Discover the Wonder as the Holidays Come Alive!
Holiday Enchantment transforms the Connecticut Science Center into a dazzling world of festive wonder and family fun! Wander through twinkling displays, meet Santa on select weekends, glide across the sock skating rink, and explore hands-on holiday science. Every corner is bursting with magic—all included with General Admission.
Don’t wait! This limited-time event runs from November 15 through December 21. Buy tickets early and save for the most enchanting experience of the season.
25% off Memberships
This season, give the gift of wonder, discovery, and hands-on family fun...give the gift of a Connecticut Science Center membership! Save 25% on any membership now through November 30 — our biggest sale of the year. Members enjoy year-round admission, including to our 2026 exhibition, Sharks, plus local reciprocals, special discounts, $5 parking, and more.
Sale price is reflected when added to your cart. Use promo code “HOLIDAY25” if not already applied.
The Connecticut Science Center is closed today.
Daily activities will appear here on days we are open.
In the meantime, check out all the exciting things we have coming up!
Holiday Enchantment
Holiday Enchantment transforms the Connecticut Science Center into a dazzling world of festive magic! Explore stunning décor, immersive photo backdrops, a shimmering sock skating rink, and the enchanting Holiday Forest of Illusions. Meet Santa on select weekends and enjoy special science demos and hands-on workshops—all included with General Admission.
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Holiday Membership Sale
25% off all Memberships! Give the Gift of Membership and Save Big. This holiday season, share the joy of discovery with a Connecticut Science Center Membership. Save 25% during our best sale of the year—offer ends November 30!
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Toddler Tuesday (November): Harvest Fun
On select Tuesdays, the Science Center transforms into a magical playland where little ones ages 6 and under can explore a world of discovery, with crowd-controlled spaces, hands-on activities, and special programming designed just for them.
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STEMsgiving
Kids Give Back at the Connecticut Science Center! Join us for a day of learning, kindness, and community spirit at the Connecticut Science Center’s STEMsgiving! Families can explore all their favorite exhibits while supporting their neighbors in need — 10% of all ticket sales will benefit Hands On Hartford.
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STEM Career Showcase
Bring your middle and high school students to a STEM Career Showcase, a conference-style field trip day designed to expose your students to the diversity of STEM employment opportunities available in Connecticut.
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Polar Pajama Party
Slip into your favorite pajamas and celebrate the season at the Polar Pajama Party! Enjoy a winter wonderland full of festive fun—meet Santa, snap snow globe photos, bounce and skate in the Polar PlayZone, and explore all 165+ hands-on exhibits. With cocoa, cookies, and cheerful surprises, it’s a holiday night you won’t forget!
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Toddler Tuesday (December): Winter Wonderland
On select Tuesdays, the Science Center transforms into a magical playland where little ones ages 6 and under can explore a world of discovery, with crowd-controlled spaces, hands-on activities, and special programming designed just for them.
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Handmade Holiday Bazaar
Celebrate the season at our Handmade Holiday Bazaar, presented in partnership with The Bristol Bazaar. Browse unique gifts, handmade crafts, and local creations from dozens of talented makers — perfect for everyone on your holiday list.
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Forest of Illusions
Step into the Forest of Illusions, where every twist and turn challenges your perception. Prepare to be amazed by mind-bending optical illusions that blur the line between reality and fantasy. Dive into the interplay of color and light on the interactive light wall and navigate a pitch-black hallway that warps your sense of depth and space. Discover a new perspective peering into a human-sized kaleidoscope and explore the glowing wonders of the UV Cave, where the rocks come alive with color. This forest holds many dark secrets, each daring you to uncover the truth. One thing's for sure: you won't believe your eyes.
Exploring Space
The galaxy is yours to explore! Blast off on a journey through the cosmos in this reimagined gallery, where hands-on activities, immersive media, and incredible artifacts bring space to life.
Butterfly Encounter
Nature's magic doesn't get closer than this. Spread your wings and immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind butterfly wonderland! Wander through a lush, tropical habitat with 20–30 species of free-flying butterflies from around the world.
KidSpace
Experience KidSpace, where water meets wonder in a hands-on sensory adventure. Feel the rush of swirling currents, design wild water pathways, and watch colorful balls twist through a vortex. Build, tinker, and test your creativity at the LEGO® Duplo table, where imagination flows.
Invention Dimension
Prepare for inspiration to strike! The Invention Dimension is where passion for innovation and ingenuity ignites. This gallery celebrates the creativity of past inventors and nurtures the creative instincts of the next generation.
School Groups
Get your class up-close with science! From hands-on field trips with live shows, exhibits, and even butterflies to traveling programs that bring the excitement straight to your school, the Connecticut Science Center makes STEM unforgettable. Book your group adventure today!
Youth Groups
Dynamic STEM programs for Scouts, camps, libraries, and other groups of 15 people or more. From hands-on workshops to exciting summer experiences, these programs are designed to engage participants of all ages — whether you’re coming here or we’re coming to you.
Pathways to STEM
Through dynamic career-focused exhibits, engaging events, and hands-on programming, the Science Center sparks an interest in STEM careers, connects young minds with mentors and potential employers, and prepares young learners to emerge as career-ready innovators.
Mission
The Connecticut Science Center is dedicated to inspiring lifelong learning through interactive and innovative experiences that explore our changing world through science. We strive to create an engaging and sustainable science center that serves families and schools and significantly impacts student and adult learning in Connecticut. We seek to develop the minds of future thinkers and inventors who will compete in the ever-expanding global marketplace for technology and innovation. And we endeavor to create a Connecticut workforce that meets the projected growth of jobs in science-related fields.
Ways to Support Our Work
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