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!

On April 8, get ready for Dark Skies Festival with a special livestream from McDonald Observatory.

Monday, April 13

• Events possible

Tuesday, April 14

• 9:15 p.m. - Star Party at McDonald Observatory ($5-25). Arrive early for dark sky activities in the visitors center, 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 McDonald Observatory, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Big Bend After Dark, Astro Mucho, and DarkSky International
• 9:30 p.m. - Star Party at Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis (free).

Thursday, April 16

• 8:30 p.m. - Backyard Astronomy at Fort Leaton in Presidio. This event is free with admission to Big Bend Ranch State Park, $5 per person 13 and older. Reservations required. Contact Arian Velazquez-Ornelas for more info.

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. – Alpine High School dark sky coloring book winners announcement in Alpine (free)
• 3 p.m. – Special Talk: "Preserving Darkness in an Age of Light" by McDonald Observatory Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator Stephen Hummel at the Alpine Public Library (directions) (free)
• 9 p.m. – Owl Walk with Borderlands Research Institute scientist Maureen Frank at Kokernot Lodge in Alpine (directions) (registration required)
• 9 p.m. - Star Party in the Borderlands at Big Bend Ranch State Park. This event is free with park admission, $5 per person 13 and older. Reservations required. Contact Ranger Omar for more info.
• 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)

Sunday, April 19

• Events possible

FREE EVENTS AT McDONALD OBSERVATORY

Visitors to the Observatory receive free general admission all week, Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Discount code DarkSky will extend this offer to online purchases.

Residents of Brewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth, Pecos, Reeves, and Presidio counties get free McDonald Observatory Star Party passes using discount code Local26 at checkout.