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There’s no place quite like Bryce Canyon by day, and no time like a new moon in June to enjoy it by night. Astronomy festivals feature family-friendly daytime activities and special evening programs, telescope viewing, and constellation tours.
The 2026 Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival is scheduled for Thursday June 11, Friday June 12, and Saturday June 13, 2026.
Attending the festival is free with park admission. Some events require advance sign-up. Evening programs tickets are available same-day at 8 a.m. in the Visitor Center. There is no advance sign-up. Other programs, such as the astrophotography workshop, can be signed up for in advance. Most other programs, including nightly telescope viewing, are open to the public.
Visit our Ranger Program page for more information on our regularly-offered ranger programs.
2026
Schedule of Events
Free Astrophotography Workshop
9:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
High Plateaus Institute and Bryce Amphitheater area See detailed information and sign up below.
Daytime Activities
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Solar telescopes (weather and staffing dependent) and a special NASA James Webb Telescope exhibit and University of Utah booth.
Evening Programs
A Night in the Parks
Stan Honda will give a visual tour of what you can see in selected national parks after dark. Starry skies, the moon, our galaxy and other astronomical phenomena photographed with the parks’ terrestrial features will be shown. We’ll see a big reason why people visit national parks and why we should preserve our night sky.
About the speaker:
Stan Honda is a New York-based photographer and worked as a photojournalist for 34 years, most recently for Agence France-Presse (AFP), covering a wide range of topics. An ongoing project involves night sky landscapes, combining his longtime interests in astronomy and photography. Stan has worked as an artist-in-residence at eight national parks. His photos have been selected 12 times as NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day. He even manages to photograph celestial events from New York City.
8:30 p.m. 45 minutes
NOTE:Location given at sign-up. This program requires reservations, which can be made same-day at the Visitor Center beginning at 8 a.m. until capacity is reached. Tickets limited to 6 per group.
Star Stories
Through storytelling and audience participation, discover how tonight’s sky provides you with a compass, clock, calendar, and time machine.
About the speaker:
Amy Sayle, PhD, is a science communicator and award-winning storyteller. As a longtime educator at Morehead Planetarium at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she communicates astronomy to the public under the planetarium sky, at skywatching events, and on night paddles. She is a founder of North Carolina's annual Statewide Star Party—partnering with parks, museums, libraries, and historic sites to host a weekend of more than 40 public skywatching events taking place from the NC mountains to the coast. In late 2026 Amy will be an astronomer in residence at Grand Canyon National Park.
NOTE: If there is inclement weather this program will be moved to the Visitor Center Theater, where tickets will be required. These can be picked up same-day at the Visitor Center beginning at 8 a.m. until capacity is reached. Tickets limited to 6 per group.
Stargazing
10:00 p.m. - Midnight
Location: Overflow Parking lot (across from Visitor Center) Shuttle hours will be extended for the festival. Parking at the Telescope field will be limited to disabled visitors unable to use the shuttle, and it is still extremely limited. Parking at visitor center not allowed. We advise parking at the Shuttle Station in Bryce City or boarding from your campground/Lodging in the park. Shuttles will run until 12:15 a.m.
Volunteers point their telescopes at some of the night sky's most spectacular sights. White-light flashlights are prohibited due to their negative impact on night vision.
Free Astrophotography Workshop
9:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
High Plateaus Institute and Bryce Amphitheater area See detailed information and sign up below.
Daytime Activities
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Solar telescopes (weather and staffing dependent) and a special NASA James Webb Telescope exhibit and University of Utah booth.
Evening Program
8:30 p.m. 45 minutes
NOTE: Location given at sign-up. This program requires reservations, which can be made same-day at the Visitor Center beginning at 8 a.m. until capacity is reached. Tickets limited to 6 per group.
The Nuwu Universe
This presentation offers insight on southern Paiute astronomical views and connections to the night sky as a cultural resource. Attendees will learn about various celestial objects and constellations connected to southern Paiute astronomy.
About the Speaker:
Autumn Gillard is a maternal descendant of the Cedar Band of Paiutes which is a part of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah. Autumn is a cultural astronomer who found her love for the night sky through her traditional cultural heritage.
