Make the Museum Your Must-Stop for the Holidays at the South Florida Museum

Whether you’re braving Black Friday, saving up for Small Business Saturday, staking out locations for Museum Store Sunday — or just want to get away from it all and enjoy a simple holiday pleasure or two, the South Florida Museum has your back.

While the Museum is CLOSED ON THANKSGIVING, we resume our normal business hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and our regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. (We’re closed on Mondays.) You can join us throughout the season to get far away from the madding crowds by spending the day among manatees, solar systems and Florida’s natural history.

We’re also bringing back two of our most popular Bishop Planetarium programs to celebrate the season:

Let it Snow will begin showing in the Bishop Planetarium on Friday, Nov. 23, and will continue through Dec. 23. This crowd-pleasing favorite features a variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee. The 32-minute show includes a stunning multi-media finale by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and is a fun and entertaining experience for all ages, especially families.

Showtimes:

The Star of Bethlehem on Dec. 20 & 21. This star has been a popular topic at planetarium shows since the 1940s, with hosts presenting explanations that would account for the star described in the nativity story. Was it a comet, a supernova or something else entirely? Join Bishop Planetarium Manager Howard Hochhalter as he takes guests on a forensic journey that compares historical records to what was really happening in the skies some 2,000 years ago. Tickets sell out fast!

Of course, if you’re looking for the perfect item for a budding  paleontologist or a skyward-gazing friend, the Museum’s Store is the place for you. We feature unique gifts — ranging from the nautical to the natural sciences and planetary wonders. We have the perfect plush — and socks, Ts and PJs — for manatee lovers, Florida-focused books and gift solutions that will please your astronomy-loving pals. It’s the perfect place to pick up a starter telescope — and even come back in January to learn how to use it during our BYOT (bring your own telescope) program “Discovering Light” with Ed McDonough on Saturday, Jan. 19.

McDonough, Regional Sales Manager for Celestron, is an  active hobbyist well versed in the use and operation of many types of telescopes and he’ll be joining us during STREAM Saturday for hands-on, family-friendly activities from 10 a.m. to noon. Activities are included in the cost of admission and no reservations are required. (Children must attend with a parent or guardian.)

You can also give the gift of the Museum itself through  the purchase of a Museum Membership. Museum Members can receive free admission throughout the year, discounts to special programs and opportunities and reciprocal benefits at more than 100 other cultural organizations across the country. Membership support helps to maintain the South Florida Museum’s role as a valuable cultural resource & asset to our community’s quality of life, while giving Members valuable benefits for Museum admission, Museum programs and events.

• Purchase your membership now

As the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the South Florida Museum offers engaging exhibits as well as educational programs that interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe.

In addition to permanent exhibits, the Museum features a constantly changing lineup of temporary exhibitions — offering something new to discover with each visit. The Museum includes the all-digital Bishop Planetarium Theater — the only one of its kind on Florida’s Gulf Coast — and the Parker Manatee Aquarium, home to our Stage 2 Manatee Rehabilitation Program.

Visit SouthFloridaMuseum.org for hours, info and admission details or call 941-746-4131.