meet us under the milky way on Saturday, september 24, 2022 for the 9th annual dark sky festival!

The 2022 Dark Sky Festival is scheduled to take place at various locations across Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks on Saturday, September 24, 2022. Please follow us on social media and join the Dark Sky Festival Facebook Group to keep up to date on everything Dark Sky!

MEET OUR keynote speaker!

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Kate Gunderson is a mechanical and
aerospace engineer currently attending the National
Test Pilot School in Mojave, CA through a flight test
engineering fellowship. To pursue this opportunity,
Kate left her dream job at NASA’s Johnson Space
Center where she worked as an engineer and NASA’s
youngest Flight Science Officer aircrew member,
supporting various astronaut training activities and
airborne science missions flown all over the world.

Kate was born and raised in West Fargo, North Dakota. Although proud of her hometown, Kate always had a nagging feeling that there was more for her somewhere else. She talked early-on (starting in second grade) and often about her desire to become an astronaut one day.

Although many of her classmates were critical, she has never given up on her dream! 

Website: www.KatelynGunderson.com;
IG: @theplanekate

schedule of events

GIANT FOREST & LODGEPOLE
Walk Around the Solar System
Presented by: Riverside Astronomical Society
  • 10 AM to 11 AM - Big Trees Trail
NASA: Climate Change
Presented by: Terry Himes
  • 11 AM to 12:00 PM - Beetle Rock Education Center
Solar Viewing
Presented by: Riverside Astronomical Society
  • 10 AM to 2 PM - Giant Forest Museum
Kids Zone! 
  • 10 AM to 2 PM - Giant Forest Museum
What Do Black Holes Look Like?
Presented by: Dr. Nils Deppe
  • 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM - Beetle Rock Education Center
NASA Journey to Mars
Presented by: Terry Himes
  • 2 PM to 3 PM - Beetle Rock Education Center​
Caltech Astrophysicist Panel Q & A
  • 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM - Lodgepole Campground Amphitheater
Keynote Speaker Address
Presented by: Kate Gunderson
  • 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Lodgepole Campground Amphitheater 
STAR PARTY! 
Presented by: Kern Astronomical Society
  • 9 PM to 11 PM - Wuksachi Lodge back parking lot
KINGS CANYON VISITOR CENTER
Saving the Dark Film 
  • 10 AM to 11 AM
How To Rip a Star Apart
Presented by: Samantha Wu
  • 11 AM to 12:00 PM
Understanding the Formation and Evolution of Galaxies
Presented by: Dr. Cameron Hummels 
  • 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM 
Antikythera Mechanism: The 2000 Year Old Greek Computer
Presented by: Khaled Alkotob
  • 2 PM to 3 PM
Saving the Dark Film
  • 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
STAR PARTY! 
Presented by: Central Valley Astronomers
  • 9 PM to 11 PM - Big Stump Parking Lot

CEDAR GROVE
"The Dark Night" 
  • 8 PM to 9 PM - Cedar Grove Amphitheater
STAR PARTY!
Presented by: Cedar Grove Park Rangers
  • 10 PM to 11 PM - Cedar Grove Roads End
Photo Credit: Lance Keimig, National Parks at Night

Frequently asked questions

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  • Do I need a ticket to attend any of the festival events? 
    • Nope! The festival is free for everyone and there are no tickets required! 
  • Where in the park are the events held? 
    • There will be events in the Giant Forest/Lodgepole Area and also in the Grant Grove area. See above schedule. 
  • Where should I stay and eat in the parks? 
    • Please check out Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks website to Plan Your Visit. 
  • What time does the festival start/end? 
    • Events will begin as early at 10 AM and our Star Parties will end promptly at 11 PM. 
  • Is this a family-friendly event?
    • Absolutely! We will have activities for all ages! 
  • What should I bring to enhance my festival experience?
    • Great question! We recommend bringing your binoculars, your red-light flashlights/lanterns, and your general excitement for the night sky! 
  • Can I bring my pet? 
    • Unfortunately, this is not a pet-friendly event. 
  • What will the weather be like? 
    • Conditions are ALWAYS changing in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. For up-to-date information please visit the Parks website to check current conditions. 
  • Where can I buy a festival t-shirt with that cool logo on it!? 
    • Great question, we would love to tell you! You can purchase a Dark Sky Festival shirt in either the Foothills Visitor Center, the Giant Forest Museum, or the Grant Grove Visitor Center during the festival. We also have shirts available online so you can get your shirt, hoodies, and tanks before the festival. See below. 
​​Photo Credit: Lance Keimig, National Parks at Night

DARK Sky festival merchandise! 

Don't want to wait to pick up your Dark Sky Festival Merchandise? No problem. Order now on our Bonfire Campaign! Just follow the link below! Happy shopping! (kids sizes available too).

Buy Your t-shirts, hoodies, and tanks here!

Thank you to our sponsors!