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

The 2026 Night Sky Festival in Joshua Tree is scheduled for October 9-10, 2026, held at the Sky's The Limit Observatory and Nature Center in Twentynine Palms, CA. This two-day, family-friendly event features telescope viewing, expert lectures, and guided stargazing to celebrate the park's dark skies, usually requiring free reservations.

skysthelimit29.org +2

Key Details for the 2026 Festival:

Location: Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center, 9697 Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA.
Activities: Night star parties, telescope clinics, and educational lectures.

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/

California Dark Sky Festival
October 8th - 11th, 2026
Panamint Valley — Next to Death Valley

Huge Telescopes… Astronomy Lectures… Nightscape Photography Workshops… Q&A with Astrophysicists… AstroPicPortal—Download freshly captured Pics of Galaxies & Nebulae to your phone… Food truck… Giant chess set…Giveaways… Camping onsite in your tent/RV/etc. under dark, dark skies… And More!

A Dark Sky Experience https://www.easternsierraobservatory.com/california-dark-sky-festival

Star Party Camping & Equipment Checklist

Desert Star Parties

Mountain / 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!