Blackout: Night Sky Festival

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Blackout: Night Sky Festival

Constellations may connect the stars, but what connects us to the night sky?

Inspired by the global dark sky movement, this family-friendly festival brings together storytellers, astronomers, musicians, artists and Indigenous youth to share their relationships to the skies. Come early and watch the sun set over the mountains. Stay late and see the Perseid meteor shower light up the night skies. And explore the galleries all night as MOA stays open until midnight.

You’ll have the chance to peer into telescopes, make your own star lantern and experience an experimental art installation that reimagines the constellations. Be sure to bring a blanket to enjoy the stargazing along with downtempo, ambient and tribal beats, plus live music and throat singing!

Blackout Night Sky Festival Schedule

Indigenous Sky Stories | 5–6:30 pmJoin us in the Great Hall for celestial storytelling by Margaret Grenier and learn about what you’ll see in the skies that night from the UBC Astronomy Club. 

Late Night Gallery Viewing | 5 pm – midnightExplore MOA all night long — including our brand new Gallery of Northwest Coast Masterworks. 

Bar + BBQ + Music | 7 pm – midnightGrab a bite to eat or drink from our licensed bar and enjoy the music that runs all night. Vegetarian and non-alcoholic options available. 

Lantern Making Workshop | 7–9 pmMake your own pinhole lantern inspired by constellations from around the world in this drop-in workshop hosted by the Secret Lantern Society. 

Reclaiming the Night Skies | 8:30 pm – midnightExperimental artists Hfour and the MOA’s Native Youth Program present an immersive, projected art installation that brings to life a series of new constellations, featuring soundscapes by Adham Shaikh. 

Lantern Procession | 9pmJoin the procession of freshly built lanterns and roving musicians as we make our way across the Museum Grounds and up the hill for a night of stargazing! 

Stargazing + Meteor Shower | 9:30 pm – midnightHow many meteors can you find? Expand your knowledge of the night sky with the telescopes and expertise of the UBC Astronomy Club and HR MacMillan Space Centre, set to a background of live and electronic music. On view that night: Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, M13, M15, Ring Nebula, Lagoon Nebula, Dumbbell Nebula and the Perseid meteor shower.

All-Ages / Licensed 

Adults - $10

Youth & Students - Free