Snow Days Returns to Discovery Place Science for a Season of Winter Fun

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (November 5, 2026) – After its popular debut last year, Snow Days returns to Discovery Place Science on November 21 for another season of winter-inspired exploration. As snowflakes fall across the projection-covered floor and footprints appear in the “snow” beneath visitors’ feet, a world of winter wonder sets the scene for exploring the season through light, science and storytelling.

“Winter offers so many opportunities for discovery, from the science behind a single snowflake to the remarkable ways animals adapt to life in some of the coldest environments on Earth,” said Dr. Lisa Hoopes, Chief Science Officer at Discovery Place. “With Snow Days, we bring those wonders to life in ways that encourage visitors to explore and experience the winter season in a whole new way.”

Produced in-house by the Discovery Place team, Snow Days brings together science, seasonal nostalgia and family-friendly fun through a variety of interactive, hands-on experiences. Visitors can go sock skating, build a life-sized igloo, engineer 3D snowflakes, explore arctic animal specimens, discover how wildlife survives in cold climates and more.

Snow Days experiences:

Sock Skating Rink – Join a fun-filled winter tradition and glide across a frictionless skating experience—no ice skates required!

Igloos and Inuit Culture – Build a life-sized igloo and explore fascinating artifacts and stories of resilience from Inuit communities who have thrived in arctic climates for generations.

Snowflake Science – Explore unique snowflake patterns and shapes, design snowflake prints and uncover the science behind nature’s most beautiful ice crystals.

Aurora Borealis Experience – Step into an even more breathtaking Northern Lights experience. Pause beneath the mesmerizing colors of the Aurora Borealis and take in the beauty of this natural phenomenon. Discover what makes the aurora glow by experimenting with different gases in the atmosphere and watching the colors transform.

Nature & Animals in Winter – Get up close to museum specimens, including the red fox, gray wolf, Humboldt penguin and snowy owl, and discover how different species adapt to the cold through migration, hibernation and more. New this year, explore through touch by comparing tactile furs, a snapping turtle shell and casts of animal tracks.

Visit Snow Days:

Where: Discovery Place Science, 301 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC

When: Open November 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027

Ticket Info: Included in museum admission and free for members.

Media Preview: Media is invited by appointment to preview the Snow Days exhibit. Please contact Alyssa Mulliger, amulliger@discoveryplace.org, to schedule a walkthrough.

Exhibition imagery: Images for media use along with credits and captions are available here.

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About Discovery Place Science

Located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, Discovery Place Science is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a leading hub for science learning in the Carolinas. Through exploration, experimentation and discovery, the museum’s educational programs, interactive experiences and large-scale exhibitions invite visitors of all ages to engage with science—cultivating curiosity, inspiring lifelong learning and empowering future generations of thinkers, innovators and problem-solvers. For more information about Discovery Place Science, visit discoveryplace.org.