This is our second time at CMT and it was just as good. They reserve first three rows for kids so our daughter had a great view. We were easily within sight of her. We saw their Little Mermaid show and it was very nicely done. Puppets were cool and voices were talented.We bought popcorn and bottled water. Popcorn cake from one of those big machines and was delicious. Tickets are $7.Will be back when they change to the next show.

Must go! The shows are very good! You would enjoy them even if you are an adult. Admission is only 5 Dollars!

Such a diffent type of family entertainment. Great little jewel.

Wonderful place for kids. Friendly. Clean. Only $5 a head. Birthday parties. A gem of a place.

Little Mermaid Show was great. First marionette show ever. Definitely worth it. Will go back.

The staff was very pleasant. From paying for tickets to enjoying the show. A very nice place to bring your children and prices are reasonable.

This is one of those hidden gems in Columbia. It is an amazing local business, non-profit, that puts on a variety of wonderful, creative, and family friendly shows. Its great from the little ones all the way to the adults. My college age student even loves the shows.

A hidden treasure! Its small & tucked away downtown so its easy to miss but worth the search. Very cute & the shows are surprisingly detailed. My kids love it! We went recently for a birthday party & while they do have multiple party areas, they are a little small, & probably not conducive to multiple large parties at once. Also beware that the benches are not very comfortable, but you cant beat the price for family-friendly entertainment on a Saturday!

The place totally rocks!!! Experts in a lost art. I really enjoyed it as much as the kids and everyone says that I am no fun. I wish them well but also wish that it wasnt so hidden. Truly incredible!!!!

Very cool, great option for little kids. My 2 year old loved it

Sweet, Fun, Simplicity. As an adult, the shows are not necessarily my headliner... my childrens reactions are. My 16 yr old accompanied me on my recent visit where we introduced the Marionette Life to our 5yr old godson. She was INSTANTLY transformed into her 4yr old self - super excited because her memories of attending the shows (age 4 to 9) came flooding back.The STAFF, in a word: Awesome! The COST (admission & concession): Insanely Low! The PERFORMANCE: {Smiles} ♡☆☆☆☆☆ We highly recommend this true HIDDEN GEM! ☆☆☆☆☆

Great show and the kids loved making their own shadow puppets

Delightful! Bring the kiddies. Adults will love it, too.

What a wonderful place. Great deal on season tickets

Went here with our kids on a field trip and its a really nice show. A small theater with a lot of personal touches. The only negative was that I couldnt sit on the bench stadium style chairs because of my height. I had to use another chair and sat behind the class.

The staff is awesome and the kids loved their field trip to the performance.

Just had my sons 5th birthday here after having seen about 4-5 shows. It was awesome. The price was a very good deal. With it you get a whimsical party room off the main seating area to have the party before seeing the show. Party Kids also get front row seating! Typical 2 hour total time which may seem long or even short lol but I think its a great pace for food, games, cake, presents, etc.

I wish I had known this was here so my kids could have had their birthday parties here. My sons class went for a field trip and it was a very nice experience. I cant wait to take our 2 yr old.

Great place to bring your kids. They make it a full experience.

Cute show...kids had fun

Going downhill fast! Jack & the Beanstalk was wonderful. I saw another show at some point, dont remember, but it was good. Pinocchio was ok, but the puppets were facing backwards half the time. The first 3 rows of the audience were filled with kids wearing tall party hats with fluffy things on top. Im a tall adult & couldnt see over them. Ended up standing on the far side of the room so I could hold up my kid so he could see over the party hats. Those same party kids were running amok the whole show, screaming, playing in the aisles, jumping around. Parents & staff didnt do a thing to stop them.Then Christmas came. We thought a special holiday show must be good. What a disaster! They didnt even use marionettes for most of the show! Puppeteers were onstage, not wearing the masks that professional onstage puppeteers use. The lighting was on the full stage, humans and all, instead of being focused on the puppets. It was hard to ignore the humans standing there. One woman had bright pink hair that was uber-distracting in the bright lights. The Christmas show was a bunch of skits that had little to do with Christmas. It started with a hand puppet dancing to a pop Christmas song playing on a speaker, boring, but we stayed optimistic since it was only the opening. The first skit was ok, but the kids didnt understand the plot (a monster invaded a house). The humans were on the stage with the puppets, which this theater hadnt done before, so it was confusing. Kids up front kept asking what they were doing. Then they did something with 2 puppets fighting, no warning that this kids show would include violence! Just a straight 5-or-so minutes of fighting! One fighting puppet had bright pink hair, looked just like the pink-haired puppeteer. I guess they were supposed to be the same character & thats why she dyed her hair pink for the show. The pink-haired woman wasnt controlling the pink-haired puppet, though. She was just standing there herself and kept bashing the pink-haired puppet with a giant cookie. Mini doppelganger she had to defeat? They didnt explain. Then an 8-foot foil-covered robot came to the far edge of the stage, & the other characters went over to the robot, & the robot hit them with a giant cardboard question mark. The question mark certainly sums up what this whole show was about! Then they set up tables on the stage & put on table cloths that didnt cover the audience side of the tables so we were treated to the sight of wires, cardboard, & junk under the tables for the remainder of the show. The pink-haired woman & another woman came onto the stage & quietly played with toys on the table. The puppeteers kept running off & on the stage, playing with the toys. Several kids up in the front rows shouted what are you doing? My thoughts exactly. My 3-year-old said, in the middle of this oddity, this is the worst thing Ive ever seen! Then there was a song with a tiny cut-out shadowy scene. That part was ok visually other than being too small, but the story didnt make sense & after the exhaustion of witnessing the other nonsensical skits, it was hard to enjoy. Of course it still wasnt a marionette skit. I think there was another skit after that, I dont remember. We were so bored by then that we were just being polite, trying to make it to the end, & the other kids in the audience had long given up on the show & were running around & asking parents when they could leave. Then they did some more hand puppets dancing to pop songs. The whole thing was a disaster. Unprofessional. Embarrassing. Cringy. If this had been our first show there, wed never go back. Im sure a lot of peoples first time at the theater was the Christmas show, & Im sure they will never go back. Its called Columbia Marionette Theatre & they didnt use marionettes. That toy-playing skit didnt use puppets at all! I doubt well go back. For the price, its not worth the risk of another bad show or uncontrolled distracting audience.

