2023 Festival Events

Geocaching/Dark Sky Treasure Hunt

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

-

Get Details

Ahoy Dark Sky pirates! Want to go on a Rocky Mountain treasure hunt? No ship or eye patch required!

Starlight Shop

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

-

Get Details

Whether you're getting ahead of holiday shopping or just in search of a good deal, the Starlight Shop during the Jasper Dark Sky Festival is the can't-miss shopping opportunity of the season.

Bio Blitz

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

-

Get Details

Anyone can participate as long as you have a smartphone. The goal of this bioblitz is to record as many observations of living things in Jasper National Park during the month of October.

Creatures of the Night

In town

$1-$50

By donation

All Day

Multiple Times

10:00am

-

5:00pm

Get Details

An exhibit about Jasper's nocturnal creatures and dark sky photography at the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives.

Solar Gazing with RASC

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

11:00am

-

2:00pm

Get Details

Our nearest star, Sol (the sun)is a dynamic ball of gases that erupts in flares and prominences, and cools to show sunspots and filaments.

Talk Nerdy to Me

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

8:00am

-

9:00am

Get Details

Local experts will be on hand to answer festival questions, or you can just grab a latte and discuss the big astronomical issues of the day with other attendees.

Planetarium and Telescope COMBO - Annular solar eclipse!

Jasper Park Lodge

$51-99

Adults (18+) - $65.00 Youth (4-17) - $25.00

All Day

Multiple Times

8:30am

-

10:00am

Get Details

Join staff from The Jasper Planetarium for the astronomical event of the year in the Rockies: a partial solar eclipse!

WISEST Youth Camp (9-11 Years Old)

In town

$1-$50

$20

All Day

Multiple Times

9:00am

-

12:00am

Get Details

Join WISEST in a hands-on workshop designed for youth between the ages of 9-11 years. Participate in chemistry demonstrations and group activities designed to spark excitement for science!

Science for Breakfast with Erich Karkoschka

In town

$1-$50

$40

All Day

Multiple Times

9:00am

-

11:00am

Get Details

Join Planetary Scientist Erich Karkoschka to learn how to observe deep-sky objects in the night sky, whether using the naked eye, binoculars, or a large telescope.

WISEST Youth Camp (12-16 Years Old)

In town

$1-$50

$20

All Day

Multiple Times

9:00am

-

12:00pm

Get Details

Join WISEST in a hands-on workshop designed for youth between the ages of 12-16 years. Participate in chemistry demonstrations and group activities designed to spark excitement for science!

Jasper Rocketry Lab

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

9:00am

-

12:00pm

Get Details

Ever want to build a rocket and learn what makes them go? We have various levels of model rockets that we can help you build and then help you launch them.

Wish Upon a Star

In town

Free

By Donation

All Day

Multiple Times

9:00am

-

5:00pm

Get Details

Embrace the magic: Donate for a star, write your deepest wish, and then watch as illuminated mountains carry your dreams skyward. Donations go to the Jasper Food Bank.

Telescope Experience - Annular solar eclipse!

$1-$50

Adults (18+) - $40.00 Youths (4-17) - $20.00

All Day

Multiple Times

9:10am

-

9:55am

Get Details

Join staff from The Jasper Planetarium for the astronomical event of the year in the Rockies: a partial solar eclipse!

Science for Brunch- Marlos Machado

In town

$1-$50

$40

All Day

Multiple Times

10:00am

-

12:00pm

Get Details

In this talk, Dr. Machado will delve into their work on developing an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to serve as a high-performing flight controller for superpressure balloons.

Field Photography Experience

Out of Town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

10:00pm

-

12:00am

Get Details

A hands-on field photography experience along the shores of The Athabasca River in Jasper's Dark Sky Preserve.

Science for Brunch with Patrick Pilarski

In town

$1-$50

$40

All Day

Multiple Times

11:00am

-

1:00pm

Get Details

Humans rely on a range of tools and technologies as we boldly go out to explore the unknown. Some of those tools even become part of our bodies as we attach advanced devices to our tissue, our bones,

Science for Lunch with Jeanine Holowatuik

In town

$1-$50

$40

All Day

Multiple Times

12:00pm

-

2:00pm

Get Details

Learn tips and tricks for chasing and capturing the northern lights from an avid Aurora chaser and Astro photographer.

