A 10-day festival is bringing stargazing and a drone show to the Alberta Rockies

Jasper is turning its attention to the stars this October with 10 days of events dedicated to the night sky. The Jasper Dark Sky Festival features stargazing, astronomy experiences, live concerts, and a drone show, with events taking place across Jasper and surrounding areas.

It’s a pretty fitting place to celebrate the night sky, considering Jasper is home to one of the world’s largest accessible Dark Sky Preserves.

With so much happening during the 10-day celebration, it can be tricky to figure out what to add to your itinerary. Here’s what to know before you go.

What to expect at the Jasper Dark Sky Festival

What is the Jasper Dark Sky Festival?

The Jasper Dark Sky Festival is an annual celebration of astronomy, science, art, and the night sky, held throughout Jasper and Jasper National Park. The festival takes place in October, which also happens to be Dark Sky Month in Jasper National Park.

The festival celebrates Jasper’s Dark Sky Preserve, which the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada designated in 2011 for its low light pollution and excellent night-sky viewing conditions. According to Tourism Jasper, Jasper National Park is one of 17 designated Dark Sky Preserves in Canada and is the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world.

What can I do during the festival?

The Jasper Dark Sky Festival website highlights six featured experiences, but that’s just a small look at what’s happening during the 10-day celebration. The full event calendar has dozens of listings to choose from. Here’s a look at some of the featured experiences:

Slooh Airstream Experience
- The Slooh Airstream is a mobile astronomy hub where you can learn about the night sky and see how remote telescopes work.
  - When: Friday, Oct. 16 to Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026
  - Time: Noon to 9 p.m.
  - Where: 635 Connaught Dr., Jasper, Alta.
  - Cost: Free
Sun to Stars
- This experience takes you up Whistlers Mountain with Jasper Planetarium for an evening focused on astronomy. You’ll start with a presentation at the planetarium before riding the Jasper SkyTram to the Upper Station, where you can check out night-sky exhibits and interactive telescope stations
Symphony Under the Stars
- On Oct. 17, you can listen to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra strings perform beneath Jasper’s dark skies at Fairmont Jasper Lodge.
Art After Dark
- Downtown Jasper will come alive for an evening of live music, art and performances happening at different spots around town.
  - When: Friday, Oct. 23, 2026
  - Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
  - Where: Various locations across downtown Jasper
  - Cost: Free
Thriving in the Age of Artemis
- CTV science and technology specialist Dan Riskin will take you behind the Artemis II mission, from its launch to the crew’s return to Earth.
  - When: Friday, Oct. 23, 2026
  - Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
  - Where: Evil Dave’s Grill – 86 Connaught Dr. #1418, Jasper, Alta
  - Cost: $75 plus fees
Bahamas Concert
- Head down to Commemoration Park for a free concert from Canadian singer-songwriter Afie Jurvanen, better known as Bahamas. The folk-rock musician will perform beneath the night sky, with a drone show scheduled to follow the concert.
  - When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
  - Time: 5:30 to 8:15 p.m.
  - Where: Commemoration Park – 301 Pyramid Lake Rd., Jasper, Alta
  - Cost: Free

Do I need tickets to attend the events?

Some festival events are free, while others require a ticket. Some free events may also require advance registration, so it’s a good idea to check the individual event listing before heading out. Ticket prices and policies vary by event and organizer.

Is there assigned seating at the events?

Tourism Jasper’s indoor events have general admission seating rather than assigned seats. For outdoor events, you’re encouraged to bring a chair.

Is the festival accessible?

Many of the festival’s events take place outdoors and are considered accessible, but the organizers note that some outdoor terrain can be difficult to maneuver. If you need specific accommodations, the festival recommends contacting organizers about the individual event before attending.

What should I wear?

Since you’ll be in the Rocky Mountains and October temperatures in Jasper can fluctuate, bring warm layers, including mitts, scarves, and toques, especially for evening activities.

Where is the Jasper Dark Sky Festival?

The festival is based in the townsite of Jasper, with events taking place at different locations throughout Jasper National Park. That means there isn’t one single festival site to head to. The Jasper Dark Sky Festival’s official website lists all events, along with the address and location details for each one.

How do I get to Jasper?

If you’re travelling to Jasper for the festival, you have a few options. Depending on where you’re coming from, you can drive, take a bus, or hop on a train.

If you’re driving, Highway 16 runs through Jasper National Park, while the Icefields Parkway connects Jasper with Lake Louise and Banff. Check road conditions before you leave, especially if the weather takes a turn. And if you’d rather skip the drive, Sundog Tours offers bus services from both Calgary and Edmonton.

Jasper is already an incredible sight during the day, and seeing it under a sky full of stars is hard to beat. So start packing your warmest layers and get ready to celebrate the night sky for 10 days this October.

When: Friday, Oct. 16 to Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026
Time: Times vary based on event
Where: Various locations across Jasper, Alta.
Cost: Cost varies based on event

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Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

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