Your ticket to global family fun during this season of bright lights and big dreams
While the majority of Upstaters count down the days to Christmas, thousands of others have circled totally different days to gather and celebrate this December. The Children’s Museum of the Upstate is taking note and hopes to shine a spotlight on year-end holidays recognized across the globe. “We really wanted to have a culturally inclusive focus this year,” reveals Executive Director Lauren Luneckas. “We love celebrating Christmas, but there are so many wonderful world traditions, and we wanted to highlight those as well while providing a special way for families to celebrate together.”
On December 10, World WONDERland will deliver the bright lights of Las Posadas and the Lunar New Year, in addition to the vibrant customs of Kwanzaa and Ōmisoka. “We are so excited for the format,” says Marketing and Communications Manager Jessie Cappello. “From a design aspect, we’re working with international community partners to bring in the flags and traditions of these different cultures. Children will be given a ‘suitcase,’ or ‘passport’ that they’ll fill along their journey, as they witness how other kids their age spend the holidays.” The first-of-its-kind event will also include interactive displays for Hannukah, Diwali, or Lohri.
Santa will also be making appearances during the one-day event at both the Greenville and Spartanburg locations. In addition, special stations will be set up for children to write letters to the big man in red. Cappello leans into the hands-on exercise. “Anytime a child can reflect on something they might want for the holidays, and write to a magical person, or color a picture, you’re mixing learning and play,” she says. “That’s something we love to do. We’ll also have a big red mailbox for children to drop off their letters.”
When it comes to annual festivities, World WONDERland could soon land on the top of everyone’s wish list. “We hope this becomes a lasting tradition,” Cappello admits. “We want families to create memories together and to experience them in a special way that they’ll reflect upon time and again.”
Winter Wonderland Events at TCMU
Check out these other holiday events available only at the TCMU Greenville location:
Winter Camp: Drop the kids off for some multicultural fun while you go shopping, December. 19–23. Children will “travel” to one destination each morning to learn about Las Posadas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, and Ōmisoka.
Christmas Village: Tap into the nostalgia and imagination of the traditional Christmas village. A longtime favorite for those visiting the museum during December, children are eager to see what they can spy through glowing windows and snow-blown streetscapes.
Victorian Dollhouse: Dollhouse enthusiasts love this tiny replica of Greenville’s Lanneau-Norwood Funderburk mansion that comes out each December, accessorized with Christmas trees and wreaths. Glowing fireplaces, nursery animals, and even Santa in his sleigh will prompt children to imagine fun stories for each room’s inhabitants.
World WONDERland tickets are available through TCMUpstate.org. The event is set for Dec 10 in Greenville (9am–5pm) and Spartanburg (9am–3pm).
Photography by The Children’s Museum of the Upstate.
