EVENTS
Now Showing...
COSMIC CLOUDS: THE NEBULAE
The Eye Presents:
COSMIC CLOUDS: The Nebulae (Runtime: 20 min.)
Created by The Eye team, this full dome show explores one of the universe’s most mysterious and magnificent features–the nebulae.
Now Showing!
Tuesdays – Fridays @ 12:00 PM + 3:30 PM
Saturdays @ 11:30 AM + 1:00 PM + 3:30 PM
Sundays @ 3:30 PM
Coming Up...
SMWV Presents: Grinchmas
A Whoville Holiday Extravaganza of Science, Slime, and Christmas Cheer
Saturday, December 13, 2025
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Grinchmas is back and bigger, brighter, and wonderfully more ridiculous than ever! Step inside a full day of hands-on holiday fun where science meets Whoville and the Grinch himself roams the museum looking for mischief.
This year we are creating an enormous community-built Whoville Gingerbread Village. Every guest will help design whimsical structures and decorations as we grow a giant collective gingerbread installation throughout the day.
Your Ticket Includes Every Activity
Cookie decorating, slime experiments, live animal demonstrations, Parakeet Garden entry, the hot cocoa station,
Whoville engineering activities, the Grinch, and the full movie experience in the Eye Planetarium…all included.
Whoville Activities and STEM Fun
- Cookie Decorating Station
Paint and decorate your own holiday cookie with colorful icings, edible science paints, and festive toppings. - Green Slime Experiments
Mix, swirl, and stretch your own batch of Grinch-approved green slime to take home. - Whoville Gingerbread Village Engineering
Help construct a collaborative gingerbread Whoville using cardboard, craft materials, and playful engineering challenges. Build a house, a tower, a silly storefront, or an entire street, every creation becomes part of our growing Whoville display.
Animal Encounters
- Live Animal Demonstrations
Meet animals from our Living Collections in special holiday-themed presentations throughout the day. - Parakeet Garden
Your admission includes free entry into our Parakeet Garden, where you can step inside and interact with our colorful, lively flock.
Planetarium & Movie Experience
- The Grinch in the Eye Planetarium
Enjoy a screening of The Grinch inside the Eye Planetarium. Relax under the dome and see the story come alive in a way you have never experienced before.
Cozy Seasonal Extras
- Hot Cocoa Station
Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and seasonal add-ins.
Special Guests
- The Grinch
Keep your eyes open. He’ll be wandering from room to room, stirring up plenty of Whoville chaos and stopping for photos with families.
Purchase Your Grinchmas Tickets Today!
All activities, demonstrations, cocoa, Parakeet Garden entry, and the planetarium movie are fully included.
Children ages 2 and under: Free!
SMWV Presents: The Holiday Mix
Saturday, December 20, 2025
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Celebrate the season in a truly unforgettable way at The Holiday Mix, an immersive holiday event held inside the Eye Planetarium at the Science Museum of Western Virginia. This one-of-a-kind experience combines live Christmas carols, dazzling full-dome visuals, and the warmth of holiday community all in one breathtaking setting.
Guests will be serenaded by a live three-person gospel ensemble accompanied by a small band, whose rich harmonies fill the dome with the soulful sound of traditional gospel music, without ever feeling like a formal choir performance. Their dynamic, heartfelt arrangements of classic Christmas carols, including favorites like “Joy to the World,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” create a deeply moving musical backdrop that feels both intimate and powerful.
As they perform, the Eye Planetarium will come alive with sweeping holiday-themed visuals: twinkling lights, winter scenes, abstract motion graphics, and atmospheric animations that wrap around the audience. This environment transforms every song into a fully immersive sensory experience you’ll only find in Roanoke at SMWV.
Event Schedule
1st Show: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Doors open at 2:45 PM)
Heavy hors d’oeuvres & giveaway: 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
2nd Show: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Doors open at 6:20 PM)
Whether you’re searching for a Roanoke holiday event, a family Christmas celebration,
or an immersive live music experience, The Holiday Mix offers something truly special.
Enjoy festive hors d’oeuvres, giveaways, and an uplifting performance
set inside one of the region’s most advanced digital domes.
Tickets & Info
Reserve your tickets today and experience Christmas carols like never before
at the Science Museum of Western Virginia’s Eye Planetarium.
General Admission: $30 | SMWV Members: $25
Previous Events...
The Eye | SIGHT + SOUND Series Presents:
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari | Ages 13+
Dr. Caligari returns to The Eye this October! The SIGHT + SOUND series presents the classic silent horror you know and love with a twist: set to a curated psychedelic soundtrack hand-selected by The Eye team, experience this fusion of the senses as you enter the thrilling world of this German Expressionist film!
