Stargazing and family fun await at Barlow Planetarium’s first Family Astronomy Night of 2026

Winnebago County’s Barlow Planetarium, Wisconsin’s first major planetarium dedicated to sharing the wonders of the universe, is partnering with NEWSTAR to invite the Northeast Wisconsin community to Family Astronomy Night on Saturday, March 28. This family-friendly event promises a night filled with exploration, discovery and fun for all ages. To commemorate 28 years of sharing the wonders of the universe, Barlow Planetarium and NEWSTAR will be offering family-friendly shows and a night of free telescope viewing.

Family Astronomy Night highlights:

• Free telescope viewing: From 6:30-9:30 p.m., NEWSTAR will provide free telescope viewing of the moon and planets (weather permitting). No planetarium show ticket is required to participate.
• Family-friendly shows: A variety of engaging shows for all ages will be featured throughout the day, including children’s star shows, family laser shows and fan-favorite laser shows.

Event schedule for Saturday, March 28:

• 1 p.m. | Daughter of the Stars (Children’s star show)
• 2:30 p.m. | Taylor Swift (Family laser show)
• 4 p.m. | More Than Meets the Eye (Feature astronomy/star show)
• 6 p.m. | Daughter of the Stars (Children’s star show)
• 7:30 p.m. | More Than Meets the Eye (Feature astronomy/star show)
• 9 p.m. | Pink Floyd Double Feature (Fan-favorite laser show)
• 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Free Telescope Viewing (Moon and planets with NEWSTAR, weather permitting)

“There’s no better way to celebrate 28 years of inspiring curiosity and wonder than by bringing families together under the stars,” said Teri Gee, PhD, planetarium manager at Barlow Planetarium. “Family Astronomy Night is a perfect opportunity to connect with the universe, whether it’s through an engaging laser show or a close-up view of the moon and planets through a telescope.”

Ticket information:
Telescope viewing is free, and tickets for planetarium shows are available now. Visit the Barlow Planetarium’s website at barlow.winnebagocountywi.gov/show-schedule for details on pricing and showtimes. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the wonders of the universe with your family.

As one of the busiest stand-alone planetariums in the Midwest, Winnebago County’s Barlow Planetarium has been a cornerstone of immersive, astronomical education and entertainment in the region for over two decades.  For more information, visit: https://barlow.winnebagocountywi.gov/.

Looking ahead:

In anticipation of National Astronomy Day on April 25, the Barlow Planetarium and NEWSTAR are also hosting an astrophotography contest, inviting community members to submit their best images of the night sky. Submissions are open now through April 11, with winning entries to be featured and voted on during National Astronomy Day festivities.

Community members are encouraged to submit their photos to photocontest@new-star.org.

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About the Barlow Planetarium:

Sharing the wonders of the universe, Winnebago County’s Barlow Planetarium, located in Menasha, Wis., is a leader in astronomical education and entertainment. From immersive star shows to dazzling laser light experiences, the Barlow offers year-round programming that inspires and educates visitors of all ages. Visit barlow.winnebagocountywi.gov/ for more information.