Holiday Events at the Schiele Museum: A Jurassic Holiday in Gastonia, NC

Melissa McCauley

Nov 3

3 min read

Looking for family-friendly holiday events in North Carolina? Make plans to visit the Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, where dinosaurs, festive farm activities, holiday music, and hands-on experiences bring a prehistoric twist to the holiday season.

Located in Gaston County in the western Piedmont region of North Carolina, the Schiele Museum is a destination for families looking for a memorable day trip or holiday getaway. Just 30 minutes from Charlotte, the museum is also an easy stop for visitors exploring the region from across North Carolina.

From a dinosaur-themed holiday exhibit to visits with Santa and dazzling laser shows in the planetarium, there are plenty of reasons to add the Schiele Museum to your holiday plans. Here are the holiday events and seasonal experiences to explore in 2026.

Holiday Events at the Schiele Museum

Dinosaur Holiday Havoc

November 27 – January 10, 2026

What happens when Santa Claus and his friends meet the dinosaurs? Holiday havoc, of course!

Dino Safari: Holiday Havoc brings a prehistoric twist to the holiday season at the Schiele Museum. This limited-time exhibit combines dinosaurs and holiday traditions for a fun, family-friendly experience. The exhibit is included with general museum admission, making it an easy addition to a day of exploring the museum’s natural history exhibits and dinosaur displays. Learn more about Dino Safari: Holiday Havoc

Holiday on the Farm sign with a decorated Christmas tree and goat on a red banner with gold text and snowflake background.

Holidays On The Farm

Friday Evenings leading up to Christmas | 5:30–8 p.m.

Experience the holiday season outdoors at the Schiele Museum’s working farm. Holidays on the Farm transforms the outdoor paths and animal pens with festive lights, wreaths, and seasonal decorations.

Families can meet the farm animals, gather around a bonfire with hot chocolate, and visit crafting stations to make holiday creations to take home. Scheduled dates include November 27, December 4, December 11, and December 18, 2026. Get tickets for Holidays on the Farm

Dinos & Donuts

Saturday, December 12, 2026

Start your holiday morning with a prehistoric twist on a favorite family tradition. At Dinos & Donuts, children can enjoy donuts with SantaSAURUS, the Schiele Museum’s dinosaur-inspired Santa experience.

The special morning event includes early museum entry, photos with SantaSAURUS, a festive dinosaur-themed story, and a holiday craft to take home. Families can also explore the winter wonderland-themed Dino Safari and enjoy additional seasonal surprises. Get tickets for Dinos & Donuts

Holiday Laser Shows

December 4 – December 20, 2026

Enjoy a holiday music and light show inside the Schiele Museum’s James H. Lynn Planetarium. Holiday Laser Shows pair favorite seasonal songs, from classical music to contemporary holiday hits, with dazzling laser lights and animation across the planetarium dome.

This family-friendly experience offers a new way to enjoy holiday music and is a great addition to a winter visit to Gastonia. Planetarium tickets are sold separately from general museum admission. Get tickets for Holiday Laser Shows

Holidays Around the World

November 28 – December 31, 2026

Discover the connections between astronomy, the changing seasons, and holiday celebrations around the world.

Holidays Around the World explores the science behind seasonal changes before taking visitors on a journey through holiday traditions from different cultures. It’s an engaging way for families to learn about the world while celebrating the season. Learn more about holiday programs at the Schiele Museum

More Reasons to Visit the Schiele Museum

The Schiele Museum is a year-round destination for families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone interested in science and natural history. Its attractions include interactive exhibits, a working farm, a planetarium, a nature trail, and live animal enclosures.

The museum is also a Smithsonian Affiliate and features one of the largest collections of mounted land mammals in the Southeast.

Museum exhibit with large dinosaur skeletons on a rocky display under lights, with blue prehistoric scene screens in the background.

Explore the Hall of Dinosaurs

The Schiele Museum’s Hall of Dinosaurs is another reason to plan a visit to Gastonia. Opened in September 2026, the 4,200-square-foot exhibit features real fossils, full-bodied dinosaur casts, and interactive learning experiences. Visitors can encounter familiar prehistoric favorites, including Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus, while exploring the science of dinosaurs and prehistoric life. Discover the Schiele Museum’s new Hall of Dinosaurs

Festive farm entrance with giant wreaths, red ribbons and lights; sign reads The Farm and Farm Bureau Gaston amid bare trees.

Plan Your Holiday Visit to Gastonia, NC

Whether you're planning a family day trip, a holiday weekend getaway, or a visit to explore North Carolina's museums and attractions, the holiday events at Schiele Museum offer a unique way to celebrate the season in Gaston County.

Make a day of your visit by exploring the museum’s exhibits and then heading into downtown Gastonia for a meal, shopping, or another local holiday experience.

For current event schedules, ticket prices, and admission details, visit the museum’s official website.

From SantaSAURUS to dazzling lights and immersive exhibits, the Schiele Museum of Natural History is the place to celebrate a season filled with science, nature, and holiday cheer. Mark your calendar and bring the whole family along for an unforgettable holiday experience!