© Neil Zeller
Northern Nights
Kluane National Park and Reserve
Kluane’s 10th Annual Dark Sky Festival
September 18 - 19, 2026
Celebrate the return of the dark sky at Yukon’s only Dark Sky Festival! As the midnight sun fades, late September is the perfect time to gaze up and marvel at the infinite night sky. Join Parks Canada, the Yukon Astronomical Society, Yukon Government, and the YukonU STEAM Team for two days of stargazing, hands-on workshops, live music, storytelling, and fun crafts for all ages.
Location: Mät’àtäna Män (Kathleen Lake Day Use Area)
Camping is available nearby at Kathleen Lake Campground.
Schedule of events
Friday September 18, 2026
6pm to 7pm: Parks Canada Campfire Talk - Winter is Coming
- From 20 hours of light to 20 hours of darkness, how will the ecosystem respond to this dramatic change? Find out what the plants, animals and people get up to in autumn at this special Northern Nights themed campfire talk!
7pm to 8:30pm: Make Your Own Lantern Workshop
- Get ready to light up the dark skies! Drop in to design your own lantern. Free, fun for all ages, and no experience necessary— materials provided.
9pm to 10pm: Indigenous Sky Talk with Amber Berard-Althouse
- Step outside and gather under the stars for an inspiring presentation on traditional night sky stories with Amber Berard-Althouse, a proud member of the Agunda (Wolf) clan of Kluane First Nation.
9pm to 11pm: Star Gazing with the Yukon Astronomical Society
- Bring a camping chair and a cozy blanket and learn about the stars and planets that surround us. The Yukon Astronomical Society will be on hand equipped with high powered telescopes to explore space and everything it has to offer.
Saturday September 19, 2026
10am to 11am: Storytelling and Bannock with John Fingland
- Join John Fingland around the campfire for freshly made Bannock and captivating stories about Champagne and Aishihik First Nations history and culture!
12pm to 2pm: YukonU STEAM Team
- Drop in for hands-on, space-inspired fun with the Yukon U STEAM Team! Designed to inspire curiosity in science, technology, engineering, art, and math, these activities will give children a chance to explore, experiment, and create.
1pm to 3pm: Stitch the Stars Art Workshop with Christine Dunbar
- Join Kluane National Park and Reserve Artist in Residence Christine Dunbar to create a piece celebrating the night sky using embroidery and beadwork.
To register, please email or call 867-634-5235 (weekdays before 5pm). All materials provided.
3pm to 3:30pm: Q+A: "Ask an Astronomer Anything" with Yukon Astronomical Society
- Have burning questions about the solar system, black holes, or the secrets of the night sky? Bring your curiosity to "Ask an Astronomer Anything" with the Yukon Astronomical Society! This interactive 30-minute Q+A is your chance to chat directly with local astronomy enthusiasts and get real-time answers to your biggest space questions. Perfect for curious minds of all ages!
4pm to 5pm: Night Gliders with Yukon Wildlife Viewing
- If you’ve never seen a Northern Flying Squirrel, you’re not alone. These small rodents live in the forest around us but leave their dens after nightfall, when most of us are in bed. Discover how these squirrels “fly” through the dark sky and try making your own squirrel glider to see how it measures up.
5pm to 6pm: Hot Dog Roast with Parka
- Join Parks Canada and Yukon Government staff for a free hot dog roast! Grab a delicious bite to refuel and keep your energy up for singing—and don't forget to say hi to Parka!
6pm to 6:45pm: Musical Performance by Remy Rodden
- Eco-singer Remy Rodden—a bilingual, rich-voiced teacher and biologist – is committed to helping children learn about nature. He's a clever songwriter, deeply concerned about the environment, and his wholly entertaining show ignites both the young and the young at heart!
7pm to 8:30pm: Open Mic Hosted by Remy Rodden
- We all have talents – at Northern Nights, everybody is a star! Share a song, a poem, or a story at the Northern Nights open mic inside the day use shelter at Mät’àtäna Män (Kathleen Lake).
9pm to 10pm: Asteroids: Flotsam and Jetsam of the Solar System
- Discover the dynamic world of space rocks with the Yukon Astronomical Society in this one-hour presentation. Perfect for seasoned stargazers and curious sky-watchers alike!
9pm to 11pm: Star Gazing with the Yukon Astronomical Society
- Didn’t get to see the stars the first night? You might get lucky on the second night. The Yukon Astronomical Society will be on hand to show us some constellations and planets through their incredible high-powered telescopes.
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