2026 Central Virginia Star Party | by UVA Astronomy & Dark Skies, Bright Kids

Gather round to marvel at the skies! Our annual Star Party is an opportunity to come star gaze, with guidance from the UVA Astronomy Department and their educational outreach program "Dark Skies, Bright Kids".

Admission to this event is free, and community members of all ages are welcome to attend. There will be telescope observation using Celestron, Dobsonian and UniStellar telescopes, hands-on astronomy activities, a portable planetarium, and (for adults) cider tastings.

When: October 24th, 6:30 - 10:00pm

Where: Albemarle CiderWorks: 2545 Rural Ridge Lane; North Garden, Virginia

About Dark Skies, Bright Kids:Dark Skies, Bright Kids is primarily a volunteer-run program, seeking to enhance science education in Virginia elementary schools in under-served areas. Operating out of the UVA Astronomy Department, the program hopes to foster the natural curiosity of children in the surrounding community by helping them to explore the Universe in a fun social setting with hands-on activities