Dark Skies Festival

In celebration of International Dark Sky Week, join McDonald Observatory and community partners for events showcasing West Texas’s famous dark skies. Events will be held April 13-19 at McDonald Observatory and locations throughout Alpine, Fort Davis, Presidio, Terlingua, and others.

Check back for more event details, coming soon!

Tuesday, April 14

• 9:15 p.m. - Star Party at McDonald Observatory ($5-25). Arrive early for dark sky activities in the visitors center, available starting at 8:15 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15

• 9:00 p.m. - Star Party at the Far Flung Outdoor Center in Terlingua (free), featuring staff from McDoald Observatory, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Astro Mucho, and DarkSky International

Friday, April 17

• 9:15 p.m. - Star Party at McDonald Observatory ($5-25). Arrive early for dark sky activities in the visitors center, available starting at 8:15 p.m.

Saturday, April 18

• 1-4 p.m. – Solar telescope viewings, meteorite demos, and more hands-on activities at the Alpine Gem and Mineral Show, held at the Alpine Civic Center (directions) (free)
• 1 p.m. – Telescopes 101 demonstration for kids with Alpine Dark Skies’ Mary Beth at Alpine Public Library (directions) (free)
• 1 p.m. – Special Talk: Lights Out - How Light Pollution Disrupts Bird Migration at the Alpine Public Library (directions) (free)
• 2 p.m. – Special Talk by McDonald Observatory Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator Stephen Hummel at the Alpine Public Library (directions) (free)
• 2 p.m. – City of Alpine dark sky logo unveiling in Alpine (free)
• 2:30 p.m. – Alpine High School dark sky coloring book winners announcement in Alpine (free)
• 9 p.m. – Owl Walk with Borderlands Research Institute scientist Maureen Frank at Kokernot Lodge in Alpine (directions) (registration required, check back for details)
• 9:15 p.m. – Star Party at McDonald Observatory ($5-25)
• 9:30 p.m. – Star Party at Kokernot Park Soccer Field (directions) in Alpine (free)