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2026 Star Parties and events

January 3, 2026

  •  Southern California Star Parties & Dark Sky Events — 2026

  • NOTE: These are local events, not club sponsored events

Great Orion Dark Sky Festival

Mar 19–22, 2026 – Panamint Valley (near Death Valley, CA)- MESSIER MARATHON WEEKEND

Primitive camping (tents/RVs), no water or electricity. Motels in Ridgecrest. https://www.easternsierraobservatory.com/great-orion-dar k-sky-festival

Nightfall Star Party & Imaging Conference

Nov 6–8, 2026 – Borrego Springs, CA

Hotel & RV Resort lodging, tent camping via RV spots. https://nightfallstarparty.com/

Joshua Tree Night Sky Festival

Fall 2026 – Joshua Tree / Twentynine Palms, CA Hotels, RV parks, and campgrounds nearby (reserve early).

https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/night-sky-festival.ht m

Anza-Borrego Blair Valley Star Party

TBD 2026 – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CA Primitive desert camping, no hookups; bring water and supplies.

https://theabf.org/events/anza-borrego-star-party-blair-vall ey/

Palomar Mountain / Observatory Campground Star Parties

Various 2026 – Palomar Mountain, CA Campground available, cabins/lodges nearby.

https://sites.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/community/friends/ events.html

SkyFest Big Bear Dark Sky Festival

Aug 2026 – Big Bear Lake, CA

Hotels, cabins, and campgrounds available. https://bigbear.com/events/skyfest/

 

Riverside Astronomical Society – Star Party at GMARS

Monthly 2026 – Landers, CA

Camping on-site (RVs/tents welcome) with restrooms. https://rivastro.org/

San Diego Astronomy Association – Tierra del Sol Star Parties

Monthly 2026 – East San Diego County, CA Private dark-sky site; camping for members/guests. https://www.sdaa.org/

Mount Wilson Observatory Public Star Parties

Monthly 2026 – San Gabriel Mountains, CA

Hotels in Pasadena/La Cañada; no camping on-site. https://www.mtwilson.edu/star-parties/

Julian Dark Sky Weekend

Sept 2026 – Julian, CA

Local hotels, Airbnbs, and nearby campgrounds. https://visitjulian.com/

Star Party Camping & Equipment Checklist

 

Desert Star PartiesMountain / Coastal Star Parties
  • Tent or camper with strong stakes (windy conditions)
  • Shade canopy or tarp (no trees in desert sites)
  • Water: 1–2 gallons per person per day minimum
  • Electrolyte drinks, snacks, ice chest
  • Light-colored clothing, hat, sunscreen
  • Red LED flashlight and spare batteries
  • Telescope, mount, eyepieces, dew control
  • Star charts or observing plan (printed or offline)
  • Power bank or battery system (no loud generators)
  • Small table, chair, ground mat, hand wipes
  • First aid kit, snake awareness, plan exit route
  • Warm clothing layers, gloves, hat (cold nights)
  • All-weather tent or cabin booking
  • Sleeping bag rated for freezing temps
  • Propane heater or hot water bottles
  • Rain gear, tarp, ground cover (dew/frost)
  • Red LED flashlight, headlamp, backup power
  • Telescope cover, dew shield, heater strip
  • Food, thermos, snacks, insulated cooler
  • Power station or long extension cord (if allowed)
  • Binoculars for daytime use and night scans
  • Trash bags, leave-no-trace cleanup

Tips: Arrive before sunset. Use red lights only. Turn off headlights and phones. Keep noise low and 

respect others’ night vision. Pack out all trash. Enjoy the dark skies!