NOTE: If there is inclement weather this program will be moved to the Visitor Center Theater, where tickets will be required. These can be picked up same-day at the Visitor Center beginning at 8 a.m. until capacity is reached. Tickets limited to 6 per group.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope
The Webb telescope is the largest, most sophisticated telescope ever built; its successful launch in 2021 marked the beginning of a new era of infrared astronomy. In this presentation we will explore Webb’s record-breaking performance and its breakthroughs and discoveries in stellar evolution, exoplanets, and solar system science.
About the speaker:
Dr. Macarena Garcia Marin is the Webb Project Scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, and an Operations Scientist for the European Space Agency. She is from the Canary Islands, Spain, where beautiful dark skies and the presence of an astronomical observatory inspired her to become an astronomer. She pursued her undergraduate studies in the Canary Islands, and earned her PhD in Madrid, Spain. She then moved to Cologne, Germany, with a post-doctoral position to conduct extragalactic studies, and joined the JWST MIRI Instrument Team, in charge of integrating, testing, and calibrating the instrument. In 2015 she joined the European Space Agency and moved to Baltimore to work on Webb, where she led the MIRI team through the launch and commissioning periods. She is an expert in mid-infrared imaging and spectroscopy and is part of international collaborations that use space and ground-based observatories to understand the origin and evolutions of our galaxies, from the dawn of the Universe to our own galactic center.
Stargazing
10:00 p.m. - Midnight
Overflow Parking Lot (across from Visitor Center) Shuttle hours will be extended for the festival. Parking at the Telescope field will be limited to disabled visitors unable to use the shuttle, and it is still extremely limited. We strongly advise parking at the Shuttle Station or boarding from your campground/Lodge in the park. Parking at visitor center parking lot will not be allowed. Shuttles will run until 12:15 a.m.
Volunteers point their telescopes at some of the night sky's most spectacular sights. White-light flashlights are prohibited due to their negative impact on night vision.
Free Astrophotography Workshop
9:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
High Plateaus Institute and Bryce Amphitheater area See detailed information and sign up below.
Daytime Activities
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Solar telescopes (weather and staffing dependent) and a special NASA James Webb Telescope exhibit and University of Utah booth.
Keynote Programs
Star Stories
Through storytelling and audience participation, discover how tonight’s sky provides you with a compass, clock, calendar, and time machine.
About the speaker:
Amy Sayle, PhD, is a science communicator and award-winning storyteller. As a longtime educator at Morehead Planetarium at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she communicates astronomy to the public under the planetarium sky, at skywatching events, and on night paddles. She is a founder of North Carolina's annual Statewide Star Party—partnering with parks, museums, libraries, and historic sites to host a weekend of more than 40 public skywatching events taking place from the NC mountains to the coast. In late 2026 Amy will be an astronomer in residence at Grand Canyon National Park.
8:30 p.m. 45 minutes
NOTE: Location given at sign-up. This program requires reservations, which can be made same-day at the Visitor Center beginning at 8 a.m. until capacity is reached. Tickets limited to 6 per group.
NOTE: If there is inclement weather this program will be moved to the Visitor Center Theater, where tickets will be required. These can be picked up same-day at the Visitor Center beginning at 8 a.m. until capacity is reached. Tickets limited to 6 per group.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is the biggest and most complex telescope ever sent to space and is revolutionizing our understanding of the cosmos in fundamental ways. This talk will give the audience a behind-the-scenes look at the extreme engineering of Webb, as well as a cosmic tour of some of Webb’s most significant discoveries in the study of distant galaxies and black holes.
About the speaker:
Dr. Amber Straughn is an Astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, and is the Communications Project Scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope. Amber grew up in rural Arkansas, where the dark night skies inspired her to become an astronomer. She received her B.S. in Physics from the University of Arkansas, and her Ph.D. in Physics from Arizona State University. Amber is interested in answering questions about our universe that relate to how galaxies change over time, including how they form their stars and black holes. Amber is an accomplished public speaker and has appeared on CBS 60 Minutes, PBS NOVA, The Discovery Channel, The Science Channel, NatGeo, in a segment on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and in the Netflix documentary Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine. When she isn't thinking about space, Amber enjoys hiking, yoga, live music, flying her Cessna Skylane with her husband Matt, and playing with her two Great Danes.
