Join astronomers, artists, wildlife experts and more at Mission Control for a day of hands-on demonstrations, crafts and talks about everything under (and around) the sun. Find out how the stars, moon and planets shaped the beliefs of ancient cultures with Timescape Archaeology and make your own star-aligned artefact. Join Gary Palmer for a solar observing session and learn about how dark skies protect wildlife with Radnorshire Wildlife Trust. There will also be the opportunity to purchase delicious dark-sky-themed products and merchandise!
If that wasn’t enough, there’s even more going on in Rhayader and around the Elan Valley!
Admission Free – There is a charge for the planetarium shows and some of the evening events
Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026
10.30am – Opening Speech
Professor Gaston, Board Member of DarkSky International will give an opening speech.
Location: Elan Valley Visitor Centre
11am – Live Stargazing / Talk from New Zealand
Join Gareth Davies, a Member of DarkSky International’s Dark Sky Places Committee, as he takes you on a live tour of the night skies of New Zealand.
If the weather doesn’t play ball down under, he will give a talk about his work in obtaining a Dark Sky International status in our ‘twinned’ dark sky, Great Barrier Island Dark Sky Sanctuary, and talk about the treasures of the southern hemisphere.
Book Now
Location: Elan Valley Visitor Centre
11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm – Astroarchaeology with Timescape Archaeology
Find out how the stars, moon and planets shaped the beliefs of ancient cultures with Timescape Archaeology and make your own star-aligned artefact. No need to book.
Location: Elan Valley Visitor Centre
11am – 5pm – Drop-In Lantern-Making
CARAD will be on-hand to help you make small and simple lanterns using willow and glass jars, Show off your creations at the Lantern Procession at 7pm. No need to book.
Location: Elan Valley Visitor Centre
11am – 5pm – Hawke Binoculars
Hawke Binoculars are a UK based company and has a global reputation for supplying quality binoculars and spotting scopes. They will be on-hand to demonstrate their binoculars and let you try them out, whether you are a stargazer or bird watcher.
Location: Elan Valley Visitor Centre
11am – 5pm – Mid Wales Astronomy
Come and meet the members of Mid Wales Astronomy, where they will show you telescopes, answer all your questions about the night sky and talk about their society
Location: Elan Valley Visitor Centre
Wait! There’s Even More!
10am – Lantern Making
Learn how to make willow and paper lanterns inspired by nocturnal creatures in and around Elan Valley. Artist Zoe Matthews will lead groups through lantern making workshops using willow structures and crepe paper in preparation for a lantern procession at a secret location on Saturday evening.
Fully Booked
Location: Lost Arc, Rhayader
11am, 2pm and 4pm – Planetarium Shows
The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team will be bringing the stars to Rhayader through their planetarium shows throughout the day! A planetarium is a large inflatable tent and a cinema all at the same time, where stars are projected inside the dome.
Solar System Show – 11am – Book now
The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team will take you on a tour of the Solar System through their planetarium show. Starting from the Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park and finishing with the furthest man-made object in space, Voyager 1, this show is suitable for people of all ages.
Celtic Constellations and Mythology Planetarium Show – 1pm – Book now
Did you know the ancient Celtic people of the UK had their own stories and mythologies about the night sky? The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team will take you on a magical tour of the night sky and reveal our well-known constellations in a new light.
FREE!! Storytelling Under the Stars – 4pm – Book Now
Storytelling is an ancient tradition in educating and entertaining people, and this planetarium show will create a peaceful space to relax and be inspired. Storyteller Mair Tomas Ifans will present a magical collection of ancient Welsh tales about the night as the majesty of the cosmos spins overhead, interwoven by enchanting music from her harp.
Location: CARAD, Rhayader
Evening Events:
Nocturnal Birds, Bats and Moth Walk – 6.15pm – Book now
Take a walk at dusk with local wildlife experts and learn about the winged creatures who call Elan Valley home. Use bat detectors to listen for newly emerged bats which depend upon dark skies for insects. Listen to the evening chorus and observe moths up close!
Lantern Procession – 7pm
Join us for an enchanting evening as a trail of hand-crafted lanterns lights up a Victorian Dam. The night air will be filled with the rhythmic energy of a live samba band, creating a spectacular fusion of light and sound. Don’t miss this beautiful community celebration! No need to book.
Location: Elan Valley Visitor Centre
Talk and Dinner – How to Get Started in Astronomy – 7.30pm – Book now
Join astronomer Rob Davies for a delicious two-course dinner. Afterwards, he will introduce you to the world of astronomy and observing through a talk where you’ll learn what you need to get started with this amazing hobby. Rob will show us what we can expect to see in the sky across the different seasons.
Storytelling Under the Stars – 8.45pm – Book now
Mair Tomos Ifans is a teller of traditional legends, myths and tales, who draws on a deep repertoire of stories and folk songs from across Wales in her work as storyteller, singer, actress and wordsmith. Join her for an intimate outdoor performance under the stars where she’ll share a selection of stories set at night, accompanied by her enchanting harp.
Stargazing – 10pm – Book now
Join stargazers Rob Davies and Sam Price as they take you to an exclusive stargazing site on top of a hill! If the weather plays ball and the skies clear, they will show you close-up views of the Moon, Jupiter, glittering star clusters and teach you about the constellations.
