Public Programming: Weekends / Stars Tonight / Sundays for Scouts Program

During the school year, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm, the Planetarium is open for Arlington Public School students.

Beginning in September, there will be public programs two weekends a month, one hosted by APS and one hosted by the Friends of the Planetarium. Generally, the first weekend of the month will be an APS-sponsored weekend and two weeks later, there will be a Friends of the Planetarium-sponsored weekend. Both weekends are open to the public and the times and admission prices are the same. The Friends of the Planetarium programs have a different theme each month and at times include featured lecturers and / or activities. Both programs generally last an hour and include a short star-talk for the last 10-15 minutes of the showtime.

On the first Monday of the month (holidays excluded), please join former director of the Planetarium Jonathan Harmon for a look at the stars and celestial phenomena as we welcome back Stars Tonight.

APS Weekends

APS Weekends will be updated here each month.

The next APS Weekend of the school year will be Saturday evening, October 4th, and Sunday afternoon, October 5th.

Saturday evening programs are at 6:00 and 7:30 pm. Sunday matinee programs are generally for children, occurring at 1:30 and 3:00 pm.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12 and seniors. Please note, at this time we can only accept cash ($20 bills and smaller) or checks and admission is first-come, first-served at the door. There are no advance reservations available at this time. Doors open 20 minutes prior to showtime.

Saturday, October 4th

Please join us at 6:00 pm to enjoy

Earth, Moon, and Sun – This show explores the relationship between the Earth, Moon and Sun with the help of Coyote, an amusing character adapted from Native American oral traditions who has many misconceptions about our home planet and its most familiar neighbors. CC available upon request.

After the show, join us for a look at the night sky from Arlington.

Or, please join us at 7:30 pm to enjoy

Moonbase – It has been over 50 years since humankind last set foot on the Moon and now we are going back to stay. MOONBASE: THE NEXT STEP tells the story of this human endeavor, visualizing the scientific and technological advances needed to safely travel 250,000 miles and survive the hostile and alien conditions. How do we establish a foothold on the Moon? Can we explore the vast landscape and extract the resources needed to live there on a permanent basis? Follow our story filled with awe, danger and trepidation and share the wonder of the lunar environment made for the 360 full dome format. Prepare for an immersive and breathtaking lunar experience…

After the show, join us for a look at the night sky from Arlington.

Sunday, October 5th

Please join us at 1:30 pm for

Magic Treehouse Space Adventure – Travel with the brother-sister duo, Jack and Annie, in their Magic Tree House as they discover a note that asks them to answer a series of six questions about space. With the help of the astronomer, the Internet, an astronaut, books and the writer of the mysterious note, Jack and Annie are taken on a wondrous journey of adventure and learning. CC available upon request.

After the show, join us for a look at the night sky from Arlington.

Or, please join us at 3:00 pm for

After the show, join us for a look at the night sky from Arlington.

Friends of the Planetarium Weekends

Information about the 2025-2026 FOAP Schedule can also be found on their website and FaceBook page. FOAP events are open to the public. You do not need to be a member to attend.

The next Friends Weekend is October 18-19, 2025.

Saturday evening programs are at 6:00 and 7:30 pm. Sunday matinee programs are generally for children, occurring at 1:30 and 3:00 pm. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12 and seniors. Doors open 20 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets for t he Friends of the Planetarium programs can be purchased 1-2 weeks ahead of time through the Friends. This link will be updated when tickets are available. If purchasing online, tickets for children and seniors are $3.50 to defray ticketing fees.

Stars Tonight

The next Stars Tonight will be Monday, October 6th.

Stars Tonight will occur on the first Monday (holidays excluded) of the month at 7:30 pm and lasts about 90 minutes.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12* and seniors. Due to the length of the program and time, Stars Tonight is not recommended for young children. Please note, at this time we can only accept cash or checks and admission is first-come, first-served at the door. There are no advance reservations available at this time. Doors open 20 minutes prior to the show and are locked at showtime.

Sundays for Scouts Program

During the 2025-2026 School Year, APS and the Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium will offer a Scouts Program twice a month after the Sunday matinees at 4:30. Please use this link to request a Scout Show.

Thank you!