Griffith Observatory hosts star party on 17 October 2026
Published on 09/27/2026 at 14:56 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Griffith Observatory will host its Public Star Party on 17 October 2026 in Los Angeles, bringing public telescope observing to the lawn from 2pm to 9.45pm. The event is a practical evening programme for visitors interested in the sky above the United States city.
Public Star Party returns to Griffith Observatory on 17 October
The observatory's official programme lists the Public Star Party for Saturday, 17 October 2026, from 2pm to 9.45pm. It says the event is held monthly with local telescope groups and places dozens of telescopes on the lawn, making the observatory itself the venue rather than simply a viewing point.
The programme is supported by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers and The Planetary Society. The official October programme says visitors can look at the Sun, Moon, visible planets and other objects, use different telescopes and speak with amateur astronomers about the sky and their equipment.
How the October programme fits the observatory's history
The Public Star Party extends the building's long-standing public astronomy role into an evening format. Griffith Observatory formally opened to the public in 1935, and its history is tied to a City of Los Angeles commitment to make astronomical observation available beyond professional science.
The site combines a public observatory, planetarium and exhibition space on the south side of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. Its film history also connects the October programme with the building's cultural setting: the observatory's 1935 opening preceded decades of public science and screen appearances. On 17 October 2026, the lawn will therefore serve both as an observing area and as part of a historic Los Angeles landmark.
Visiting Griffith Observatory: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Public Star Party takes place at Griffith Observatory on 17 October 2026, from 2pm to 9.45pm, on the lawn.
- The event is free to attend. Telescope operators may stop joining a telescope queue early so that viewing can finish by 9.45pm; telescope operation does not run on exactly the same schedule as the building.
- The address is 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, California 90027. The DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus runs from the Vermont/Sunset Metro Red Line station to the observatory, with a stop in front of the building.
- The grounds are on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, and trailheads lead towards Mount Hollywood, the Greek Theatre area and Fern Dell. Visitors arriving on foot should expect park paths and uphill approaches.
- The observatory building and public telescopes are free, while parking near the site is paid. The building is generally open Tuesday to Sunday, but the event date and programme should be checked before travel.
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Frequently asked questions about Griffith Observatory
When does the Public Star Party take place at Griffith Observatory?
The Public Star Party takes place on 17 October 2026 from 2pm to 9.45pm.
Where is Griffith Observatory and how do you get there?
It is at 2800 East Observatory Road in Los Angeles, in Griffith Park. The DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus connects the site with the Vermont/Sunset Metro Red Line station.
What is Griffith Observatory?
It is a public observatory, planetarium and exhibition space on Mount Hollywood. The building opened to the public in 1935.
