Catch the Perseid meteor shower at MOA's Blackout Night Sky Festival

With the Perseid meteor shower returning next month, the Museum of Anthropology is putting on a unique stargazing festival for the occasion.

On Saturday, August 12, at the peak of meteor shower viewing season, Blackout: Night Sky Festival will see the MOA transform into an all-ages arts and astronomy celebration.

The museum will remain open until midnight, as stargazers enjoy the night sky amidst Indigenous storytelling, special musical performances, and lantern making.

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Here is the schedule for the night:

• Indigenous Sky Stories: 5 – 6:30 pm
• Lantern Making Workshop: 7 – 9 pm
• Lantern Procession: 9 pm
• Reclaiming the Night Skies Art Installation: 8:30 pm – midnight
• Stargazing + Meteor Shower: 9:30 pm – midnight

For more information, see the Facebook event page.

Image: Cody Rocko / MOA

While many suggested viewing locations require you to skip town, the Blackout Festival is on the grounds of UBC’s Museum of Anthropology, and accessible by bike or public transit. A BBQ and licensed bar will keep you fed and watered until midnight.

Bringing together storytellers, musicians, artists and astronomers, the event is part of a new initiative to turn the area into an official “urban night sky park.”

Drawing on environmental leadership from local Indigenous communities, the initiative seeks to reduce light pollution and reduce the ecological footprint among local wildlife.

Blackout: Night Sky Festival

Where: Museum of Anthropology at UBC – 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver

When: Saturday, August 12

Tickets: Tickets: $10 at the door