotte’s newest indoor winter wonderland.
* Sock Skating Rink – Enjoy a fun indoor skating activity for all ages—no ice required! Visitors slip off their shoes and glide across a frictionless rink, making this one of the most unique indoor winter attractions in Charlotte.
* Nature & Animals in Winter – Explore how animals adapt to the cold through migration, hibernation and other survival strategies. See fascinating museum specimens like the Arctic fox, Humboldt penguin and snowy owl, and experience a blend of science and winter discovery in Charlotte.
* The Inuit: Life, Culture and Survival – Build a traditional-style igloo and explore fascinating artifacts and stories of resilience from Inuit communities who have thrived in Arctic climates for generations.
* The Snowflake: Research, Art and Folklore – Marvel at intricate snowflake photography, design virtual snowflakes, and learn how snow has inspired both science and storytelling across time. It’s a beautiful mix of art, science and winter magic.
* Hygge: Human Comfort for Survival – Relax in a cozy nook styled after the Danish and Norwegian tradition of hygge, celebrating the warm, cozy side of winter with soft lighting, music, blankets and books—an ideal spot for a winter day indoors in Charlotte.

The holiday classic soars off the screen in this musical adaptation of the beloved television special. Filled with hits like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas," Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ features all of your favorite characters including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special.

Fly High! Watch Rudolph soar above the audience as we kick off the holidays in spectacular fashion.

One-Act, approx. 60 min. / For all ages

Show Dates and Times:
Sat, Nov 22: 11 AM & 3 PM
Sun, Nov 23: 2 & 4 PM
Fri, Nov 28: 2 & 4 PM
Sat, Nov 29: 11 AM & 3 PM
Sun, Nov 30: 2 & 4 PM
Sat, Dec 6: 11 AM & 3 PM
Sun, Dec 7: 11 AM & 2 PM
Sat, Dec 13: 11 AM & 3 PM
Sun, Dec 14: 11 AM & 2 PM
Fri, Dec 19: 7 PM
Sat, Dec 20: 11 AM & 3 PM
Sun, Dec 21: 2 & 4 PM
Mon, Dec 22: 11 AM & 2 PM
Tues, Dec 23: 11 AM & 2 PM

ASL-Interpreted Show: Sat, Dec 6 at 3 PM
Sensory-Friendly Performance: Sun, Dec 21 at 4 PM

"The Invented Indigenous Histories of Appalachian Show Caves"
Dr. Chelsea Fisher, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of South Carolina

Show caves – caves operated as commercial attractions - have been a fixture of Appalachian tourism since the nineteenth century. In this talk, Dr. Fisher will examine Appalachian show caves as a technology of colonialism, which extended principles of terra nullius (“nobody’s land”) underground by casting caves as empty wastes and then filling them with settler fantasies about Indigenous culture and history. Through an exploration of Gilded Age and Victorian-era show cave guidebooks, souvenirs, literature, and other memorabilia, Fisher will show how seemingly innocuous tourist traps reproduce settler fantasies, and discuss how expelling these fantasies can make room for the restoration of anti-colonial and Indigenous histories to subterranean realms.

Presented in person and virtually. To attend via Zoom, register via this link: https://bit.ly/4kTlxXF

Visit The Farm during an after-hours celebration of the holidays. Admire thousands of holiday lights while you relax near the bonfire with a cup of hot cocoa and interact with the farm animals. Create custom gift wrap and ornaments too!

Fridays this season: November 28, December 5, 12, and 19, 5-8 PM

Don't miss a Holiday Laser Show in the planetarium on these Fridays at 6 PM or 7 PM. Tickets sold separately.

Embark on a fascinating journey through the skies and cosmos in the interactive aerospace exhibition Above and Beyond!

Above and Beyond celebrates the incredible innovations that have shaped flight – from the earliest dreams of the Wright brothers to today’s space exploration and tomorrow’s cutting-edge aviation technologies.

Explore the frontiers of air and space travel through immersive simulations, hands-on design challenges and dynamic storytelling that brings the history and future of aerospace to life. The journey begins in a wraparound immersive theater, then expands into five themed galleries featuring dozens of interactive stations.

Step into a glowing, snow-dusted wonderland with the debut of Snow Days, a one-of-a-kind indoor winter experience in Charlotte, NC, opening Saturday, November 22 and running through the winter holidays.

Snow Days is a family-friendly winter experience designed to inspire awe, nostalgia and wonder—perfect for anyone looking for indoor winter activities in Charlotte or things to do in Charlotte when it’s cold.

Highlights of Snow Days
* Aurora Borealis Experience – Walk beneath the dazzling Northern Lights in a peaceful winter scene. It’s a moment of stillness and awe in the heart of Charlotte’s newest indoor winter wonderland.
* Sock Skating Rink – Enjoy a fun indoor skating activity for all ages—no ice required! Visitors slip off their shoes and glide across a frictionless rink, making this one of the most unique indoor winter attractions in Charlotte.
* Nature & Animals in Winter – Explore how animals adapt to the cold through migration, hibernation and other survival strategies. See fascinating museum specimens like the Arctic fox, Humboldt penguin and snowy owl, and experience a blend of science and winter discovery in Charlotte.
* The Inuit: Life, Culture and Survival – Build a traditional-style igloo and explore fascinating artifacts and stories of resilience from Inuit communities who have thrived in Arctic climates for generations.
* The Snowflake: Research, Art and Folklore – Marvel at intricate snowflake photography, design virtual snowflakes, and learn how snow has inspired both science and storytelling across time. It’s a beautiful mix of art, science and winter magic.
* Hygge: Human Comfort for Survival – Relax in a cozy nook styled after the Danish and Norwegian tradition of hygge, celebrating the warm, cozy side of winter with soft lighting, music, blankets and books—an ideal spot for a winter day indoors in Charlotte.

The Harris YMCA Performing Dance Company proudly presents their 24th annual production of the Nutcracker Ballet. Show times:
Saturday 12/20
10:30
1:30
4:30
7:30

Sunday 12/21
1:00
4:00

The holiday classic soars off the screen in this musical adaptation of the beloved television special. Filled with hits like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas," Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ features all of your favorite characters including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special.

Fly High! Watch Rudolph soar above the audience as we kick off the holidays in spectacular fashion.

One-Act, approx. 60 min. / For all ages

Show Dates and Times:
Sat, Nov 22: 11 AM & 3 PM
Sun, Nov 23: 2 & 4 PM
Fri, Nov 28: 2 & 4 PM
Sat, Nov 29: 11 AM & 3 PM
Sun, Nov 30: 2 & 4 PM
Sat, Dec 6: 11 AM & 3 PM
Sun, Dec 7: 11 AM & 2 PM
Sat, Dec 13: 11 AM & 3 PM
Sun, Dec 14: 11 AM & 2 PM
Fri, Dec 19: 7 PM
Sat, Dec 20: 11 AM & 3 PM
Sun, Dec 21: 2 & 4 PM
Mon, Dec 22: 11 AM & 2 PM
Tues, Dec 23: 11 AM & 2 PM

ASL-Interpreted Show: Sat, Dec 6 at 3 PM
Sensory-Friendly Performance: Sun, Dec 21 at 4 PM

Celebrate the spirit of the season with an evening of holiday music performed LIVE under the immersive dome of The Schiele’s planetarium. Bring the whole family for a magical night of festive favorites by local artist Caleb Davis. Enjoy seasonal drinks and photo opportunities before the show.

Showtimes at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 PM