Jasper National Park hosts Dark Sky Festival to 25 October
Published on 10/24/2026 at 10:14 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSNight sky programme and park setting
- Tourism Jasper lists the Jasper Dark Sky Festival from 16 to 25 October 2026 across Jasper and the national park.
- Commemoration Park hosts a Bahamas concert and drone show on 24 October 2026.
- The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada designated Jasper a Dark Sky Preserve in 2011.
- Parks Canada describes the preserve as the world's second largest and Canada's largest accessible example.
Jasper National Park is hosting the Jasper Dark Sky Festival from 16 to 25 October 2026, with events in Jasper and across the park. The programme includes astronomy, science, music and night-sky activities during the festival’s final weekend.
Jasper Dark Sky Festival runs through 25 October
The official festival information confirms the 2026 dates as 16 to 25 October. It describes the townsite of Jasper as the festival base, with events held at various locations throughout the national park.
On 24 October, the programme lists a concert at Commemoration Park featuring Canadian artists Bahamas and Kyle McKearney, followed by a drone show. Other listed activities include ScienceFest, a rocket-building session, talks, telescope experiences and a Slooh Airstream astronomy hub.
Dark skies give the festival its Jasper setting
The night-sky programme is tied to a protected status rather than only to the festival calendar. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada designated Jasper as a Dark Sky Preserve in 2011 because of its limited light pollution and viewing conditions.
Parks Canada’s park information describes Jasper as the world’s second largest Dark Sky Preserve and the largest accessible one. The accessibility distinction reflects the presence of a town within the preserve, linking the festival’s public venues with the wider protected landscape.
Science, music and astronomy share the 2026 programme
The festival combines indoor and outdoor formats. The programme includes a planetarium, guided telescope viewing, photography activities, talks about space and family science sessions.
A Tourism Jasper programme guide also lists Sun to Stars at the Jasper SkyTram and Whistlers Mountain, a night photography tour and Indigenous drumming, singing and storytelling around a fire. These activities place the festival across the townsite, mountain facilities and named park locations rather than in one single venue.
Visiting Jasper National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Jasper Dark Sky Festival runs from 16 to 25 October 2026, with events in Jasper and at locations throughout Jasper National Park.
- The festival uses public venues including Commemoration Park, the Jasper SkyTram, Whistlers Mountain and Lake Annette; the official information says outdoor terrain may be difficult to manoeuvre.
- Jasper is in Alberta, Canada, and the Parks Canada information centre is at 500 Connaught Drive in Jasper.
- Night activities take place outdoors or in mountain settings, so visitors should expect darkness and uneven terrain for some programme items.
Searching for Jasper National Park on social platforms
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Frequently asked questions about Jasper National Park
When does the Jasper Dark Sky Festival take place at Jasper National Park?
The festival runs from 16 to 25 October 2026, with events in Jasper and throughout the national park.
What is Jasper National Park?
It is a national park in Alberta, Canada, and includes the world’s second largest Dark Sky Preserve according to Parks Canada.
Where is Jasper National Park and how do you get there?
The park is in Alberta, with the town of Jasper inside its Dark Sky Preserve and the Parks Canada information centre at 500 Connaught Drive.
