Be sure to check websites for updates over the coming months, as COVID-19 may result in event cancellations, postponements or park closures. For information on Health Canada guidelines regarding safety precautions, travel and public gatherings, visit canada.ca/coronavirus. Also, check regional and provincial guidelines before travelling.
Events across Canada this summer offer astronomy enthusiasts a chance to enjoy stargazing at its best. Many sites are noted for their exceptional dark skies or unique regional flavour. COVID-19 restrictions are preventing us from gathering in groups like we used to, but even so, some dark-sky enthusiasts across Canada are working to make the sky accessible through online gatherings and some limited outdoor events.
Check out what is available to you in this list of star parties and dark-sky festivals across Canada. Be sure to view event websites or contact organizers ahead for important information about advance registration, fees, accommodations, directions to event sites and updates relating to potential cancellations and COVID-19 restrictions.
Events across Canada
Please note: SkyNews is updating this page as we are informed of changing plans. If you are hosting an event that is not yet on this page or know of restrictions or a change that is occurring, please email us at editor@skynews.ca.
Atlantic Canada
Mount Carleton Star Party – POSTPONED
August 13-14, 2021
Mount Carleton Provincial Park, New Brunswick
Organizers: Mount Carleton Provincial Park & RASC New Brunswick Centre
Contact: Paul Owen
Phone: 506-343-7975
Email: pacificpaul@msn.com
Website: rascnb.ca
Fundy Star Gaze – POSTPONED
September 3-4, 2021
Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
Organizers: Fundy National Park & RASC New Brunswick Centre
Contact: Paul Owen
Phone: 506-343-7975
Email: pacificpaul@msn.com
Website: rascnb.ca
Kouchibouguac Star Fest
September 10-11, 2021
Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick
Organizers: Kouchibouguac National Park & RASC New Brunswick Centre
Contact: Paul Owen
Phone: 506-343-7975
Email: pacificpaul@msn.com
Website: rascnb.ca
Central Canada
Astronomy Nights (Group size limited to 8 tickets through the end of June per event/night; July onward limited tentatively to 23 tickets)
June 25-27, July 2-3, July 10-11, July 17-18, July 23-24, July 31, August 21-22, August 28-29, September 11-12, October 2-3, 2021
Gordon’s Park Dark Sky Preserve/Manitoulin Eco Park (on Manitoulin Island), Ontario
Organizer: Gordon’s Park/Manitoulin Eco Park
Email: reservations@gordonspark.com
Website: gordonspark.com/astronomy
Stargazing Night Hikes (Attendance limited to 23 tickets per event/night)
July 9, July 16, August 20, August 27, September 10, October 1, 2021
Gordon’s Park Dark Sky Preserve/Manitoulin Eco Park (on Manitoulin Island), Ontario
Organizer: Gordon’s Park/Manitoulin Eco Park
Email: reservations@gordonspark.com
Website: gordonspark.com/astronomy
Events at the North Frontenac Star Gazing Pad
June 20 (Sun Party 1-3 p.m.), July 10, August 12 (Perseid Meteor Shower), August 14, September 4-5, October 9-10, 2021
North Frontenac Dark Sky Preserve (5816 Road 506, between Plevna & Fernleigh), Ontario
Organizer: Township of North Frontenac
Contact: Corey Klatt
Phone: 613-479-2231 ext.233
Email: recreation@northfrontenac.ca
Website: northfrontenac.com/dark-sky-preserve.html
Bayside Astronomy
July 2 through September 4, 2021
Mondays: Miller’s Family Camp (Miller Lake), Ontario
Wednesdays: Summer House Park (Miller Lake), Ontario
Fridays & Saturdays: Lion’s Head, Ontario