Thursday, October 30 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
The Eye Presents: Terror in Woods Creek
a Special Film Screening + Artist Talk Event
October 25, 2025 | 5 - 8 PM | Ages 16+
Join us for a very special October screening of the locally-produced horror film Terror in Woods Creek, written and directed by Tracy Lee Staton and executive produced by Cory Greer. This event will feature members of the cast and crew for a panel talk and Q & A session.
More details soon!
In the small town of Woods Creek, terror arrived in 1962 in the form of a mysterious Drifter. A chain of bizarre events & murder ensued then the Drifter left town. Now, 50 years later, he has returned.
The Eye Presents: Spooky Animal Demo
[All Ages!]
Join us for an animal demo like you’ve never experienced it! Our Living Collections and Eye teams join forces to bring you up close and personal with the museum’s animal ambassadors. Featuring:
- Live animal demo in The Eye
- Immersive dome visuals and soundscapes
- Opportunities to get up close and personal!
The Eye Presents: Dark Side of the Dome
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 7:30 - 9:30 PM
$18 Guest | $15 Member | Ages 16+
Did you miss this summer’s “Dark Side of the Dome” laser light music show series? Here’s your last chance to catch this unique fusion of immersive visuals and music. featuring:
- Dome Show + Laser Lights
- Curated psychedelic + prog rock playlist
- Refreshments
Nickelodeon Worldwide Day of Play
Saturday, September 27, 2025 (All Day!)*
*Experience included with all ticket purchases
May 31st
STEM In the Park
@ Rivers Edge Sports Complex
Join us for this FREE, family-friendly, community-driven event!
Hands-On Activities: Interactive exhibits and experiments that bring STEM concepts to life.
Exhibitor Showcase: Roanoke area schools, organizations, businesses, individuals showcasing their STEM-related work.
STEM Olympic Games: Fun and challenging competitions that test problem-solving skills, teamwork, and creativity.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere: A welcoming and inclusive environment for families to play, learn, have fun, and explore together.
May 2nd | 3:30 PM
FREE Student Exhibition Screening:
"Ocean Eye"
Join us on Friday, May 2nd for a special student exhibition screening of the short-form animation “Ocean Eye.”
Created as a collaboration between students in 3D animation and sound design courses this semester, “Ocean Eye” is an immersive exploration of the underwater world.
Stop by the Eye in place of our standard planetarium show to attend the screening and an accompanying artist talk by the students behind this work.
April 25 | 6 PM - 7 PM
SIGHT + SOUND Series: "Assemblage"
Our SIGHT + SOUND series returns with the April “Assemblage” installation!
This one-hour event will feature a series of short-form, multimedia pieces produced by the Eye team.
Featuring found footage and audio samples, dialogue, and digitally rendered scenes, these fragmented works are sure to stimulate the mind and the senses.
These pieces will be exhibited from 6 PM – 7 PM on April 25th.
April 18 | 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Open Studio Night
March 7th + 9th:
In Places Where Black Skin Grows: A Live Performance of Matthew Mosley's 2nd Album
Witness Matthew Mosley’s second album “In Places Where Black Skin Grows” brought to life, only at The Eye!
Featuring live performance, poetry, prose, music, storytelling, and immersive dome visuals. You won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind celebration of Black history.
February 22nd + 23rd
Roanoque Baroque + The Eye Presents:
In Gardens & Palaces with the Sons of JS Bach & Handel
Join us for The Eye’s inaugural live performance event! Featuring Roanoque Baroque Orchestra, compositions by the sons of JS Bach and Handel, spectacular dome visuals, and light fare.
This event offers three distinct performances with tiered ticketing, offering something for everyone. You won’t want to miss this!
Grinch & Glow
Saturday, December 14, 2024
It’s Grinchmas time!
Join us for a day filled with Grinch-inspired science, fun, and holiday magic!
Your ticket includes:
- A special screening of The Grinch (2018) in our immersive Planetarium!
- Entry to our Parakeet Garden – a winter wonderland of feathered friends.
- Access to all Grinchy STEAM activities for hands-on learning and holiday fun!
The Polar Express Experience
Friday, December 20, 2024
Experience the wonder of The Polar Express brought to life with festive activities, holiday cheer, and a special screening of the beloved movie!
Your ticket includes:
- A 3 PM showing of The Polar Express in the Eye Planetarium!
- Meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, himself!
- Hot Chocolate Station to warm your heart and hands.