Science for Lunch with Matthew Guzdial

In town

$1-$50

$40

All Day

Multiple Times

12:00pm

-

2:00pm

Get Details

From Elite (1984) to modern titles like No Man's Sky (2016) and Starfield (2023), video games have been using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate alien planets and galaxies for decades. Blending

Science of Distilling

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

12:00pm

-

1:00pm

Get Details

Join Kristina Craig, owner/distiller of Dark Sky Distillery, as she shares her passion behind the craft.

The Space Between Stars

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

12:30pm

-

1:30pm

Get Details

Join the Book Lovers Weekend and Edmonton playwright Christine Lesiak at the Jasper Library for a presentation of her award winning script 'The Space Between Stars'.

ScienceFest, presented by TELUS World of Science - Edmonton

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

1:00pm

-

4:00pm

Get Details

TELUS World of Science Edmonton presents a universe of science fun! Join our science demonstrators as they turn Commemoration Park into their very own science lab

Blast Off

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

1:00pm

-

6:00pm

Get Details

Examine various levels of model rockets that you can build at home. Depending on the weather, members of the ERC will also be demonstrating some of their larger rockets throughout the afternoon.

Observer's Sky Atlas Book Signing

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

1:00pm

-

2:30pm

Get Details

Join us at the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives to meet Planetary Scienctist Erich Karkoschka who be be signing copies of his book Observers Sky Atlas.

Cosmos and Cocktails

In town

$51-99

$60

All Day

Multiple Times

1:00pm

-

2:00pm

Get Details

Stir up a galaxy-inspired cocktail to enjoy while you design an intergalactic dried floral arrangement in a gorgeous spotted Nebula glass vase! Choose from blue or copper.

Unveiling the Mysteries of Faraway Galaxies: A Journey with the James Webb Space Telescope

In town

$1-$50

$15

All Day

Multiple Times

2:30pm

-

4:00pm

Get Details

Recently, Hamid made significant contributions by utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope, the largest and most advanced space telescope, to investigate dust properties in nearby galaxies.

Night Photography Workshop

In town

$1-$50

$10

All Day

Multiple Times

2:30pm

-

4:30pm

Get Details

Join Jeanine Holowatuik and Mike Gere for this classroom workshop experience to learn or improve on your night photography skills.

Intro to Astro - Photography Workshop

$100+

$200

All Day

Multiple Times

4:30pm

-

9:30pm

Get Details

Jasper is the largest accessible Dark Sky Preserve in the world, there is simply no better place to start learning about night photography.

Solar/Early Evening Telescopes

Jasper Park Lodge

$51-99

$65 for Adults and $25 for Youth

All Day

Multiple Times

4:45pm

-

7:00pm

Get Details

Looking at live (and safely filtered) views of the surface of the Sun and other daytime sights (such as the Moon or Venus, if they’re out).

ᐸᐦᑭᓯᒧᐣ pahkisimon

Out of Town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

5:00 PM

-

7:00 PM

Get Details

There is no better way to welcome the dark sky than to celebrate pahkisimon, Cree for sunset. This indigenous storytelling event is crafted by Teneil Whiskeyjack.

Star Sessions

Out of Town

$100+

Starting at $115

All Day

Multiple Times

5:00pm

-

10:00pm

Get Details

Join us this September and October. Blast off with astronomy experts from Jasper Planetarium for an exclusive dining and stargazing experience atop Jasper SkyTram.

Dark Sky Distillery Tasting

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

5:00pm

-

8:00pm

Get Details

Sample the Official Gin of the Jasper Dark Sky Festival as well as their delicious sparkling cocktails.‍

Planetarium Dome Theatre Experience

Jasper Park Lodge

$1-$50

$29 for Adults and $15 for Youth

All Day

Multiple Times

Duration 40 Minutes.