Weve been coming to the Columbia Marionette Theatre for almost 10 years now, and its just one of those unknowns in the area that continues to fly just beneath the radar for most. The theater itself is charming and has been landscaped in recent years. They put on independent productions of familiar fairy tale fare that isnt quite how you remember it (and I mean that in a good way).Admission is a very reasonable $5 per person. Concessions are also available and very reasonably priced. My oldest daughter loves the Columbia Marionette Theatre, so we catch new shows whenever we can and weve booked a reservation for one of their party areas for her birthday for the third year in a row.The four themed-party areas are nice and available for a $75 booking fee (plus $5 per child who attends, parents attend at no additional cost). A table, trash can and gift (a marionette, of course) are provided, and compared to a lot of the other birthday-type accommodations you could book, this remains one of the best values available, both in terms of the price and content. There is sufficient seating for 20 or so children at the tables, with seating for the parents.The CMT is easily my favorite childrens venue in the area, and there really is nothing quite like it elsewhere in Columbia (or the state, for that matter). The shows are entertaining and the craftsmanship that goes into the marionettes and the sets are impressive. Many of the different productions have completely different styles, so things can change quite a bit from production-to-production, with other types of puppetry often making appearances. Its really something that needs to be checked-out, and its always interesting and entertaining for the whole family.

Quite disappointed in today’s experience. Got seated only to realize that the A/C was NOT functioning. The thermostat registered 83 degrees on one of hottest days so far this month. The shows should have been cancelled. Accepting patrons when the inside temp is that high is poor management. For the attendant to offer that the tin roof contributes to the lack of A/C and that they would call in a repair request tomorrow - a Sunday - is ridiculous.

Great place to take the kids. Such a local gem.

Wonderful place. my kids live it. the best Saturday entertainment around.

This was a wonderful experience for us and our son! It was an hour long and enthralled our three year old for the full time. There are four small themed areas for rent for birthday parties and the production values were great.I got up at 9 AM on a Saturday to make the 10 AM show and I still had a pretty good time, which should say something!

This is such a great family place! My kids love this theater. The people who work here are very passionate about bringing joy to children through their puppetry!

We went here for a birthday party it was lots of fun

Good show. Fun atmosphere.

Wonderful staff and great shows. A really good idea for all ages.

Wonderful experience, parents bring your children to a puppet show they will never forget.

This is a a great space for children to enjoy a marionette show. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable.

Dino Tales !!! Columbia Marionette Theater provides Quality entertainment for all!!! From the smiles that greet you coming in the door to the Thank you for coming!!!! as you say goodbye to a Wonderful time!!! If you havent Treated your kiddies in your life and yourself to a show (they also do Birthday Parties), how about this weekend??? You will Thank yourself!!!

We always love the shows here! My 3-year-old really enjoyed todays show, too.

Columbia Marionette always provides fun, quality entertainment for all ages. Dino Tales was fabulous. Support our local entertainment venues. Great place for a birthday party as well.

Just brought my granddaughters to a birthday party to see Jack and the Giants. The performers did a fantastic job. It was funny and entertaining for every age. It also taught a valuable lesson which is an amazing bonus. This is the second time Ive seen a production here, and I cant wait to see another one!

