Event
Night Sky Festival
Fee:
Free. An entrance permit is required to get into Shenandoah National Park.Location:
Various - see descriptionsDates & Times
Date:
Time:
Duration:
Type of Event
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 9:45 p.m. | Saturday: 10:00 a.m.- 10:15 p.m. | Sunday: 10 a.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Description
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center Lawn (mile 4.6)
Star Party | 9:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
Experience some of the darkest skies in Virginia and learn about the importance of dark night skies to our cultural heritage and natural world.
Skyland Amphitheater (mile 42.5)
Things That Go Bump in the Night | 8:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
It’s not easy living under the cover of night. See and hear how animals that rove the park after dark are well adapted to survive.
Star Party | 9:30 p.m. – 10:15 p.m.
Join a ranger for stargazing and constellation tours.
Byrd Visitor Center Lawn (mile 51)
My Stinky Friend | 11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
What’s black and white and cute as a button? My stinky nocturnal friend, the skunk. Come explore the role that two species of skunks play in Shenandoah’s ecosystem.
Guiding Lights | 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Discover stories in the stars, design your own constellation, and find out how animals rely on dark skies.
Junior Ranger Night Explorer | 2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Grab a Junior Ranger Night Explorer book and join a ranger to learn how to earn your Night Explorer badge! Free booklet available at presentation.
What Does Space Mean to Us? | 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
There are many things that we all have in common; living here on this planet suspended in space is just one of them. We invite you to explore what space means to each of us, and join one of our rangers as we discuss our thoughts and shared responses Audience-centered dialogue.
Guiding Lights | 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Discover stories in the stars, design your own constellation, and find out how animals rely on dark skies. Repeat of 1:00 p.m. program.
Revelations From the Red Planet | 5:00 p.m. – 5:20 p.m.
On this short talk, learn about our planetary neighbor, some of the stories it has inspired, and exciting findings from the latest Mars missions.
Star Party | 9:30 p.m. – 10:15 p.m.
Join a ranger for stargazing and constellation tours.
Loft Mountain Amphitheater (mile 79.5)
Meet the Meteors | 8:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
A bird? A plane? A shooting star! Learn about those bright streaks of light in the sky and where they come from. Then, discover why some meteor showers, like the Perseids, come back each year for us to see.
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center Lawn (mile 4.6)
The World Beyond Our Eyes | 11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
Find out how an animal’s vision allows it to see outside the visible light spectrum.
Mathews Arm Campground (mile 22.2)
What's the Fuss About Dawn and Dusk? | 8:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
Learn about the wildlife that’s active at dawn and dusk and how adapting to their behavior can lead you to a better Shenandoah experience.
Skyland Amphitheater (mile 42.5)
Star Party | 9:30 p.m. – 10:15 p.m.
Join a ranger for stargazing and constellation tours.
Byrd Visitor Center Lawn (mile 51)
Solar System Scramble | 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Learn about each planet and its role in the solar system as you recreate their orbital dance through the sky.
Going Batty | 11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
Who are those dazzling, diving, daredevils, those tiny fliers performing amazing, aerial acrobatics? Discover Shenandoah’s nine species of bats, including one endangered species.
Solar Spectacular | 1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
Learn about our home star and how its light powers our earth. Then use the power of the sun to make your own sunprint.
Solar System Scramble | 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Learn about each planet and its role in the solar system as you recreate their orbital dance through space. Repeat of 10:00 program
Junior Ranger Night Explorer | 3:00 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Grab a Junior Ranger Night Explorer book and join a ranger to learn how to earn your Night Explorer badge! Free booklet available at presentation.
What Does Space Mean to Us? | 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
There are many things that we all have in common; living here on this planet suspended in space is just one of them. We invite you to explore what space means to each of us, and join one of our rangers as we discuss our thoughts and shared responses Audience-centered dialogue.
Meet the Meteors | 5:00 p.m. – 5:20 p.m.
*Big Meadows Amphitheater. On this short talk, learn about our planetary neighbor, some of the stories it has inspired, and exciting findings from the latest Mars missions.
Star Party | 9:30 p.m. – 10:15 p.m.
*Meet at lawn in front of Byrd Visitor Center. Join a ranger for stargazing and constellation tours.
Loft Mountain Amphitheater (mile 79.5)
Stories in the Stars | 8:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Discover the value of preserving dark skies as you take a constellation tour, including stories with some surprising modern connections.
Mathews Arm (mile 22.2)
Star Party | 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Discover Shenandoah's night sky by taking a constellation tour and learning why dark skies are important for wildlife and humans alike.
Byrd Visitor Center Lawn (mile 51)
Solar Spectacle | 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Learn about our home star and how its light powers our earth. Then use the power of the sun to make your own sunprint.
Going Betty | 11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
Who are those dazzling, diving, daredevils, those tiny fliers performing amazing, aerial acrobatics? Discover Shenandoah's nine species of bats, including one endangered species.
Revelations from the Red Planet | 1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
Discover our planetary neighbor and the stories it has inspired and learn about exciting findings from the latest Mars missions.
Big Meadows Amphitheater (mile 51)
Who Needs Dark Skies? | 8:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Dark skies are important for more than just stargazing! See why protecting the dark sky is good for people, plants, and animals.