Boreal Stargazing Week

Dates

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About

FEBRUARY 9-15, 2026
A WEEK OF DISCOVERY, STARGAZING, AND NIGHTTIME WONDER

Boreal Stargazing Week returns February 9-15, 2026, celebrating Minnesota’s remarkable dark skies with virtual programs for schools and community events across the state. This year’s theme, “The Art of the Night Sky,” highlights how science, creativity, and conservation come together under the stars.

Duluth Planetarium: “Painting the Universe for Boreal Stargazing Week”
February 12, 2026
6:00 p.m.
University of Minnesota Duluth Planetarium

Explore the colors of the night sky as we investigate the magnificent variance in the hues of stars, nebulas, and other celestial objects! Attendees will gaze into the colors of the universe within the planetarium, followed by a night hike (snowshoes provided!) in the neighboring Bagley Nature Area. First come, first serve – no registration required.

Star Party: When Stars Align

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Rapids Lake Visitor Center: 15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN 55315
February 13, 2026
6:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m.

Want to learn about what happens at the Refuge after dark? This FREE experience includes a guided walk, stargazing (to the extent conditions allow) local art viewing and many more hands-on activities that help us explore the mysteries of the night sky. Open to all ages. No experience needed, come learn about the wonders of the darkness and how you can help reduce light pollution!

Learn more and register here: fws.gov/event/star-party-when-stars-align

Let’s Go to Jupiter!
Voyageurs National Park; Rainy Lake Visitor Center
February 13, 2026
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

5:30-6:15 p.m: Indoor presentation at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center with Astro Bob, author and night sky educator.

6:15-6:30 p.m: Drive your car on the iceroad to Black Bay trailhead

6:30-8:30 p.m: Step outside on the frozen lake for telescope viewing at Black Bay trailhead. Join us as we observe Saturn, Jupiter, and other wonders of the night sky through our powerful telescopes

Drop by and stay as long as you’d like.

Sam Zimmerman Virtual Art Talk: “Our Relatives at Night”
Virtual Webinar
February 14th, 2026
12:00-1:30 p.m. CT

Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik (Grand Portage Ojibwe, Direct Descendent) – an artist, author and educator – will share a presentation "Our Relatives at Night" featuring art of the evening sky, including sharing of stories that inspired the pieces. Sam Zimmerman will share paintings that feature the night sky, different animal, bird, and fish relatives that are in the pieces. Children and adults of all ages and families are welcome.

Click this link to register.

Valentine’s Day Special: XC Ski & Love Written in the Winter Sky
Voyageurs National Park
February 14, 2026
1:00-5:00 p.m. Ski & Snowshoe
5:30-8:00 p.m. Astronomy & Telescope program

1:00-5:00 p.m: Join Park Rangers and members of the Polar Polers Nordic Ski Club for a fun cross-country ski adventure. Winter equipment (skis and snowshoes) is available to borrow from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for free while supplies last. Drive directly on the ice road from the visitor center to the Black Bay trailhead.

5:30-6:15 p.m: Indoor presentation at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center with dark sky educator, Jesse Gates

6:15-6:30 p.m: Drive your car on the ice road to Black Bay trailhead.

6:30-8:30 p.m: Gather around a campfire and explore the night sky through telescopes and hear love stories from the stars at Black Bay trailhead. Drop by and stay as long as you’d like.

No registration needed. 

Space Fest: A Love Letter to Earth
Bell Museum, Falcon Heights
February 14 & 15, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Join us at the Bell Museum on Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February 15 to explore our planet, Earth. We'll take a look at what makes Earth '”just right,” how we learn about it from space, and what we can do to be good stewards of our special planet. Throughout the weekend we’ll have talks, hands-on activities, and researchers in the museum!

Oberg Mountain Candlelit Snowshoe
Oberg Mountain Trailhead; Lutsen, MN
February 14, 2026
6:00-8:00 p.m.

The event includes a self-guided ski, snowshoe, or hike along luminary-lit trails, with a bonfire and treats available at the trailhead parking lot. This is a joint event sponsored by the Sugarbush Trail Association and local resorts.

Travis Novitsky Photography Presentation

Grand Marais Art Colony Studio 21
February 15, 5:00-6:30 p.m.

A proud member and lifelong resident of the Grand Portage Anishinaabe Nation in northeast Minnesota, Travis has been photographing the woods and waters of the north shore of Lake Superior for more than 35 years. He is a self-taught nature and wildlife photographer whose work focuses primarily on his ancestral homelands in Minnesota.

Travis specializes in images of nature and wildlife, but his favorite subject by far is the night sky. He devotes countless hours to capturing images of star-filled skies and the Aurora Borealis (northern lights).