Hands-on fun! Programs vary weekly.

Duration

1 Hour - 2 Hours

About

There is something special happening AFTER HOURS at the Coastal Discovery Museum. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in unique experiences on Thursday evenings. Topics, activities, times, and fees vary…so keep checking the calendar to see what’s next.

Feb 12, 2026 Camellias and the Art of Waxing Flowers - 4:30-6:00pm

Discover the history of camellias and the art of preserving their beautiful blooms with our museum horticulturist and camellia expert. You’ll choose your own flower from our Camellia Garden — home to more than 135 varieties and listed on the American Camellia Trail. Then you'll head indoors to learn the technique of flower waxing, creating a beautifully preserved camellia (along with a few other flowers) to take home.

Fee: $30 per person / ages 16 and older only please

Jan 22, 2026 Exploring the Night Sky - 5:30-7:00pm

For countless centuries, the heavens have stirred curiosity, wonder, and imagination. Join a knowledgeable local Sky Ranger, Marie McClune, for a captivating journey into the night sky and discover how you can explore the cosmos on your own. During this engaging program, you’ll learn about the remarkable objects that fill space—from shimmering stars, to planets, to our solar system, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or simply looking to deepen your appreciation of the night sky, this program offers an inspiring introduction to the wonders above and the many ways you can continue exploring long after the evening ends.

Fee: $25 per person / (ages 13 and older only please)

Jan 29, 2025 A Journey Through Tea: History, Practices, and Tasting Experience (MEMBER ONLY) - 5:30-7:00pm

Join us at the Coastal Discovery Museum for a delightful tea exploration, where history and flavor come together. This engaging program will delve into tea's rich history and cultural significance, highlighting its journey from ancient to modern practices.

Participants will enjoy a guided tea tasting featuring an array of exquisite teas, complemented by freshly baked scones served with clotted cream, strawberry preserves, and zesty lemon curd. To sweeten the experience, indulge in an assortment of mini desserts that will tantalize your taste buds.

In a hands-on segment, attendees will create and take home their own handcrafted tea blends, selecting from various ingredients to craft a unique flavor profile reflecting their preferences. Each guest will also receive tea blend recipes to recreate their creations at home.

Whether you are a seasoned tea lover or a curious newcomer, this program promises to be a refreshing and educational journey into tea. Ages 13 and older only please.

This is a Members-Only Workshop — become a member to unlock access to exclusive workshops and special events. Spots fill quickly, so become a member today!

Fee: $45 member / (ages 13 and older only please)

Feb 19, 2026 Creative Collage 5:00 – 7:00pm

Join us for an inspiring evening of creativity sparked by the imaginative world of renowned Hilton Head artist Aldwyth and her celebrated Cigar Box Encyclopaedia. In this hands-on workshop, participants dive into creative collage techniques, selecting from a variety of papers, images, found materials, and 3D items to design your own collaged cigar box. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or simply curious, this relaxed studio session invites experimentation, personal expression, and plenty of artistic discovery.

All materials are provided, and each participant will leave with a finished cigar box collage ready to display at home.

Come create, explore, and celebrate the art of assembling meaning from unexpected pieces!

Fee: $35 per person (ages 13 and older only please)

Feb 26, 2026 Indigo Exploration – Scarf Edition 5:30-6:30pm

Step back in time and “meet” Eliza Lucas Pinckney. At just 17 years old in 1739, Eliza's experiments with indigo led to a thriving industry in colonial South Carolina. Discover her fascinating story, learn about the process of making indigo dye, and create your own indigo tie-dye scarf to take home. The museum provides one scarf per person (if you would like to dye a t-shirt instead of a scarf, t-shirts size child medium to adult XXL are available). Feel free to bring one additional small cotton item, such as a shirt, tea towel, or apron, to dye as well.

Fee: $25 per person / (ages 16 and older only please)

March 5, 2026 Flora Arrangements 5:30-6:30pm

Discover the art of turning fresh flowers and plant materials into stunning arrangements in this hands-on, joy-filled workshop. Join our Horticulturalist, Charlie Westerfield, for a fun and educational evening exploring floral design basics—think design mechanics, color theory, and pro tips for keeping your flowers looking fabulous.
This beginner-friendly workshop is perfect for first-timers, curious creatives, or hobbyists looking for a fresh way to unwind. With expert guidance, plenty of blooms, and all materials provided, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind arrangement to proudly take home.
Fee: $45 per person (ages 16 and older only please)
Age Appropriate: ages 16 and older only please

March 19, 2026 Grow Your Own Edible Mushrooms 5:30-7:00pm

Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry are home to a variety of native mushrooms, particularly in wooded and humid areas. This hands-on workshop introduces you to the fascinating world of mushrooms and mushroom cultivation, focusing on techniques inspired by nature. Learn how to inoculate logs with mushroom spawn to grow your own delicious oyster and shiitake mushrooms. You'll leave with two prepared plug logs—one for each variety—so you can continue your mushroom-growing adventure at home. Perfect for curious minds and nature lovers!

Fee: $45 (ages 16 and older only please)

March 26, 2026 Sea Glass Windchimes 5:30-7:30pm

Sea Glass Windchimes

Unwind and tap into your creative side at this enchanting evening of coastal artistry. Led by the talented Camilla Pagliaroli, owner of Create with Camilla, you'll craft your very own sea glass windchimes to take home and cherish. All materials are provided, and you're welcome to bring your favorite wine and snacks to savor while you create. Whether you come with friends or make new ones, this interactive experience promises a fun, relaxed atmosphere where creativity flows freely.

Fee: $60 per person / ages 13+ only please

April 9, 2026 Busy Bees 5:30-7:00pm

Honeybees are always hard at work, collecting nectar and pollen to create honey, beeswax, and more. They’re also vital pollinators, helping plants thrive. Discover what bees are busy making, then try your hand at crafting your own beeswax candle and lip balm to take home. Sample different types of honey and guess which flowers the bees were pollinating.

Important: This program is for ages 7 and up, and children must be accompanied by an adult participating in the workshop. Space is limited, and only registered participants are allowed in the program area. Please do not attend if you have allergies to bee products.

Fee: $25 per participant (ages 7 and older only please)

April 30, 2026 Cast Net Throwing Class 5:30-6:30pm

Cast nets are a favorite tool for recreational fishing thanks to their effectiveness in catching live bait. But here in the South Carolina Lowcountry, cast netting is more than just a fishing method — it’s a tradition deeply rooted in Gullah Geechee culture and the region’s coastal heritage.
Join us for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to throw and open a cast net with ease, no matter your experience level. You’ll practice with different net sizes and gain the skills to use them confidently. Whether you’re here to learn a useful skill or simply try something new, this class is for you.
We’ll be practicing in the field, and no fishing license is required for the workshop. However, if you’d like to test your skills from the dock afterward, please have a paper or digital copy of a valid South Carolina fishing license.

Fee: $20 per adult (ages 13+).

Check back for more programs - we update the schedule frequently.