North Carolina Statewide Star Party

2026 Star Party Dates: April 24 & 25

Illustration of two people looking at the moon and night sky through trees

The 2026 North Carolina Science Festival will feature the Statewide Star Party as a signature initiative, thanks to support from the North Carolina Space Grant.

During the 14th annual Statewide Star Party, hosts will offer public skywatching events across North Carolina on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, 2026. Star Party hosts are expected to include astronomy clubs, state and local parks, colleges and universities, planetariums, science centers, nature centers, and libraries. This year’s Star Party theme is “Mission to the Moon.” Select hosts will be be provided with a kit of hands-on activities to engage their visitors.

Is your organization interested in hosting a 2026 Statewide Star Party event for the public? The event host application will open by Oct. 1, 2025, with a deadline of Nov. 30, 2025.

 

For more information, please contact:
Amy Sayle
Coordinator, NC Statewide Star Party
Email: starparty@unc.edu

The Statewide Star Party is made possible with the support of NC Space Grant and the NC Science Festival.

Illustration credit: Tyler Nordgren