By the second week, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival is in full swing. There’s outdoor concerts, rocketry demonstrations, and experts in the fields of science, astronomy, technology and more. From Friday October 24 to Sunday October 26, the schedule is packed. This itinerary will get you to some of the premiere events while also showing you some of Jasper’s top autumn sights.
Friday, Oct. 24
Pahkisimon
There is no better way to welcome the dark sky than to celebrate pahkisimon, Cree for sunset. This starts just before sunset with a ceremonial tipi raising followed by teachings, hand-drumming and song by Warrior Women. As the sun sets, storytellers and dancers will help us welcome in the starry night. Once the celebration has wrapped up, feel free to stay at Lake Annette to enjoy some of the best star-gazing in the area or head back into the Jasper townsite to take in the evening programs around town.
Star gazing with RASC
Want to experience celestial delights in Jasper’s dark sky? Join the astronomers from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Edmonton Centre at this free event for views through their telescopes of solar system and deep space objects. From our neighbor, the moon, to distant nebulas and galaxies, the sky is full of surprises! (Weather permitting.)
Jasper Rocketry Lab
Blast Off with the Edmonton Rocketry Club! 🚀
Ever dreamt of launching your own rocket? Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned hobbyist, the Edmonton Rocketry Club (ERC) welcomes all ages to explore the thrilling world of model and high-powered rocketry!
Saturday, Oct. 25
TALK
Join us for a complimentary outdoor concert with chart-topping alt-pop artist TALK, headlining the second weekend of the Jasper Dark Sky Festival.
Set against the stunning night sky, this open-air show invites you to relax under the stars with great music, local food stalls, and a selection of drinks.
Doors open at 6:00pm.
Drone Show
Tourism Jasper proudly presents Flight of the Swift, a spectacular drone show sponsored by Edmonton International Airport (YEG). This awe-inspiring spectacle follows the endangered Black Swift’s epic migration from the Amazon to the Rocky Mountains. Set to music, it blends light, motion, and storytelling to celebrate Jasper’s skies, wildlife, and Dark Sky Preserve status.
Trivia Night
Get ready for an entertaining evening of science! Gather a team of 2 or 4 and test your knowledge with a trivia challenge, hosted by Canadian television personality Alan Nursall. 18+ event.
Sunday, Oct. 26
Lab Notes Live: Emma Lehnhardt on Many Paths to Space
Join Emma Lehnardt, a space nerd who studied both astronomy and space policy, for a coffee chat about all the different ways to participate in space exploration- from different educational pathways, all of the disciplines required to conduct a space mission, and citizen science engagement. Emma worked at NASA for over 15 years and will talk about how aerospace needs more than engineers!
8:30-9:30am
Andromeda
No Cover
Solar Gazing with RASC
Our nearest star, the Sun (Sol), is a dynamic sphere of gas that erupts with flares and prominences and reveals cooler features like sunspots and filaments. Take a closer look through filters and specialized solar telescopes with astronomers from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's Edmonton Center. (weather permitting).
11:00am-2:00pm
VIC Lawn
No Cover
Brunch Series: More Than Martians with Dr. Tanya Harrison
Why has Mars held humanity's interest for so long? What mysteries does Mars hold--- not just history of the Red Planet, but about the origins of life on Earth? Dr. Tanya Harrison discusses how Mars has captivated our imaginations throughout history, why we keep sending missions there, and why exploring Mars matters even if it shouldn't be humanity's "Planet B."
Brunch Included with ticket.
11:00am-1:00pm
$48