5:45pm

-

10:00pm

Get Details

Join us for a LIVE guided tour in our 34-seat domed theatre with our knowledgeable astronomy guides.

An Intimate Evening with Marc Garneau, presented by the Rotary Club of Jasper

In town

$100+

$125 each or $900 per table of 8

All Day

Multiple Times

6:00pm

-

11:00pm

Get Details

Join us for an extraordinary evening with Honourable Marc Garneau, renowned astronaut, military officer, engineer, and politician, as our guest speaker.

Jasper Rocketry Lab

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

6:00pm

-

9:00pm

Get Details

Ever want to build a rocket and learn what makes them go? We have various levels of model rockets that we can help you build and then help you launch them.

Science of Cocktails

In town

$1-$50

$25

All Day

Multiple Times

6:00pm

-

7:00pm

Get Details

Looking for a match made in heaven? Dark Sky Distillery’s Aurora Gin is meticulously crafted from grain-to-glass.

Cocktails and Constellations

In town

$100+

$139

All Day

Multiple Times

Multiple Times. Duration 3.5 hours

6:00pm/ 8:00pm

-

9:30pm/ 11:30pm

Get Details

Orbit the galaxy with a multi-course meal including cocktail pairing, stargazing and a Jasper Planetarium dark sky telescope experience.

Animals of the Night Hike

Out of Town

$1-$50

$50 for Adult, $40 for Youth

All Day

Multiple Times

6:30pm

-

9:00pm

Get Details

Come join local guide Marie-Soleil on this family-friendly night hike up on Pyramid Bench.

Sunset Helicopter Cruise in the Rockies

$100+

$849

All Day

Multiple Times

Duration 30 mins

6:30pm

-

8:00pm

Get Details

A 30 minute tour departing from the Jasper Hinton Airport will whisk you along the immense Boule range into the Moosehorn Valley. Then zip through the main Athabasca valley towards Miette Hotsprings.

Music of the Night

Jasper Park Lodge

$1-$50

Adults (18+) - $39 Youths (10-17) - $29

All Day

Multiple Times

6:45pm

-

7:15pm

Get Details

Join harpist Morgan McKinney inside the Jasper Planetarium dome theatre for LIVE music selections from a variety of genres including classical, folk, and Celtic among visuals of Jasper by day, night,

Fireside chat

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

Multiple Times. Starts on the Hour ever hour. Duration 45 minutes

7:00pm

-

9:45pm

Get Details

Have you ever wanted to hear the Indigenous stories of the land, feel the heart beat of the drum or have hands-on experience with a local Indigenous Knowledge Keeper?

Yoga Under the Stars

Out of Town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

7:00pm

-

8:00pm

Get Details

Join Jasper Wellness for Yoga Under the Stars an evening class designed for all levels to unwind under the constellations. Class is weather permitting, dress in layers. Bring your own mat or towel and

International Observe the Moon Night

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

7:00pm

-

9:00pm

Get Details

Join Brian Catto from Parks Canada for some moon viewing in downtown Jasper. He’ll have telescopes and binoculars set up for you to explore mountain ranges and craters on the moon.

Jasper Dark Sky Space Ball

Jasper Park Lodge

$1-$50

$40

All Day

Multiple Times

7:00pm

-

1:00am

Get Details

Finish the festival with a night of sidesplitting fun! Pack away the telescopes, unbutton your lab coats, and put on your best sci-fi-inspired costume for the brand-new Jasper Dark Sky Festival Space

Miette Ghost Town and Galaxies

Out of Town

$51-99

$89 Adult $44.50 Child

All Day

Multiple Times

7:00pm

-

9:30pm

Get Details

Historic frights, starry sights and barbecue bites await! Savour a barbecue dinner with themed hot or cold drinks then embark on a guided Halloween hike past Jasper’s abandoned coal mine ruins

Dark Sky Paint Night

In town

$1-$50

$50

All Day

Multiple Times

7:00pm

-

9:00pm

Get Details

Join Karly MacDonald for a paint night! In this session, you will paint a night mountain scene with the milky way and auroras.

Dark Sky Glow Painting

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

7:00pm

-

8:00pm

Get Details

Add your flare to a community glow painting of a mountain night sky scape.