We had a school field trip here. The people were very helpful and accommodating. The kids (Pre-K to 4th grade classes) loved the show and the information and puppet play time that followed! This is one of only 2 puppet theaters in the southeast and is definitely a must see.

Excellent place for kid parties or to see something new. Prices are incredibly affordable ($5 per ticket period), snacks are too ($1 for popcorn, $1 for sodas/juices). Love the feel of small businesses working hard to make it all work!

Enchanting as it was years ago when I first took our daughter, and today, when I drove by to check out pricing for our grandkids.

Just went on a field trip with my daughters school and it was a really neat place! The staff was so great and friendly and just have a great vibe️

Great place for children on a hot summer day! Tickets are only $5 for the show plus you can purchase popcorn and drinks for very cheap. The inside of the theater is painted with different scenes to spark the imagination.

My favorite place!!! I am a huge fan! Very cool stories and puppets! Amazing experience for the kids and adults!

Great show, all the children had a great time.

What a genuinely good time! The puppets and scenery are really well done. The price is very reasonable for an hour of entertainment. But the seats are a little uncomfortable. Bring a cushion if you are sensitive about that sort of thing.

Field trip with the kids. The puppet show was pretty cool. The kids loved it. Everyone got to play with puppets.

Loved it! Great for large groups with ages 4 and above!

Tales of Woe: works of Edgar Allan Poe was absolutely incredible. Far surpassed expectations. Phenomenal

What an awesome little theater with a unique show. We were visiting from out of town and like to find unique activities with our kids. Our 3,6,8&9 year olds loved the show as did my husband and I. I would definitely recommend. Afterwards we stopped by the riverfront park and enjoyed seeing that as well.

Very reasonably priced. Staff was helpful and kind. Puppet show was funny and intertwining. It was also a great length of time to keep children entertained.

A great place to have kids birthday parties or an inexpensive afternoon event with the kids. Lots of variety in the different puppet shows.

Great piano festival

We had a great time

Great family fun and entertainment.

Great place to spend hot summer day with your child. Love the little class on what they do there at the end.

A wonderful place for family entertainment. My children 5 and 3 love this place. Shows last 40-45 minutes which is perfect for small children. Cheap ticket admission and concessions are reasonable too. Two small popcorns and two 16.9 fl oz sodas or orange juice for $5. We will be back soon for the Greeks!

Its incredible

We had a family birthday. We had a wonderful experience and the personnel of the theater is very nice. Highly recommended.

Great for the little little kids.

Great place to take your kids at an affordable price. My 3 yo really enjoys it there

Inexpensive entertainment that my child LOVES! The people are really great, and you are supporting local art and artists. The plays are all very creative and fun, and the marionettes are really cool as well. Check the schedule for special event days where you get to interact with the marionettes after te show.

2 year old and I had a blast. Art director does an amazing job.

Fun show for the kids

The kids love it and its a different kind of entertainment. They do a great job.

The Columbia Marionette Theater is so adorable! If you are ever in the area it is a must stop with children! We have 3 kids (3,7,10) and they absolutely LOVED it! Such a fun place!!

The kids had a great time

Love Love Love. My family loves the show. Will definitely be coming back.

Snow White was incredible! Great for kids events! The staff was friendly and entertaining.

Had my sons third birthday party there and it was awesome!

Great for kids

We love this place! Fantastic family fun! Great prices! They also have a popcorn snack. It comes with 2 drinks and 2 boxes of popcorn for $5!

Loved it. I would definitely take my children back was the best show Ive seen

The show was great! We enjoyed the show which was Wizard of Oz. I definitely recommend seeing a show if youre in town.

It is cool

My granddaughter and I love Columbia Marionette Theatre! Looking forward to coming again.

Loved it!!!! The staff is very helpful and friendly.

Good clean fun

Easily the best entertainment bang for your buck! Ill see every show I can here!

A cute, fun, and inexpensive place to take the family on a Saturday morning or afternoon!

I had a great time throwing a birthday party for my son. A great place to entertain kids and a great price.

Love it and my kid wants to go every Saturday the place is lovely and the people there are so nice

Great place to take the kids.

I cant give a full review because all I did was deliver a cake to someone having a birthday party there!

Wonderful place for kids and adults. My wife and I had a great time at a new experience.

An aaesome place for kids of all ages. Loved this place.

Great place for kids

Always a delight for young and old, alike!

Excellent and inexpensive venue to entertain children

Excellent show!

Your kids will love it

Awesome for kids parties!

Kids loved the puppet show!

Great experience.

Great place! I love it!!!

Great for kids birthday parties

Wonderfully put together! Great family fun!!

Great place!!

GREAT EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!

Great atmosphere

Super experience!

Nice place to go