Calendar

Upcoming Programs & Events

	January 2026
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1 CLOSED FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY CLOSED FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY January 1, 2026 Happy New Years! In observance of the holiday, CSC is closed. •	2	3
4	5 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 5, 2026 •	6 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 6, 2026 •	7 Staff Meeting Staff Meeting January 7, 2026 1:30 am - 2:30 am •	8	9	10
11	12 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 12, 2026 •	13 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 13, 2026 Guild Meeting Guild Meeting January 13, 2026 10:00 am - 11:00 am • •	14	15 Sponsor/Donor Sponsor/Donor January 15, 2026 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm •	16	17
18	19 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 19, 2026 •	20 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 20, 2026 •	21	22	23 Astronomy Speaker Pranvera Hyseni Astronomy Speaker Pranvera Hyseni January 23, 2026 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Join us for an evening exploring our expanding universe with Pranvera Hyseni, renowned planetary scientist and cosmochemist. This exclusive opportunity to attend Hyseni's lecture will be held Friday, January 23rd from 7 to 8:30pm in the Drendel Auditorium on the SALT Block. Tickets available HERE $4 for CSC & CVAC Members and $6 for non-members, students are free with student ID. Don't miss the annual astronomy festival, BoBfest, on January 24th in the West Wing on the SALT Block. This event is free to attend. More information can be found HERE. •	24 BoBfest 2026! BoBfest 2026! January 24, 2026 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Calling all amateur astronomers! BoBfest is a FREE in-person event open to any and all who have an interest in astronomy. This is the 34th Annual BoBfest! BoBfest is a place for regional astronomers to gather and share in their mutual love for the stars and beyond. Find your niche interest and attend a table talk or swap equipment at the marketplace. BoBfest is held in the West Wing on the SALT Block hosted by the Catawba Science Center and planned by the Catawba Valley Astronomy Club. •
25	26 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 26, 2026 •	27 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 27, 2026 •	28	29	30	31

Public Planetarium Shows

*Please Note: seating in the Millholland Planetarium is limited to 65. Seats will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.*

	January 2026
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1 CLOSED FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY CLOSED FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY January 1, 2026 Happy New Years! In observance of the holiday, CSC is closed. •	2 Holiday Laser Lights Holiday Laser Lights January 2, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Khrumka's Adventures Khrumka's Adventures January 2, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 2, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm 123 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 2:00 PM Ice Worlds Ice Worlds January 2, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm • • • •	3 Holiday Laser Lights Holiday Laser Lights January 3, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Khrumka's Adentures Khrumka's Adentures January 3, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Ice Worlds Ice Worlds January 3, 2026 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm • • •
4 Khrumka's Adventures Khrumka's Adventures January 4, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 4, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 2:00 PM Holiday Laser Lights Holiday Laser Lights January 4, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm • • •	5 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 5, 2026 •	6 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 6, 2026 •	7 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 7, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 3:00 PM •	8 Astronaut Astronaut January 8, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 3:00 PM •	9 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 9, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 2:00 PM Astronaut Astronaut January 9, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 3:00 PM • •	10 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 10, 2026 11:00 am - 11:30 am 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 3:00 PM Astronaut Astronaut January 10, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:22 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 2:00 PM Always Above Always Above January 10, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:20 pm 12 min show + star talk Always Above explores how close space is to our daily lives, what type of satellites are up there, the threats that exist, and the role that the U.S. Space Force plays in launching, operating, and defending these assets. Show Begins at 3:00 PM • • •
11 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 11, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 2:00 PM Always Above Always Above January 11, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:20 pm 12 min show + star talk Always Above explores how close space is to our daily lives, what type of satellites are up there, the threats that exist, and the role that the U.S. Space Force plays in launching, operating, and defending these assets. Show Begins at 3:00 PM • •	12 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 12, 2026 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 12, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Take an imaginative look at the legend of the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion of the summer sky. Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 12, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Take an imaginative look at the legend of the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion of the summer sky. • • •	13 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 13, 2026 •	14 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 14, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 3:00 PM •	15 Astronaut Astronaut January 15, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 3:00 PM •	16 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 16, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 2:00 PM Astronaut Astronaut January 16, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 3:00 PM • •	17 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 17, 2026 11:00 am - 11:30 am 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 3:00 PM Astronaut Astronaut January 17, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:22 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 2:00 PM • •
18 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 18, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 2:00 PM Always Above Always Above January 18, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:20 pm 12 min show + star talk Always Above explores how close space is to our daily lives, what type of satellites are up there, the threats that exist, and the role that the U.S. Space Force plays in launching, operating, and defending these assets. Show Begins at 3:00 PM • •	19 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 19, 2026 •	20 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 20, 2026 •	21 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 21, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 3:00 PM •	22 Astronaut Astronaut January 22, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 3:00 PM •	23 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 23, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 2:00 PM Astronaut Astronaut January 23, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 3:00 PM • •	24 Oasis in Space Oasis in Space January 24, 2026 10:45 am - 11:15 am Embark on a startling journey and beautiful voyage through our universe and galaxy, and travel through our Solar System visiting all of our planets in search of water - a key ingredient for life on Earth. Magic Tree House Magic Tree House January 24, 2026 11:45 am - 12:15 pm Travel with Jack and Annie, stars of the Magic Tree House best-selling children's book series, as they visit an observatory and beyond into space with the help of an astronomer and astronaut. Experience the Aurora Experience the Aurora January 24, 2026 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm See the Aurora Borealis as it's never been seen before. Join scientists and photographers on a 7-month journey to capture the perfect shot. For the first time the aurora has been captured as it was meant to be experienced, as a display that covers the entire sky. Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 24, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Take an imaginative look at the legend of the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion of the summer sky. Astronaut Astronaut January 24, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 2:00 PM • • • • •
25 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 25, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 2:00 PM Always Above Always Above January 25, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:20 pm 12 min show + star talk Always Above explores how close space is to our daily lives, what type of satellites are up there, the threats that exist, and the role that the U.S. Space Force plays in launching, operating, and defending these assets. Show Begins at 3:00 PM • •	26 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 26, 2026 •	27 CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC January 27, 2026 •	28 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 28, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 3:00 PM •	29 Astronaut Astronaut January 29, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 3:00 PM •	30 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 30, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 2:00 PM Astronaut Astronaut January 30, 2026 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 3:00 PM • •	31 Legends of the Night Sky: Orion Legends of the Night Sky: Orion January 31, 2026 11:00 am - 11:30 am 24 min show + star talk Legends takes an imaginative look at the stories and legends about the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the winter sky, his two hunting dogs, and Scorpius, the scorpion in the summer sky. Show Begins at 3:00 PM Astronaut Astronaut January 31, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:22 pm 23 min show + star talk The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Astronaut, take you from Earth into space…and beyond. Show Begins at 2:00 PM • •

Denise G.

Fabulous and I don’t often give praise. We took our grandson and were there for hours. He loved it and so did we.

– Denise G.

Larry W.

Took the kiddos and they loved it. Employees were nice and helpful. If your looking for something to do with the kids give this place a shot.

-Larry W.

Tiffany F.

We love the Science Center! I take my 2 and 4 year old boys weekly to play and enjoy the exhibits. The staff are wonderful and the classes offered are excellent! We are so blessed to have such an amazing resource in our area.

– Tiffany F.

Meredith C.

What a wonderful place to visit! Great environment to learn and the staff is very helpful! Hickory is lucky to have great family education and entertainment.

– Meredith C.

Sam H.

This place was great. We have kids from 8 to 1 and they all had a great time. What I really liked is most of the exhibits are hands on and that really kept them occupied.

– Sam H.

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