Way Late Play Date: RETROspective Rewind
2025-10-03 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago)
Friday, October 3 | 7:00 - 10:00 PM | 21+As featured in "18 Nashville Events & Happenings" by StyleBluePrint One night. All the eras. From Sinatra to Swift. Join us for our 80th and the ultimate decades costume bash — where science, nostalgia, and nightlife collide. Enjoy a rad line up of activities from programming, tech dissections, and DNA discoveries to retro games, dance parties, and gravity challenges. Put a personal spin on it and come dressed as your favorite decade! GET TICKETS What to Expect: ⭐ Two words: Laser. Shows. Old-School Games & Vintage Gadgets – Get hands-on with tech from decades past. Themed Cocktails & Brews – Sip science-inspired drinks at our pop-up bars. Live Demos & Flashback Experiments – Watch sparks fly with retro science shows.📼 Retro Dance Party – Dance to throwback hits from all your favorite eras.Whether you’re reliving your glory days or just curious about what came before, RETROspective Rewind celebrates curiosity across the ages — drinks in hand, neurons firing. Secure your tickets today! >>Buy Tickets<<Food & Drink available for purchase:Bars:Rosemary & Beauty QueenFood Trucks:The Grilled CheeserieSpecial thanks to our partners: Interested in volunteering at this event? Visit our volunteer webpage to learn more.

80th Birthday Bash – On Halloween!
2025-10-31 09:00 - 15:00 UTC | Adventure Science Center, Nashville
Friday, October 31st | 9:00 am to 3:00 pm🎉 We’re Turning 80! 🎉This October 31, Adventure Science Center celebrates eight decades of wonder, curiosity, and fun! Join us for a spook-tacular birthday bash packed with hands-on activities inspired by 1945—the year we first opened our doors. Costumes encouraged (no masks or weapons, please). Event activities are included with general admission. Activities include: 📦 Time Capsule ThrowbackStep into 1945! We've been digging in the archives and can't wait for you to see what we found. 🍬 M&M FireworksWatch colors burst as you explore candy dyes and how the iconic M&M has changed since our opening year. 🌀 DIY Silly PuttyAccidents can lead to awesome! Make your own Silly Putty and learn how one WWII experiment (trying to create synthetic rubber) turned into a toy-box legend. 🪀 Slinky Science From a shipyard stumble to a toy sensation—discover the twisty physics of the Slinky.

Día de los Muertos Celebration
2025-11-01 09:00 - 17:00 UTC | Adventure Science Center, Nashville
Saturday, November 1st | 9:00 am to 5:00 pmA day filled with hands-on activities for the whole family. In partnership with Conexión Américas, we’ll explore the traditions, art, and science woven into this vibrant holiday. Event is included with general admission. COST: INCLUDED IN GENERAL ADMISSION✨ What to Expect:📸 Photo Backdrop — Capture the moment with a festive keepsake.🌼 Marigold Headbands — Craft the iconic flower of remembrance.🪙 Hojalata Folk Art — Create your own embossed tin masterpiece while learning about symmetry and design.💀 Sugar Skull Planters — Decorate a 3D-printed calavera to take home (while supplies last).

Veteran and Military Family Night
2025-11-10 15:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
thank you.Adventure Science Center and Operation Stand Down invite veterans and military families to a free evening of discovery on Monday, November 10. From 1530 – 1900, enjoy hands-on exhibits, planetarium shows, and quality time together as we honor your service. Free entry for Gold Star Families, Blue Star Families, Veterans, Military, Guard and Reserves Military IDs will be checked at the door. English Español de México English

Thanksgiving (closed)
2025-11-27 | Adventure Science Center, Nashville
Closed Thanksgiving, Open Black Friday

Adventure Science Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day so our team can spend time with family and friends.
We'll be open on Black Friday for our regular hours, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm!

Laser Holidays
2025-12-18 14:15 - 14:45, 2025-12-19 14:15 - 14:45, 2025-12-20 16:15 - 16:45, 2025-12-21 16:15 - 16:45, 2025-12-22 14:15 - 14:45 (America/Chicago)
Classic and modern holiday favorites set to fantastic lasers!
Take holiday lights to an epic new level with a festive laser show that unites modern and classic hits with stunning laser lights. It's electrifying for all ages.

Skating – Vince Guaraldi Trio
Little St. Nick – The Beach Boys
Let It Snow – Dean Martin
Tennessee Christmas – Amy Grant
You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch – Thurl Ravenscoft
Winter Wonderland - Michael Bublé
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
Carol of the Bells - Josh Wilson
Christmas All Over Again – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Christmas On The Square – Dolly Parton
All I want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
New Year's Eve Polka (5-4-3-2-1) - Jimmy Fallon with "Weird" Al Yankovic and The Roots
Wizards In Winter – Trans Siberian Orchestra

Track selections are subject to change.
37 minutesRecommended ages 6 and upCategories: laser show, great for kids, available for private events
This program contains flashing lights that may affect guests who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy or other photo-sensitivities.

