Artwork by Kadi Franson Bryce Canyon Astronomy FestivalThere’s no place quite like Bryce Canyon by day, and no time like a new moon in June to enjoy it by night. Astronomy festivals feature family-friendly daytime activities and special evening programs, telescope viewing, and constellation tours.
2025Schedule of EventsOur 2025 Schedule of is listed below. Free Astrophotography Workshop9:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Daytime Activities11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Evening ProgramsTopic Pending8:30 p.m. 45 minutes Topic Pending9:00 p.m. 45 minutes Stargazing10:00 p.m. - Midnight Volunteers point their telescopes at some of the night sky's most spectacular sights. White-light flashlights are prohibited due to their negative impact on night vision. Free Astrophotography Workshop9:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Daytime Activities10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Evening ProgramTopic Pending8:30 p.m. 45 minutes Topic PendingNorth Campground Outdoor Theater Stargazing10:00 p.m. - Midnight Volunteers point their telescopes at some of the night sky's most spectacular sights. White-light flashlights are prohibited due to their negative impact on night vision. Free Astrophotography Workshop9:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Daytime Activities10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Keynote ProgramTopic PendingNorth Campground Outdoor Theater
10:00 p.m. - Midnight Volunteers point their telescopes at some of the night sky's most spectacular sights. White-light flashlights are prohibited due to their negative impact on night vision. Free Astrophotography Workshop9:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. New!Free Astrophotography WorkshopJoin astrophotographer Don Riddle and Dr. Michael Kelzenberg from CalTech for a special astrophotography workshop. The workshop is open to all levels of experience, but is geared toward beginners. Workshops are free, but limited to 15 people per night. Classes begin at 9 p.m. with 90 minutes of instruction at the High Plateaus Institute near Sunrise Point, followed by astrophotography among the hoodoos of the Bryce Amphitheater. Open to ages 8 and older.
9 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Map of Festival ActivitiesPlease come back here soon for a 2025 festival map. Daytime ActivitiesDaytime activities include activity tents, solar telescopes, and other opportunities open to the public at the Visitor Center between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day of the festival. Evening ProgramsEvening Programs are the only festival events that require a free ticket. Pick up a ticket the day of the program at the Visitor Center Information Desk. Programs are held at 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. each night, and the location is shared when you pick up your ticket. See Schedule of Events above for program details. Telescope Stargazing SiteThis year's telescope site will be located within the park across the street from the Visitor Center. It will be open each night of the festival from 10 p.m. to midnight and is open to the public. We are excited to share the night sky with our visitors, and thank our partners at the Salt Lake Astronomical Society and University of Utah for their participation, expertise, and generosity with their telescopes. Weather CancellationsIn the event that weather requires cancelling telescope viewing, we will post an update no later than 10 p.m. to our Current Conditions page and our Twitter page. No account is needed to view the page. TransportationParking at the Visitor Center will be very limited, so we strongly recommend parking at the Shuttle Station and riding the Star Shuttle into the park. If you're staying at a park campground or the Lodge, you can pick the shuttle up there. The last shuttle bus leaving the Visitor Center will depart each night around 12:15 a.m. and we'll ensure everyone gets where they need to go. Handicap ParkingDisabled parking spaces are available at the Visitor Center and the Telescope site. Star shuttles are also fully accessible. If Visitor Center spaces are full, a ranger can direct you to disabled parking spaces at the turn for North Campground (first left past Visitor Center). What to BringOvernight temperatures are typically in the 40s Fahrenheit. A light jacket is a good idea if you plan to be outside for awhile after dark. While red light flashlights are okay, we ask that no white light flashlights be used due to their negative effect on night vision. After using a white light, it can take well over thirty minutes for your eyes to begin to readjust to the profound darkness of Bryce Canyon. AmenitiesPortapotties will be available at the Telescope Site. No other amenities will be available. Star ShuttleEach night of the festival, shuttle service will continue to limited locations between 8 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. Parking will be limited at Evening Program and Telescope locations, so we strongly recommend parking at the Shuttle Station in Bryce Canyon City (2 miles north of park entrance) and riding the Star Shuttle into the park. Shuttles arrive at each stop every 15 minutes. Use of the Star Shuttle is free with park admission. Star Shuttle Stops
NPS/Keith Moore |
Last updated: March 19, 2025