SOUTHWEST SKIES Astronomy & Dark Skies Festival

SOUTHWEST SKIES Astronomy & Dark Skies Festival launches in southern Arizona

A new festival welcoming tourists and locals to celebrate and experience the awe-inspiring dark skies of the Southwest United States is coming to Green Valley, Arizona.

Southwest Skies will run from October 1-3, 2026, at facilities from Green Valley to Amado, is designed to spotlight not only astronomical research and the Southwest’s clear, dark skies but also the community that makes it possible.

The festival will feature exhibits, science lectures, community events, star parties, a pop-up art show, and a community forum with Tucson and Pima County on the Outdoor Lighting Code revisions currently under consideration. 

The beautiful night skies and Milky Way seen in Arizona

​​“At the Whipple Observatory, we believe that the sky is for everyone, and launching Southwest Skies is just one of the many ways we are working to make the sky, and science, more accessible to our local and global communities,” said Gabrelle Saurage, Site Director, Whipple Observatory. “We also recognize that this festival is so much more than a celebration of the night sky. It’s also opening our local community to guests from around the globe to appreciate what we all get to experience every day and night living here.”

"There's something magical about looking up at the night sky. It reminds us that no matter our background or experience, we're all connected by a shared sense of wonder,” said Nick McLain, Events and Entertainment Manager, Green Valley Recreation. “Through our partnership with Whipple Observatory, Southwest Skies brings our community together to explore, learn, and create unforgettable memories under some of the darkest skies in the country."

Bob Yoesle of Dark Sky Defenders will provide the lead-off presentation on Friday - “Protecting Our Dark Skies.” This will be an in-depth comprehensive review of night sky conservation issues; what light pollution is and how to easily minimize it. Learn about the threats to the night sky from poorly planned development, data centers, and satellites; and what you can do to help promote, protect, and enhance our dark night sky natural heritage.
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Friday, October 2nd 6:00pm-7:00pm at Santa Rita Springs, 921 W Via Rio Fuerte, Green Valley, AZ 85614.

Visit https://southwestskies.cfa.harvard.edu/program for the current list of programs and exhibitors.
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Amy C. Oliver, FRAS
Whipple Observatory