Sundays: Singing Sands (near Tobermory), Ontario
Organizer: Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association
Contact: Mike Warkentin
Phone: 416-837-2959
Email: m_warkentin@rogers.com
Website: facebook.com/baysideastronomy
The August Star Party (Not open to general public; for observers only)
August 5-8, 2021
Chapman Observing Field, Ontario
Organizer: North Bay Astronomy Club
Contact: Lillian or Robert Chapman
Phone: 705-386-7087
Email: bobandlil14@gmail.com
Website: gatewaytotheuniverse.org
Perseids Meteor Shower Nights (Attendance limited to 23 tickets per event/night)
August 6-8, August 12-14, 2021
Gordon’s Park Dark Sky Preserve/Manitoulin Eco Park (on Manitoulin Island), Ontario
Organizer: Gordon’s Park/Manitoulin Eco Park
Email: reservations@gordonspark.com
Website: gordonspark.com/astronomy
Half the Night Star Party (Not open to general public; for observers only)
August 26-29, 2021
Halfway Lake Provincial Park, Ontario
Organizers: RASC Sudbury Centre
Contact: Linda Pulliah
Phone: 705-671-8127
Email: pulliah@fibreop.ca
Website: sudburyastronomyclub.com
The Last Chance Star Party (Not open to general public; for observers only)
September 2-5, 2021
Chapman Observing Field, Ontario
Organizer: North Bay Astronomy Club
Contact: Lillian or Robert Chapman
Phone: 705-386-7087
Email: bobandlil14@gmail.com
Website: gatewaytotheuniverse.org
Fall ‘n’ Stars 2021
September 10-12, 2021
Johnson’s RV Park, Picton (South Bay), Ontario
Organizers: RASC Belleville & Kingston Centres
Contact: Randy Boddam
Phone: 705-321-3205
Email: rboddam@hotmail.ca
Website: rascbelleville.ca/fallnstars
Millennium Square Stargazing Nights
September 10, October 8
Millennium Square (south end of Liverpool Road), Pickering, ON
Organizer: RASC Toronto Centre
Contact: Arnold Brody
Phone: 905-903-2822
Email: arnbrody@gmail.com
Website: rascto.ca
Western Canada
Saskatchewan Summer Star Party 2021
August 4-9, 2021
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park (Centre Block), 30 kilometres south of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan
Organizers: RASC Saskatoon & Regina Centres
Contact: Richard Huziak
Phone: 306-280-1899
Email: sssp.sk@sasktel.net
Website: sssp.saskatoon.rasc.ca
Thebacha & Wood Buffalo Dark Sky Festival
August 19-22, 2021
Fort Smith & Wood Buffalo National Park, Northwest Territories
Organizer: Thebacha & Wood Buffalo Astronomical Society
Website: tawbas.ca/dark-sky-festival.html
Yukon Star Party (Physical distancing will be required)
August 27-28, 2021
Whitehorse, Yukon
Organizer: Yukon Astronomical Society
Email: yukonastronomicalsociety@gmail.com
Website: yukonastronomy.com
Alberta Star Party
September 3-5, 2021
Starland Recreation Area (north of Drumheller), Alberta
Organizer: RASC Calgary Centre
Contact: Jason Nishiyama
Email: albertastarparty@gmail.com
Website: calgary.rasc.ca/asp2021.htm
Northern Prairie Star Party (Programming and campsite availability will depend on COVID-19 restrictions)
September 7-12, 2021
Black Nugget Lake Campground (southeast of Tofield), Alberta
Organizer: RASC Edmonton Centre
Contact: Rick Bramm
Email: npsp@edmontonrasc.com
Website: edmontonrasc.com/northern-prairie-star-party
Jasper Dark Sky Festival
October 15-24, 2021
Jasper, Alberta
Organizer: Tourism Jasper
Contact: Erin Clyde
Phone: 780-784-5518
Email: info@foundryevents.ca
Website: jasperdarksky.travel
National online events
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, General Assembly 2021
June 25-28, 2021
Online
Virtual conference hosted by RASC. See website for information about programming and registration.
Website: RASC2021GA.ca
