South Carolina State Museum

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Holidays at the South Carolina State Museum

The South Carolina State Museum is the perfect destination for holiday fun with special 4d theater and planetarium experiences, exhibitions, shopping...
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Rocky landscape at night with green and purple aurora lights glowing in the dark sky
Planetarium

Áróra

Explore the beauty of the Northern Lights in Áróra, an immersive planetarium experience exploring these mystical lights in 4K.
Learn More
Mannequin on white background wearing light blue off the shoulder ballgown with twirling skite in light blue layers of chiffon.
Exhibitions

Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume

Opening May 3, 2025! Created by the Walt Disney Archives, this critically acclaimed exhibition features more than 70 costumes, from characters such as...
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Space with wooden floors, tables and shelves full of houseware products (cutting boards, plates, cups, etc) with South Carolina imagery including crescents and palmetto trees
Visit

Museum Store

The South Carolina State Museum Store offers a variety of unique items from beautiful linens and jewelry to decorative items for your home or office...
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Dad with son on his shoulders points at the antique Anderson Car on display with Mom and daughter nearby.
Support

Become a Member

Join the fun and save all year when you become a member of the State Museum!

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Museum Hours

Open today from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

South Carolina State Museum301 Gervais StreetColumbia, SC 29201

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Plan Your Visit

Holiday Planetarium Lighting

Celebrate the holiday season with this special evening event at the South Carolina State Museum featuring a chance to meet Santa, see special holiday shows and more!
SC2000.66.21e-View 1 of Monogrammed Sterling Silver Dinner Fork

What's Happening at the Museum

See events calendar
Event

Holiday Planetarium Lighting

Thurs., Dec. 5 from 4 - 7 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season with this special evening event at the South Carolina State Museum featuring a chance to meet Santa, see special holiday shows and more!
ASL Interpretation
Included with Admission
Suitable for All Ages
Wheelchair Accessible
Event

Santa Saturdays

Sat., Nov. 30 & Sat., Dec. 7, 14, and 21 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Meet Santa, enjoy holiday shows and more at the South Carolina State Museum this season!
Included with Admission
Suitable for All Ages
Wheelchair Accessible
Event

Accessibility Morning - Meet Santa & The Grinch

Sat., Dec. 14, 2024 | 9 - 11 a.m. Meet Santa, The Grinch and more during this special morning designed for guests who would benefit from a quieter, sensory-friendly and disability-adapted experience.
ASL Interpretation
Assistive Listening Device
Captioning Available
Suitable for All Ages
Wheelchair Accessible
Rocky landscape at night with green and purple aurora lights glowing in the dark sky
Planetarium

Áróra

Explore the beauty of the Northern Lights in Áróra, an immersive planetarium experience exploring these mystical lights in 4K.
Learn More
rows of people in line of seats arranged in a slight curve looking up a screen in a dome shape that shows a vast landscape with glowy green lights in a dark sky.
Planetarium

Áróra

This full-dome planetarium experience takes guests across remote Icelandic landscapes and into space to find and understand these mystical, eerie...

Click to learn more about this show and buy tickets
Large rocky cliff face with waterfall under a night sky glowing with green lights from the aurora borealis
Planetarium

Áróra

Explore how these stunning displays of colors have also been seen on other planets and moons throughout our galaxy.

Click to learn more about this show and buy tickets
Three audience members sit in a row from left to right looking up at a screen showing a projection of bright glowing green lights
Planetarium

Áróra

Learn how various communities worldwide have tried to make sense of the Northern Lights by incorporating them into their folktales and mythology.

Click to learn more about this show and buy tickets

Explore Exhibitions

Changing Exhibition

Shared Sacrifice: South Carolina in World War II

Highlighting the 180,000 South Carolinians who served in World War II, this exhibition explores the powerful stories of the men and women who...
Included with Admission
Wheelchair Accessible
Changing Exhibition

Apollo 16 & Beyond: South Carolina in Space

Explore the history behind South Carolina astronaut Charles Duke's Apollo 16 lunar mission and learn about scientists and engineers who have...
Suitable for All Ages
Included with Admission
Wheelchair Accessible
Changing Exhibition

Make Some Noise: the Science of Sound

Make Some Noise: the Science of Sound engages guests of all ages in an interactive world of sound! Explore the way sound travels, how humans and...
Suitable for All Ages
Included with Admission
Wheelchair Accessible
Rocky landscape at night with green and purple aurora lights glowing in the dark sky

Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume

New Blockbuster Exhibition | Opens May 3, 2025

Created by the Walt Disney Archives, this critically acclaimed exhibition features more than 70 costumes, from characters such as Cinderella to Maleficent and more.

Learn More About This Upcoming Blockbuster Exhibition

Accessibility at the Museum

The South Carolina State Museum is committed to providing accessible and inclusive experiences for our guests. 

Learn More about Accessibility at the Museum
Guide presents ASL interpretation during planetarium show

Featured Articles

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Headphones hang on a microphone stand with a purple and blue wall in the background

Our State, Our Stories Podcast

Developed to coincide with the museum's 35th anniversary, this new series explores stories that uncover South Carolina's rich past through in-depth looks at the museum's collection, behind-the-scenes peeks, and more.

Learn more and subscribe to the podcast