Stargazing
10:00 p.m. - Midnight
Overflow Parking lot (across from Visitor Center) Shuttle hours will be extended for the festival. Parking near the telescope field is intended for disabled visitors who are unable to take the shuttle. Even then, parking is extremely limited. We advise parking at the Shuttle Station or boarding from your campground in the park. No parking in the visitor center lot. Shuttles will run until 12:15 a.m.
Volunteers point their telescopes at some of the night sky's most spectacular sights. White-light flashlights are prohibited due to their negative impact on night vision.
Free Astrophotography Workshop
9:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
High Plateaus Institute and Bryce Amphitheater area See detailed information and sign up below.
Back Again This Year!
Free Astrophotography Workshop
Join astrophotographer Don Riddle for a special astrophotography workshop. The workshop is open to all levels of experience, but is geared toward beginners. Workshops are free, but limited to 15 people per night. Classes begin at 9 p.m. with 90 minutes of instruction at the High Plateaus Institute near Sunrise Point, followed by astrophotography among the hoodoos of the Bryce Amphitheater. Open to ages 8 and older.
Review the information below, then sign up via email.
About the presenter:
Don Riddle is a retired Marine officer and former business owner with a passion for landscape and night photography. With a wealth of experience in both military service and entrepreneurship, Don has seamlessly transitioned into a fulfilling retirement, dedicating the last six years to sharing his expertise with others.
Known for his love of the great outdoors, Don has become a valued volunteer for the National Park Service, specializing in Milky Way photography. His primary teaching ground has been the enchanting Great Basin National Park, where he imparts his knowledge to eager learners. Over time, he has expanded his teaching to other breathtaking locations like Bryce Canyon National Park Cedar Breaks National Monument, Capital Reef National, Park Devils Tower, and other National Parks and Monuments.
One distinctive aspect of Don's mission is his annual motorcycle journey out west. As he rides through the scenic landscapes, he combines his passion for teaching with a love for adventure, camping, and hiking. Along the way, he captures the beauty of the natural world through his lens, creating stunning photographic memories that reflect the majesty of the national parks.
Beyond the technical aspects of photography, Don finds immense joy in sharing his love for the parks and the night skies. His classes are not just about taking pictures; they are an immersive experience designed to instill a deep appreciation for the wonders of our planet and the cosmos. Through patient guidance and a genuine enthusiasm for his subject matter, Don inspires others to discover the magic of the night skies and the beauty that nature has to offer.
Camera with ISO up to 6400 (DSLR or Mirrorless)
Wide angle lens 50mm or less (stock lenses 18- 55 mm can work. f stop lower than 3.2 recommended)
Sturdy Tripod
Red light headlamp
Warm Clothes
Memory Card
Thumb Drive
Extra Batteries (Recommended)
Camp Chair (Recommended)
Remote shutter control (Recommended)
9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Classroom instruction on principles of astrophotography and getting your camera set up for the night.
10:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. (or as late as you like)
Astrophotography among the hoodoos of the Bryce Amphitheater near Sunrise Point. Experiment with composition and other special effects with Don and Dr. Kelzenberg.
(Optional) Next Day: 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Learn in-depth how to edit the photos you took the night before with guidance from Don and Dr. Kelzenberg.
From 1:00 - 3:00 come meet Don and Dr. Kelzenberg and scout out the area prior to that night's class.
2026 Astronomy Festival Map
ATTENTION: The visitor center parking lot will be closed to parking during the night time astronomy events. Use the shuttle to access the stargazing site. This year, shuttle drop-off and pick-up will be in the same location, at the entrance road to the Stargazing Site. Riding the shuttle is highly recommended. For those who want to drive themselves instead of riding the shuttle, park at the outdoor theater and walk down the multiuse path.
Astrophotography classes are held at the High Plateau Institute by the Park General Store (near the outdoor theater Star Shuttle stop). To attend a class, you must have registered ahead of time. Parking is available in the immediate area for registered attendees.
Daytime Activities
Daytime activities include activity tents, solar telescopes, and other opportunities open to the public at the Visitor Center between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day of the festival.
Evening Programs
Evening Programs are the only festival events that require a free ticket. Pick up a ticket the day of the program at the Visitor Center Information Desk. Programs are held at 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. each night, and the location is shared when you pick up your ticket. See Schedule of Events above for program details.
