WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

Research shows that adult play can boost your creativity, sharpen your sense of humor, improve your well-being, and help you cope with stress. If your spirit craves a boost and your stress level needs a break, then Kaleideum has just the event for you!

If you’re not familiar with Kaleideum, it was created in July 2016 with the merger of the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem and SciWorks, the science center and environmental park of Forsyth County. In February 2024 the new state-of-the-art Kaleideum opened on the corner of Third and Town Run Lane, a majestic five floors of educational learning in a fun and exciting environment. 

But why should kids have all the fun? So Kaleideum started offering an adults-only experience on the second Saturday of the month called Kaleideum After Dark. You can explore, play games in the exhibits, encounter an animal, and more. It has become Winston-Salem’s downtown social event that lets you experience the museum in a grown-up way and attracts people from age 21 to 75 or older. There is something for everyone to enjoy, participate in and experience. Each event has a theme and activities just for adults, including bars on each level and a rooftop area perfect for music and dancing or just enjoying the night skyline of the city.

On Nov. 9, 6:30-9:30 p.m., you can sip and shop for the holidays while supporting Winston-Salem artists and makers. There will be a dance party in the Digital Dome, and vendors will set up throughout the museum to sell everything from jewelry and candles to pet portraits and books. And, you can play glow tag with the skyline behind you on Kaleideum’s Rooftop Adventure.

At the Dec. 14 event, Raleigh band Hold Tone will return with some Jingle Bell Rock, so wear your ugliest holiday sweater and plan to dance and play the night away!

Buy tickets online and save money: $20 online, $25 at the door. Ticket includes two drink vouchers for beer and wine. Cash bar available for more drinks, and you can buy your dinner at the food truck out front or take your Kaleideum After Dark ticket or receipt to Hungry Palate Bar & Grill, 239 W. Fourth St., that night for 20% off your meal.

Bring a friend – or two or more – and let your inner child come out to play at Kaleideum! 

For tickets, go to https://kaleideum.org/ and click on the page for Kaleideum After Dark.