Jasper National Park hosts Dark Sky Festival from 16 October

Jasper National Park hosts the Jasper Dark Sky Festival from 16 to 25 October 2026, with events across Jasper and the surrounding park. The festival is based in Jasper, Alberta, and its programme combines astronomy, science, music, storytelling and outdoor experiences. Visitors arriving during the current festival period will find a scheduled programme rather than only regular stargazing opportunities.

Jasper Dark Sky Festival runs until 25 October

The 2026 festival began on 16 October and continues through 25 October, according to the festival information page. Tourism Jasper says that events are held at various locations throughout the park, while the festival itself is held in the Jasper townsite.

The listed programme includes guided stargazing, astronomy experiences, science talks, live music, photography activities and family events. Named locations include the Jasper Planetarium, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Commemoration Park, Lake Annette and the Visitor Experience Centre. The combination of these venues links the festival directly to both the settlement and the wider protected landscape.

Dark skies have shaped Jasper's festival setting

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada designated Jasper as a Dark Sky Preserve in 2011 because of its limited light pollution. The festival organiser describes the preserve as one of 17 designated Dark Sky Preserves in Canada and the largest accessible Dark Sky Preserve, meaning that a town lies within its limits.

Parks Canada identifies Jasper as the world's second largest dark sky preserve and places it in the Canadian Rockies. The park is also known for its wildlife and extensive trail network, so the festival's astronomy programme takes place within a landscape that is managed for both visitor access and conservation. The dark-sky designation gives the October programme a direct connection to the park's long-term protection of night skies.

Festival venues connect Jasper with the wider park

Some activities are located in or near the town, while others use viewpoints and facilities beyond the centre. The organiser says that outdoor venues may have terrain that is difficult to manoeuvre, making the exact event listing important for visitors choosing between indoor presentations, town-based activities and outdoor experiences.

The programme also includes events at the Jasper Planetarium and astronomy activities on or near Whistlers Mountain. These locations show how the festival uses both purpose-built interpretation and elevated outdoor settings, although individual activities may have separate arrangements made by their organisers.

Visiting Jasper National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The Jasper Dark Sky Festival runs from 16 to 25 October 2026 at venues in Jasper and throughout Jasper National Park.
• The festival is an active programme of talks, astronomy experiences, music and outdoor activities; the organiser advises that some outdoor terrain may be difficult to manoeuvre.
• The Jasper townsite is the festival base, while named venues include the Jasper Planetarium, Lake Annette, Commemoration Park and the Visitor Experience Centre.
• The Jasper Information Centre is at 500 Connaught Drive in Jasper, Alberta, according to Parks Canada.

Searching for Jasper National Park on social platforms

These links open searches for Jasper National Park on each platform.

Frequently asked questions about Jasper National Park

When does the Jasper Dark Sky Festival take place?

The 2026 festival runs from 16 to 25 October at venues in Jasper and throughout the park.

What is Jasper National Park's connection with the festival?

The park contains a Dark Sky Preserve designated by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2011, providing the setting for the astronomy programme.

Where is Jasper National Park and how do you get there?

The festival base is the Jasper townsite in Alberta, Canada, and the Jasper Information Centre is at 500 Connaught Drive.