Public Shows for All!
Explore the universe weekly at the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium!
General Show Schedule
- Wonderstruck Wednesdays at 7p - FREE shows for all
- Fridays at 7p - Live guided tours of the universe (includes a tour of Tonight's Sky)
- Saturdays at 2p - Family Show! Pre-recorded shows that are ideal for families (includes a tour of Tonight's Sky)
- Saturdays at 7p - General Public Show! Pre-recorded shows for all ages (includes a tour of Tonight's Sky)
- Sensory Friendly Shows - the 2nd Saturday of the month at 4p
Ticket Prices and Information
- $8 - Adults (age 13-59)
- $5 - Children (age 3-12), Seniors (age 60+), UMD Students (must show student ID)
- Free - Children age 2 and under
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. To purchase tickets in advance, use the link below.
Upcoming Show Schedule
Shows are scheduled a month at a time. The next months schedule will be posted about a week before the start of the month. Tickets for the next month's shows will also go live a week prior to the start of the month. You can find show descriptions below the calendar.
Show Descriptions
Wonderstruck Wednesdays at 7p - FREE Shows
Shows last about 30 minutes. Seats are first come, first served and may fill up fast. Doors open at 6:30p.
- Aug 5th: Exploring the August Sky: I wonder...what we can see in the night sky this month? Explore this months sky with us as we go through the planets and constellations visible as well as discussing upcoming astronomical events like meteor showers or eclipses.
- Aug 12: No Show: The Planetarium crew will be on the road for the Dark Sky Caravan. Click here for more information.
- Aug 19th: Messier Objects and How to Find Them: I wonder...what types of things we can see in the night sky? In 1774, Charles Messier made a catalog of objects he found while looking through his telescope. Come explore the wonders of the Messier catalog with us!
- Aug 26th: Minnesota Water Stories: What does water mean to you? What do you know about the issues facing water in Minnesota? What can you do to help keep Minnesota waters safe and clean? Minnesota Water Stories transports you around the state to see the beautiful views of rivers and lakes in Minnesota, watch scientists in action, and explore opportunities to help protect our most precious resource.
Fridays at 7p - Live Guided Tours of the Universe
Shows last about an hour and include a tour of Tonight's Sky. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Doors open at 6:30p.
Every Friday in August except 8/14: Journey Through the Solar System: All aboard the MWAP spaceship, it’s almost time for liftoff! Sit back and enjoy the view as we fly around the canyons on Mars, plunge through Saturn’s rings, find out why Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet, and more! Join us on our Journey Through the Solar System.
Saturdays at 2p - Family Program
These shows are perfect for families with kids, but can be enjoyed by all ages!
Shows last about an hour and include a tour of Tonight's Sky. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Doors open at 1:30p.
Every Saturday in August except 8/15: Earth, Moon, and Sun: Coyote has a razor-sharp wit, but he's a little confused about what he sees in the sky. Join this amusing character (adapted from American Indian oral traditions) in a fast-paced and fun fulldome show that explores lunar phases, eclipses and other puzzles. Engaging and immersive, Earth, Moon & Sun™ also examines how humans learn through space exploration. A perfect show for families with school-aged kids! Closed captions available upon request.
Enjoy a sensory friendly showing on August 8th at 4p.
Saturdays at 7p - Feature Program
Shows last about an hour and include a tour of Tonight's Sky. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Doors open at 6:30p.
Every Saturday in August except 8/15: The Sun: Our Living Star: The Sun has shone on our world for four and a half billion years. The light that warms our skin today has been felt by every person who has ever lived. It is our nearest star and our planet’s powerhouse, the source of the energy that drives our winds, our weather and all life. The passage of the Sun’s fiery disc across the sky — day by day, month by month — was the only way to keep track of time for countless past civilisations. Don’t be fooled by the terminology; although it is a typical dwarf star, the Sun consumes 600 million tons of hydrogen each second and is 500 times as massive as all the planets combined. Discover the secrets of our star in this planetarium show and experience never-before-seen images of the Sun’s violent surface in immersive fulldome format.
Show Information
- Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.
- There is no food or drinks allowed in the planetarium.
- Please have proof of purchase (email confirmation) ready to show at the door. UMD students will also be required to show their Student ID.
- Parking information here
Gift Certificates
You can now purchase gift certificates! These can be used towards admission to Friday and Saturday shows or for items in our gift shop.