- Live Performances by costume dancers from Ardell Stone School of Dance.
- Santa’s Workshop in the Maker Lab – Create and take home holiday treasures! & entry to our Parakeet Garden.
SIGHT + SOUND Series: SYNESTHESIA
The Eye @ SMWV presents SYNESTHESIA — the latest installation in the SIGHT + SOUND series
Presenting a night of multisensory exploration and immersion…SYNESTHESIA! This 18+ event features immersive visuals, interactives, and mind-bending experiments with the senses designed to enhance your sense of the world like never before. Explore synesthesia—the phenomenon where senses collide and combine—and see, hear, and taste in ways that simulate multisensory experience.
- Make sound beats from color with Sphero Specdrums
- Sip your way through a “Flavor Spectrum” beer flight traveling the spectrum from tangy sours to rich stouts.
- Try “taste tripping” with miracle berries—a fruit from West Africa that naturally transforms flavors from sour to sweet.
Don’t miss this unique sensory journey at The Eye! Grab your tickets for an evening of science, flavor, and experimentation—guaranteed to be like nothing you’ve experienced before.
Roanoke STEAM Day
It’s that time of year! SMWV is proud to partner with a network of local organizations and individuals to host Roanoke STEAM Day. Click the link for info and to register.
Virginia Tech Science Festival
SMWV is a proud participant in Virginia Tech’s annual Science Festival this Saturday, November 2nd, 2024. As exhibitors we’ll be partnering to facilitate the VR Solar System Experience, as well as repping our Living Collections with Franklin the Eastern box turtle and Shere Khan the tiger salamander. Come check it out!
November 1st & 2nd: Día de los Muertos
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with us in a lively, family-friendly festival full of color, culture, and creativity! Your admission includes a special screening of Coco in The Eye Planetarium and all-day access to festive activities for everyone to enjoy.
Note: For Día de los Muertos, tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $16.50 for children. No standard or ultimate ticket options will be available on these days.
Join us for an unforgettable celebration honoring tradition, family, and hands-on fun!
Trick or Treat with the Parakeets!
It’s baaaack! Visit the Parakeet Garden throughout the month of October to take part in this sweet experience.
From now through October 31st, ultimate ticket holders can dress up to trick or treat with the parakeets. Once you’ve given them a treat, get one in return!
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
The Eye @ SMWV invites you to the launch of our SIGHT + SOUND Series with a special screening of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari set to a curated music mix designed to amplify the madness.
SIGHT + SOUND Series installations are the latest Eye offering–visit The Eye page to learn more about the program and this event.
Our screening of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and accompanying playlist are recommended for ages 12 & up.
Spooky Animal Show
Witnessed one of our animal demonstrations in the past? Not like this one! Join us in The Eye on Friday, October 18, from 6 PM – 7 PM or for the matinee on Sunday, October 20, from 2 PM – 3 PM.
This immersive experience includes a live animal demonstration by our Living Collections team paired with visuals on the dome to bring the animals up close. Featuring your favorites–some you can touch (and some you might not want to)!
This is an all-ages, family-friendly event. Visit The Eye page for ticketing and info.
An Evening with Savannah Mandel
It’s finally here! After a brief postponement, our upcoming installment of the Stars Over Star City series: “An Evening with Savannah Mandel” will be held Friday, October 11, from 6 PM – 9 PM.
This event features a star show, a talk by Savannah Mandel, author of the recently released Ground Control: An Argument for the End of Human Space Exploration. Also available: book sales by Roanoke’s own War on Books, book signing, and beverages. Recommended ages: 12 & up.
Visit The Eye page for more information and to get your tickets today.
SKELETON STOMP 2024
Join us for a SKELETON STOMP on Friday, October 4, from 6 PM – 7 PM. This family-friendly Halloween dance party will be held in The Eye, featuring spooky sounds and sights!
Visit The Eye page to purchase tickets and to catch a glimpse of the experience. Wear your costume and bring all the glow sticks you’d like!
(We recommend ages 5 & up due to volume and stimulation.)
ROANOKE STEAM DAY 2022
Science is bigger than you think! Celebrate SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | ENGINEERING | ART | MATHEMATICS (STEAM) with area museums and organizations from 9:00am till 2:00pm. THE EVENT IS FREE! Families are welcome but registration is required. Join us at the Science Museum of Western Virginia on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28TH. To find out more information and to register, click the link below.
Invest in the Future: The Eye
We are excited to bring our community our newest exhibit ‘The Eye’, an immersive digital environment that is out of this world! This exhibit is the only one of its kind open to the public on the East Coast.