Columbia Location

Buy Halloween Hoopla Tickets

Dress up. Dream big. Discover more!

Get ready for a Halloween EdVenture you don’t want to miss! Step into a night of make-believe, discovery, and after-hours fun at EdVenture’s annual Halloween Hoopla.

Kids can come dressed as their favorite characters, heroes, or dreamers—whether they’re pretending to be a firefighter, doctor, scientist, chef, farmer, pilot, or anything in between—and explore the museum in a whole new way.

Throughout the evening, families can enjoy hands-on crafts and activities, festive games, creative play, and interactive experiences throughout the museum. Stop by community partner activity stations to play and explore while collecting stickers for your event map. Then, once you’ve visited all your stops, bring your completed map to the Treat Station for a sweet stash of Halloween candy to take home!

With exclusive after-hours access to the museum, costumes, creativity, hands-on fun, and plenty of treats, Halloween Hoopla is the ultimate Halloween celebration for the whole family!

🎃 Costumes • 🍬 Candy • 🎨 Crafts • ✨ Activities • 🦖 Exclusive Museum Fun!

Friday, October 30, 2026
5:30–7:30 p.m.

Space is limited, so grab your tickets and get ready for a Halloween night full of curiosity, creativity, and fun!

Tickets: Members: $5
Non-members: $20

A Big Thank You to Our Event Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Treat Station Experience Sponsor

Candy and treats are available while supplies last.

Kid-friendly costumes are encouraged for children only. Costume masks are not permitted.

Join Sustainable Carolina at EdVenture Columbia for activities about reducing, reusing, and recycling.

November 1, 2026, 1–2 p.m.

Cat Around Town will be at EdVenture to introduce the children to some kitties and share some information.

November 7, 2026, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at EdVenture Columbia.

Join Sustainable Carolina at EdVenture Columbia for activities about reducing, reusing, and recycling.

November 8, 2026, 1–2 p.m.

The robotics teams of Ben Lippen High School will join us on November 8, 2026, from 1–3 p.m. They will set up their robots with interactive activities in our Space/Draw Alive exhibit.

Meet members of all three robotics teams: MountainTop (31981), Falcon Force (9121), and Falcon Fury (24250).

EdVenture Columbia only.

MedElem is a group of USC undergraduate students who are studying for future health careers such as Nursing, Medicine, Physical Therapy, Dentistry and Pharmacy. They have developed hands-on activities to teach elementary students about ten different body systems. In learning about systems such as the cardiovascular or digestive system and its organs, participating children can learn about taking care of their own health as well as meeting future health care providers. MedElem activities are included with admission.

November 14, 2026, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at EdVenture Columbia.

Join Sustainable Carolina at EdVenture Columbia for a battery-recycling activity for America Recycles Day.

Bring in used batteries to be recycled.

November 15, 2026, 1–2 p.m. This is Sustainable Carolina’s final visit of 2026.

Grown-ups get the night off! Kids’ Night Out at EdVenture 🎉

Your night. Their EdVenture.

Thursday, November 19 | 5:30–9:30 p.m.

You’ve got plans. We’ve got the kids.

Parents, consider this your sign to take the night off! Drop the kids off at EdVenture for an evening of play, discovery and adventure while you enjoy some well-deserved grown-up time.

Whether you’re planning a date night, dinner with friends, holiday shopping, or simply a night out without the kids, we’ve got the little ones covered!

Heading to Vista Lights? Even better!

Make EdVenture your starting point for the evening. Kids Night Out attendees can park for free in EdVenture’s parking lot, drop off the kids, and hop on the Vista Lights shuttle right from our lot. Enjoy an evening of holiday festivities, local shops and restaurants, festive entertainment, and the annual Vista tree lighting—then take the shuttle back to EdVenture when you’re ready to call it a night.

Or skip Vista Lights altogether and simply enjoy a few kid-free hours to yourself. You play, explore and unwind. We’ll take care of the adventure. Everybody wins!

Kids’ Night Out Details

📅 Thursday, November 19
⏰ 5:30–9:30 p.m.
📍 EdVenture Children’s Museum | 211 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC
🎟️ Registration required

Register for Kids’ Night Out

🎟️ $50 per child for non-members
$40 per child for EdVenture members

💜 Children ages 5-10 only

November 19, 2026, 6–10 p.m. in Columbia’s Vista. Visit EdVenture in the free Kid’s Zone on Lincoln Street.

This is the neighborhood’s signature open house which has ushered in the holidays in Columbia for 40 years. More than 60 galleries, shops, and restaurants open their doors to showcase their holiday treasures and delicious dishes. Make your plans and reservations now!

Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, shop local businesses, help us light the Vista tree near the corner of Lincoln and Gervais Streets and enjoy all the businesses have to offer. The free Kid’s Zone presented by 94.3 The Dude will once again take over Lincoln Street with EdVenture, activities for children, face painting, balloon art, reindeer snacks, visits with Santa and more.

More information about Vista Lights

Kids’ Night Out at EdVenture

Grown-ups get the night off! Kids’ Night Out runs November 19, 5:30–9:30 p.m., at EdVenture Columbia, 211 Gervais Street, for children ages 5–10. Registration is required: $50 per child for non-members and $40 for EdVenture members.

Kids Night Out attendees can park for free in EdVenture’s parking lot, drop off the kids, and take the Vista Lights shuttle from the lot.

Kids’ Night Out details and registration