Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Every October, Jasper transforms into a celestial playground. During the Jasper Dark Sky Festival, visitors explore the skies above a designated Dark Sky Preserve. At over 11,000 square kilometres, Jasper National Park is the largest accessible dark sky preserve in the world and one of the only ones that includes a town within its boundary.
The festival blends astronomy, science, storytelling, and nature. Each year features top scientists, photographers, authors, and space experts, including past speakers from NASA and Blue Origin. One of the most anticipated events is Symphony Under the Stars, where the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Strings performs beside Lac Beauvert beneath the open sky—a magical evening framed by mountain silhouettes.
Festival programming includes Star Sessions atop Whistlers Mountain, combining dining and stargazing via the Jasper SkyTram. Guests can experience constellation tours, meteorite displays, light painting, and astrophotography workshops. Additional events include planetarium shows, Indigenous storytelling, drone light shows, guided hikes, and fireside chats.
October is an ideal month for stargazing in Jasper. The evenings are crisp but not too cold, and skies are often clear. With fewer insects than summer and longer nights than early fall, conditions are perfect for viewing stars, planets, and even the Northern Lights.
The Jasper Dark Sky Festival goes beyond simple observation. It encourages meaningful connection with science, the natural world, and each other. Whether you’re learning from a world-renowned astronomer or gathering around a campfire to hear stories of the cosmos, the festival offers a one-of-a-kind blend of education and awe.
Celebrating both the beauty of the universe and the importance of preserving it, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival is an inspiring journey into the night—right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
