Celebrate the Night Sky Week Returns to the Twin Ports - September 27 – October 4, 2026

Once again, Duluth and Superior turn their attention to the night sky. The 2026 Celebrate the Night Sky Week brings a full slate of music, art, science, and stargazing to the Twin Ports, all built around the same idea: the night sky is worth protecting, and worth celebrating. Every event is free, though donations help keep the work going.

Light pollution is the glow of artificial light that spreads into the night sky, washing out the stars that would otherwise be visible overhead. It comes from streetlights, parking lots, and buildings that shine light outward and upward instead of down where it's actually needed, and it now affects most of the country. Minnesota still has some of the darkest skies left in the Midwest, especially along the North Shore, but that darkness isn't guaranteed to last. Celebrate the Night Sky Week exists to show people what's still here, and to build the case for keeping it that way!

The week opens Sunday, September 27, at 6:30 p.m. with an evening of music, art, and conversation at Fitger’s in the August Fitger Room, on the third level of the Fitger's Complex (600 East Superior Street, Duluth). Musicians Paul Metsa, David Huckfelt, and Jeremy Ylvisaker will perform, and Ojibwe artist Sam Zimmerman will present new work reflecting on the northern landscape, wildlife, and Anishinaabe stewardship. Free, with donations welcome and beverages available for purchase. Register for the evening here.

Monday, September 28 at 7 p.m., two authors join online to talk about darkness itself: Craig Childs, author of "The Wild Dark," and Leigh Ann Henion, author of "Night Magic." Both writers have spent years exploring what night means, historically and ecologically, and have seen firsthand what we are at risk of losing. Register here.

Tuesday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m., our celebration moves outdoors for a star party at Woodstock Bay in Billings Park, Superior, Wisconsin (15 White Birch Trail). Telescopes will be set up for views of the planets, stars, and constellations, alongside talks on why darkness matters to wildlife in the St. Louis Estuary. The event is presented by Starry Skies North, DarkSky Wisconsin, the Arrowhead Astronomical Society, Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve, and the St. Louis River Alliance. Parking is free. Register in advance here.

Wednesday, September 30 at 7 p.m., the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at UMD (1023 University Drive, Duluth) is hosting a free planetarium show. Exploring Dark Skies is a live, interactive show and full-dome theater presentation. Learn about traditional star gazing, cultural contexts behind the cosmos, and some interesting connections between the stars we see and light pollution. This show has something for curious stargazers of all ages. Seats are first come, first served and may fill up fast. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Thursday, October 1 at 6 p.m., Twin Ports Cafe Scientifique and Starry Skies North present "The Magnificent Aurora: From Myth to Modern Science" at the Dovetail Cafe inside the Duluth Folk School (1917 W Superior St, Duluth). Bob King, known to many as Astro Bob, will explore how our understanding of the northern lights has evolved from ancient myth to modern astronomy.

Saturday, October 3 at 7:30 p.m., a second star party brings telescopes to Hartley Nature Center (3001 Woodland Avenue, Duluth).

The week closes Sunday, October 4. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Great Lakes Aquarium (353 Harbor Drive, Duluth), featuring children's activities running throughout the center. Visitors will learn how dark nights affect the plants and animals living in Lake Superior and the surrounding waters.

Two locations also host informational exhibits throughout the week: the Great Lakes Aquarium, focused on dark skies and aquatic life, and the Duluth Folk School, with information on the benefits dark nights bring to health, science, art, and energy savings, along with simple steps anyone can take to help restore the night. Stop by to learn more.

More information and registration links are available at starryskiesnorth.org/celebrate-the-night-week-2026.