Jay Ingram and the Dark Sky Band Show

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

7:30pm

-

8:45pm

Get Details

Jay Ingram and the Dark Sky Band are back with a new show! Music, images and narration tell the story of our future.

Aurora Chasers Reception

In town

$1-$50

$50

All Day

Multiple Times

8:00 PM

-

Get Details

Join fellow Aurora enthusiasts for an evening reception and hear Christian Harris explain the mysteries of the aurora.

Symphony Under the Stars

Jasper Park Lodge

$100+

Starting from $119 per person

All Day

Multiple Times

8:00pm

-

10:00pm

Get Details

Cozy up with a blanket and witness the magic of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Strings, amplified by the Rocky Mountains, under thousands of twinkling stars.

Night Photography Tour

Out of Town

$51-99

$99

All Day

Multiple Times

Duration 2 Hrs.

8:00pm

-

11:00pm

Get Details

This 2 hour Dark Sky Festival tour provides the best opportunities for creativity in Jasper's Dark Sky Preserve.

Star Gazing with RASC

Out of Town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

8:00pm

-

11:00pm

Get Details

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.

An Evening with Emily Carney

In town

$51-99

$99

All Day

Multiple Times

8:00pm

-

10:00pm

Get Details

Join Emily for dinner at Evil Dave’s Grill for a three-course meal and a wine pairing that can be added on.

Drone Light Spectacle

In town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

8:45pm

-

9:00pm

Get Details

Tourism Jasper presents a one-of-a-kind event in the night sky! Join us to witness an inspiring creation of drone choreography set in a National Park.

Insta Meet-up with local photograher Mike Gere

Out of Town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

9:00pm

-

11:00pm

Get Details

Get free photography guidance and tips from local dark sky photographer Mike Gere from Jasper Photo Tours.

Planetarium and Telescope Combo

Jasper Park Lodge

$51-99

$65 for Adults and $25 for Youth

All Day

Multiple Times

Duration 1.5-2 hours

9:00pm

-

12:00am

Get Details

What's Included…Enjoy an entertaining, fun-filled evening of cosmic discovery! This full program includes both our Planetarium Experience & Telescope Experience.

Planetarium Dark Sky Package

Jasper Park Lodge

$51-99

$89 per adult, $39 per child

All Day

Multiple Times

9:00pm

-

12:00am

Get Details

Join astronomy experts from The Jasper Planetarium for an out-of-this-world Rocky Mountain evening experience.

Beyond the Horizon; A Journey into the Dark Sky Preserve

Out of Town

$100+

$120

All Day

Multiple Times

Multiple Times Duration 2hrs

9:00pm

-

11:00pm

Get Details

Join the most experienced star guides in Jasper this October as we tour the night sky during our legendary Dark Sky Festival.

Laser Guided Tour of the Constellations

Out of Town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

9:00pm

-

10:00pm

Get Details

Join Brian Catto from Parks Canada as he shares stories of the constellations visible above Jasper National Park Dark Sky Preserve. Bring a chair or a blanket to lie on the ground.

Field Photography Experience

Out of Town

Free

Free

All Day

Multiple Times

9:00pm

-

12:00am

Get Details

A hands-on field photography experience along the shores of The Athabasca River in Jasper's Dark Sky Preserve.

Scotch & Stories- AI Insights with Marlos Machado

In town

$1-$50

$20

All Day

Multiple Times

9:00pm

-

1:00am

Get Details

Join us for an evening of cutting-edge AI insights with Marlos Machando, a distinguished Fellow in Residence and Canada CIFAR AI Chair at the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii)

Trivia Night with Alan Nursall

In town

$1-$50

$10

All Day

Multiple Times

9:30pm

-

11:30pm

Get Details

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.

Telescope Experience

Jasper Park Lodge

$1-$50

$40 for Adults and $20 for Youth

All Day

Multiple Times

Duration 45-60 Minutes

9:45pm

-

12:00am

Get Details

The universe awaits! Come look through the largest, most powerful telescopes in the North American Rockies!