Keweenaw Mountain Lodge announces schedule for 2026 Dark Sky Festival
Eleven speakers have been confirmed, representing fields spanning astrophysics, aurora chasing, night sky photography, dark sky conservation, archaeoastronomy, and geomagnetic science.
What’s happening: The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge has announced the full speaker lineup and updated schedule for the 2026 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival, April 16-18. The annual gathering honors the beauty of natural darkness, the science of the night sky, and the deep connection between people and place, held in concert with International Dark Sky Week.
About the festival: Eleven speakers have been confirmed, representing fields spanning astrophysics, aurora chasing, night sky photography, dark sky conservation, archaeoastronomy, geomagnetic science, economic advocacy for darker skies, deep space imaging, and star-inspired art
What they’re saying: “We are thrilled to share the full picture of what this year’s festival will be,” said John Mueller, who is the owner of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. “From scientists to Indigenous photographers to artists, this lineup reflects everything that makes dark sky culture so rich and worth fostering. The festival exists to help people slow down, look up, and reconnect with nature — and this year’s speakers embody exactly that spirit.”
What’s next: Tickets are $250 per person, plus tax. Attendance will be capped at 50 participants “to preserve the intimate, intentional character of the event,” organizers said. The last day to purchase tickets is April 12. The festival has sold out every year since its 2023 inaugural edition.
Information: For more information and registration, visit the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge website.
Author
Related Articles
Registration closing for annual Small Town & Rural Development Conference in June
The three-day conference includes a variety of speakers from across Michigan and breakout sessions about issues important to rural areas of the state.
$1.4 million investment boosts Build U.P. housing and CTE trade partnerships
The Escanaba-based Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation has committed $1.4 million to Build U.P., a sustainable housing development fund managed by InvestUP.
Houghton-Douglass Falls opens for 2026 with new trail and site improvements
The improvements include a developed parking area, a bridge crossing Hammell Creek, and a gravel-packed trail to ensure a much easier hike for visitors.
