CHANGING LIVES AND INSPIRING LEARNING THROUGH SCIENCE AND WONDER.

Science After Dark

2026 Events

This is NOT your High School Science Class...
Experience hands-on science fun for adults! Science After Dark provides the opportunity to visit CSC exhibits, learn from experts, and engage with science after hours. We have dissections, star talks, and laser shows! Events include adult beverages available for donation. Details for future events will be announced quarterly. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about new events. We hope to see you there!

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October 23, 2026

Bones, Blood & Booze

CSC Science After Dark returns on Friday October 23, 2026!!

Explore the scary at CSC during this adults-only Science After Dark event. Experience DINOSAURS! at night and learn about fossils. See a heart and make fake blood. Concoct potions of mysterious properties. Meet slithering and hissing creatures up close and more!

Check out Laser Fright Light II show at 8 PM (seats limited). Beer & wine will also be available for donation

Tickets >>> CLICK HERE TO GRAB YOUR SPOT!!

Pre-purchased tickets for this event are required to reserve your spot. Ticket quantities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

  • Non-Members (Adult): $15.00
  • Members (Adult): $10.00
**Beer and wine will be available for a donation before the show.

CSC Members

Members receive discounted admission to this event as part of your member benefits, but pre-registration is required to reserve your spot. Ticket quantities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

>>> CLICK HERE TO GRAB YOUR SPOT!! <<<

To receive your member discount for pre-registration, select the Register link in the top right corner of the screen to set up your login credentials. Your login email and address must exactly match the information we have on file with your membership. If the information is entered in differently, the system may not recognize your membership discount. If you have previously set up your login credentials, select the Sign In link to get started with your event registration.

For assistance, please call the CSC office at (828) 322-8169 x. 300. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

  • Tickets purchased online may be redeemed during check-in at the admission desk. You may provide your name used for purchase or present a printout of your ticket or display the ticket electronically on your mobile device for check-in at the admission desk. Check your spam folder if you don't see your confirmation e-mail.
  • No food or drink allowed in the planetarium.

PAST EVENTS

Michael Jackson & Prince Laser Shows August 1, 2026

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...to rock with you, all night!"

CSC Science After Dark returns on Saturday, August 1, 2026!!

Doors open at 5:30 PM to explore!


Showtimes: 
Michael Jackson Laser Show at 6:00 PM >> Click HERE for tickets for this showing!

Prince Laser Show is showing at 7:15 PM >> Click HERE for tickets for this showing!

Michael Jackson Laser Show at 8:30 PM >> Click HERE for tickets for this showing!

**Beer and wine will be available for a donation before the show.

 

Tickets:
Pre-purchased tickets for this event are required to reserve your spot. Ticket quantities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door.
Prices reflect the cost of a single show. If you plan on attending more than one show, please purchase additional ticket(s) for those showtimes.

Members: $7.50
Non-members: $9.50

Pink Floyd Laser Show (May 2026)

"Hey, teacher, leave those kids alone."

(Well, maybe grab a babysitter first)

Join us Saturday, May 16th, for Science After Dark at CSC
This exclusive and immersive planetarium experience features Pink Floyd’s "Dark Side of the Moon" and "The Wall"
This one-night-only event blends music with lasers, offering the perfect date night or outing with friends.
Doors open at 6:00 PM to explore
"Dark Side of the Moon" is showing at 6:30 PM
"The Wall" is showing at 7:30 PM.
 Beer and wine will be available for a donation before the show.
Tickets:
Pre-purchased tickets for this event are required to reserve your spot. Ticket quantities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Beer & wine will also be available for donation.

Members: $5.50
Non-members: $7.50

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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