Telescope Stargazing Site
This year's telescope site will be located within the park at overflow parking. Access the overflow parking telescope site by the free park shuttle. The telescope field will be open each night of the festival from 10 p.m. to midnight and is open to the public. We are excited to share the night sky with our visitors, and thank our partners at the Salt Lake Astronomical Society and University of Utah for their participation, expertise, and generosity with their telescopes.
There will be no night time parking in the Visitor Center parking lot during the event. Parking is available at the shuttle station and other locations within the park. The Star Shuttle will be available to bring visitors to the event. Please do not walk to the Visitor Center.
Weather Cancellations
In the event that weather requires cancelling telescope viewing, we will post an update no later than 10 p.m. to our Current Conditions page.
Transportation
There will be no parking at the Visitor Center in the evening hours. We strongly recommend parking at the Shuttle Station and riding the Star Shuttle into the park. If you're staying at a park campground or the Lodge, you can pick the shuttle up there. The last shuttle bus leaving the Visitor Center will depart each night around 12:15 a.m. and we'll ensure everyone gets where they need to go.
Accessible Parking
Available at the Shuttle Station, Lodge, or limited spots available at the event site. A disabled plate or placard is required to use accessible parking.
What to Bring
Overnight temperatures are typically in the 40s Fahrenheit. A light jacket is a good idea if you plan to be outside for awhile after dark. While red light flashlights are okay, we ask that no white light flashlights be used due to their negative effect on night vision. After using a white light, it can take well over thirty minutes for your eyes to begin to readjust to the profound darkness of Bryce Canyon.
Amenities
Portable toilets will be available at the Telescope Site. No other amenities will be available.
Star Shuttle
Each night of the festival, shuttle service will continue to limited locations between 8 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. Parking will be limited we strongly recommend parking at the Shuttle Station in Bryce Canyon City (2 miles north of park entrance) and riding the Star Shuttle into the park. Shuttles arrive at each stop every 15 minutes. Use of the Star Shuttle is free with park admission.
Star Shuttle Stops
Shuttle Station
Ruby's Inn Campground
Telescope Viewing Site
Sunset Campground
Bryce Lodge
North Campground Outdoor Theater
Telescope Stargazing Site
This year's telescope site will be located within the park at overflow parking. Access the overflow parking telescope site by the free park shuttle. The telescope field will be open each night of the festival from 10 p.m. to midnight and is open to the public. We are excited to share the night sky with our visitors, and thank our partners at the Salt Lake Astronomical Society and University of Utah for their participation, expertise, and generosity with their telescopes.
There will be no night time parking in the Visitor Center parking lot during the event. Parking is available at the shuttle station and other locations within the park. The Star Shuttle will be available to bring visitors to the event. Please do not walk to the Visitor Center.
Weather Cancellations
In the event that weather requires cancelling telescope viewing, we will post an update no later than 10 p.m. to our Current Conditions page.
Transportation
There will be no parking at the Visitor Center in the evening hours. We strongly recommend parking at the Shuttle Station and riding the Star Shuttle into the park. If you're staying at a park campground or the Lodge, you can pick the shuttle up there. The last shuttle bus leaving the Visitor Center will depart each night around 12:15 a.m. and we'll ensure everyone gets where they need to go.
Accessible Parking
Available at the Shuttle Station, Lodge, or limited spots available at the event site. A disabled plate or placard is required to use accessible parking.
What to Bring
Overnight temperatures are typically in the 40s Fahrenheit. A light jacket is a good idea if you plan to be outside for awhile after dark. While red light flashlights are okay, we ask that no white light flashlights be used due to their negative effect on night vision. After using a white light, it can take well over thirty minutes for your eyes to begin to readjust to the profound darkness of Bryce Canyon.
Amenities
Portable toilets will be available at the Telescope Site. No other amenities will be available.
NPS/Keith Moore
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No. There will be no parking at the Visitor Center. Visitors must ride the Star Shuttle from shuttle parking or other lots within the park. This is to eliminate visitors needing to walk across the main park road.
Yes, with admission into the park.
Yes. There will be portable toilets located at the Telescope Viewing site. No other amenities will be available after the Visitor Center closes.
Last updated: June 8, 2026
Park footer
Contact Info
Mailing Address:
P.O Box 640201
Bryce,
UT
84764
Phone:
435 834-5322
Phones are answered and messages returned as soon as possible as staffing allows.