Polaris
2025-12-19 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-12-21 10:15 - 10:45, 2025-12-21 13:15 - 13:45, 2025-12-22 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-12-26 10:15 - 10:45, 2025-12-26 13:15 - 13:45, 2025-12-27 14:15 - 14:45, 2025-12-28 10:15 - 10:45 (America/Chicago) and 4 more dates
THE SPACE SUBMARINE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE POLAR NIGHTJames and Vladimir become friends, talk about their respective regions and observe the stars together, wondering why the night is so long at the poles of the Earth. Novice astronomers, they are trying to solve this mystery by reasoning and observation. Thanks to the rigor of James and the inventive genius of Vladimir, their scientific adventure leads them to build an observatory and then an improvised spaceship. During a trip around the Earth, extended to Mars and Saturn, they get their answer and discover that the planets have similarities but also differences. Captions are available for Polaris—ask a team member as you enter the planetarium. Learn about accessibility at ASC. 29 minutesRecommended for ages 4–12

Polaris PJ Party
2025-12-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-27 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Polaris * the even cozier* PJ Party!
This year’s Polaris PJ Party returns cozier and more wondrous than ever.
After stargazing with Polaris, families are invited to step into a winter wonderland filled with hands-on snowy science activities.
Enjoy hot cocoa topped with liquid nitrogen marshmallows and a joyful photo moment with James the penguin and Vladimir the polar bear. Every family receives a printed and digital keepsake photo to remember the magic.
Ticket Cost:

$13 Members
$15 Non-members (plus general admission)
FREE for Explorers Society + BONUS GIFT

Gather up your favorite festive pajamas and get your tickets today. Saturday, December 27 • 10AMSaturday, December 27 • 11AMPolaris, the Space Submarine & the Mystery of the Polar Night is an award-winning film about a curious polar bear and penguin. The dynamic duo team up to explore the stars and solve the mystery of long winter nights at the Earth’s poles. Their adventure takes them from a homemade observatory to a whirlwind trip around Earth, Mars, and Saturn—discovering what makes each planet unique. Captions are available. Ask a team member as you enter the planetarium to learn more about accessibility options. Run time: 29 minRecommended Age: 4-12 Special photo keepsake sponsored by Delta Dental.

Polaris PJ Party
2025-12-20 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Polaris * the even cozier* PJ Party!
This year’s Polaris PJ Party returns cozier and more wondrous than ever.
After stargazing with Polaris, families are invited to step into a winter wonderland filled with hands-on snowy science activities.
Enjoy hot cocoa topped with liquid nitrogen marshmallows and a joyful photo moment with James the penguin and Vladimir the polar bear. Every family receives a printed and digital keepsake photo to remember the magic.
Ticket Cost:

$13 Members
$15 Non-members (plus general admission)
FREE for Explorers Society + BONUS GIFT

Gather up your favorite festive pajamas and get your tickets today. Saturday, December 20 • 10AMSaturday, December 20 • 11AMSaturday, December 27 • 10AMSaturday, December 27 • 11AMPolaris, the Space Submarine & the Mystery of the Polar Night is an award-winning film about a curious polar bear and penguin. The dynamic duo team up to explore the stars and solve the mystery of long winter nights at the Earth’s poles. Their adventure takes them from a homemade observatory to a whirlwind trip around Earth, Mars, and Saturn—discovering what makes each planet unique. Captions are available. Ask a team member as you enter the planetarium to learn more about accessibility options. Run time: 29 minRecommended Age: 4-12

STEM Storytime
2025-12-22 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-12-29 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Chicago)
STEM Storytime is our weekly themed story time for pre-K kids at the science center. Each week, we'll read a different book related to a STEAM concept and explorers will have the opportunity to complete an accompanying activity.
When: Every Monday morning at 9:30 amWhere: Eureka Theatre on the second floor of the science centerCost: Included in the cost of general admissionBest for: Children 5 and under

STARS: The Powerhouses of the Universe
2026-01-01 13:15 - 13:45, 2026-01-02 13:15 - 13:45 (America/Chicago)
Every star has a story. Some are faint and almost forgotten. Others burn bright and end their lives in powerful explosions. New stars are created every day within vast clouds of gas and dust. Through every phase of their existence, stars release the energy that powers the Universe. Journey to the furthest reaches of our galaxy and experience both the awesome beauty and destructive power of STARS. This dramatic program features the voice talent of Mark Hamill and amazing animation by the National Space Centre, Leicester, UK. The Nashville Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Albert-George Schram, resident conductor, performed part of the original STARS soundtrack, composed by Pip Greasley. STARS is a production of the Sudekum Planetarium at Adventure Science Center. 30 minutesRecommended Elementary + Captions are available for STARS — ask a team member as you enter the planetarium. Learn about accessibility at ASC.
