Griffith Observatory hosts star party on 14 November

Griffith Observatory and its Public Star Party return to the Los Angeles calendar on 14 November 2026. The event offers public telescope observing on the lawn, with the Southern California site open to visitors during an evening programme.

Public Star Party brings telescopes to the lawn

The Public Star Party begins at Griffith Observatory on Saturday, 14 November 2026, and is scheduled from 2pm to 9.45pm. The observatory describes it as a monthly partnership with local telescope groups, giving visitors the chance to look at the Sun, Moon, visible planets and other objects.

The programme is supported by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers and The Planetary Society. Visitors can try different telescopes and speak with amateur astronomers about the night sky and their equipment. The organiser states that admission to the public star party is free, while telescope viewing may finish before the published end of the event so that everyone in line can be served. Details appear on the November event page and in a separate NASA event listing.

Public observing fits the Observatorys science mission

The event uses the observatorys open grounds for direct sky observation rather than a presentation inside the building. That links the November programme with the sites broader visitor offer, which includes telescope observing, exhibition galleries and live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.

Griffith Observatory has provided public science education since the building opened in 1935. It stands on the south side of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, above Hollywood, and is operated as a public service by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Its address is 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, California.

The public star party also differs from the regular indoor programme because the shared instruments are placed on the lawn and visitors can discuss what they see with volunteer astronomers. The combination of a recognised Los Angeles landmark, a working public observatory and an organised observing session gives the November date a clear place-specific focus.

Visiting Griffith Observatory: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The Public Star Party takes place at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on 14 November 2026, with the programme scheduled for the observatory lawn.
• Admission is free for the public star party, and visitors use shared telescopes rather than bringing unauthorised private telescopes onto the grounds.
• The site is at 2800 East Observatory Road on the south side of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. Visitors can walk, cycle, take a bus, use a shared ride or drive.
• The event takes place outdoors, while the wider site includes hillside trails and grounds around the observatory. The venue advises that lines for individual telescopes may close before the programme ends.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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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 14 November 2026 at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.

What can visitors do at the Public Star Party?

Visitors can use shared telescopes to observe the Sun, Moon, visible planets and other objects, and speak with participating astronomers.

Where is Griffith Observatory and how do you get there?

The observatory is at 2800 East Observatory Road on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. Visitors can walk, cycle, take a bus, use a shared ride or drive.