Big news for curious minds: Discovery Place Science in Uptown Charlotte has launched its 45th Anniversary Season, running October 2026 through September 2027 — a full year of celebration at the hands-on science museum ranked a Top 10 Science Museum in the U.S. by National Geographic.
The anniversary season brings five new featured exhibitions, brand-new IMAX films in the spectacular IMAX Dome Theatre, special celebrations and events all year — plus LASER NIGHTS, a brand-new laser concert series kicking off October 31, 2026. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) museum, every visit supports science education across the Carolinas.
What makes it special
- Hands-on everything — explore a rainforest, see live science experiments and meet animals up close.
- IMAX Dome Theatre — giant-screen films in one of the region’s most impressive theaters.
- Live shows daily — demonstrations and animal encounters included with admission.
- Four museums, one mission — Discovery Place also operates the Charlotte Museum of Nature and Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville and Rockingham.
Plan your visit
- Where: Discovery Place Science, Uptown Charlotte
- Hours: Sun 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Tickets: discoveryplace.org
- Tip: check the daily schedule for showtimes and special anniversary events
Whether it is your first visit or your fiftieth, the 45th Anniversary Season is the perfect excuse to rediscover Charlotte’s favorite place to play with science. Happy City News calls it the best rainy-day — and every-day — family outing in the Queen City.
Memberships pay for themselves in just a few visits and support the museum’s education programs all year. Pair your visit with lunch in Uptown and a stroll through nearby parks. Between the new exhibitions, the IMAX Dome and LASER NIGHTS, there has never been a better year to be curious in Charlotte.
