Stargazing events in Northumberland: the next three months

Friday 2 October 2026

• Ready-Set-Rocket! for kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  Children build, decorate and launch their own water-powered rockets and learn how thrust and stability work. Each child needs to bring an empty fizzy drink or sparkling water bottle. Organiser

Saturday 3 October 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 per person (sold out when we checked on 29 September; check for returns)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It was sold out when we checked, so look for returns or a later date. Organiser

Thursday 8 October 2026

• Shooting Star Supper: Draconids meteor shower

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £27.50 adults, £24.50 concessions, £75.50 family of four

  Soup and sandwiches in the Battlesteads restaurant, then the observatory to learn where shooting stars come from, handle meteorites and watch for the Draconids. Indoor activities run if it is cloudy. Organiser

Saturday 10 October 2026

• Stargazing for Kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A two-hour family session learning to find constellations, planets and the Moon's phases, with telescopes, binoculars, real space rocks from the Moon and Mars, and free hot drinks. Children take home activity sheets. Organiser

Sunday 11 October 2026

• Astrophotography evening

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £39 adults, £33 concessions

  A talk on photographing the Milky Way, aurora and star trails, then practical shooting under the dark sky if the weather allows. Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens and a tripod; phones can be used too. Organiser

Wednesday 14 October 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 concessions, family ticket £72 (4 people)

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

Friday 16 October 2026

• Ready-Set-Rocket! for kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  Children build, decorate and launch their own water-powered rockets and learn how thrust and stability work. Each child needs to bring an empty fizzy drink or sparkling water bottle. Organiser

• Aurora Night (early evening)

  19:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  The 7pm version of the observatory's northern lights evening: a talk on the science of aurora, then observing if the sky is clear. Organiser

Saturday 17 October 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

Sunday 18 October 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 concessions, family ticket £72 (4 people)

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

Monday 19 October 2026

• The Dark Cosmos

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  A specialist evening on dark matter, dark energy and the questions cosmology has not yet answered, with telescope observing if the sky is clear and hot drinks included. Organiser

Wednesday 21 October 2026

• Shooting Star Supper: Orionids meteor shower

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £27.50 adults, £24.50 concessions, £75.50 family of four

  Soup and sandwiches in the Battlesteads restaurant, then the observatory to learn where shooting stars come from, handle meteorites and watch for the Orionids. Indoor activities run if it is cloudy. Organiser

Saturday 24 October 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

• Dark skies: the sky is full of ghosts

  18:00 Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, Amble · £12 plus booking fee

  A Halloween-season stargazing evening with NASTRO's Dr Adrian Jannetta, using the telescope in the Hauxley observatory if skies are clear. Organiser

• Stargazing for Kids

  19:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A two-hour family session learning to find constellations, planets and the Moon's phases, with telescopes, binoculars, real space rocks from the Moon and Mars, and free hot drinks. Children take home activity sheets. Organiser

Sunday 25 October 2026

• Our Moon

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  An evening devoted to the Moon, with craters and mountains through the big telescopes and a chance to photograph it on your phone. If it is cloudy the team use their radio telescope instead. Organiser

Monday 26 October 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

Wednesday 28 October 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

Friday 30 October 2026

• Stargazing for Kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A two-hour family session learning to find constellations, planets and the Moon's phases, with telescopes, binoculars, real space rocks from the Moon and Mars, and free hot drinks. Children take home activity sheets. Organiser

Saturday 31 October 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

• Ready-Set-Rocket! for kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  Children build, decorate and launch their own water-powered rockets and learn how thrust and stability work. Each child needs to bring an empty fizzy drink or sparkling water bottle. Organiser

• Dark Skies Run at Wooler

  19:00 Wooler YHA, Cheviot Street, Wooler

  Night trail races round Humbleton hillfort under dark Cheviot skies: a half marathon starting at 7pm and a 10K run or walk at 7.30pm. Head torch and kit list apply. Organiser

• Stargazing at Lord Crewe Arms

  19:00 Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland

  A guided stargazing evening under the dark skies of the North Pennines at Blanchland. Organiser

• The Dark Cosmos

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  The story of the universe from the Big Bang to today's galaxies, with an explanation of dark matter and dark energy, then observing with the 14-inch telescope and binoculars if the sky is clear. Organiser

Friday 6 November 2026

• Stargazing for Kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A two-hour family session learning to find constellations, planets and the Moon's phases, with telescopes, binoculars, real space rocks from the Moon and Mars, and free hot drinks. Children take home activity sheets. Organiser

Saturday 7 November 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 concessions, family ticket £72 (4 people)

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

Sunday 8 November 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

Friday 13 November 2026

• Ready-Set-Rocket! for kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  Children build, decorate and launch their own water-powered rockets and learn how thrust and stability work. Each child needs to bring an empty fizzy drink or sparkling water bottle. Organiser

• Stargazing in the Garden at Lord Crewe Arms

  19:00 Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland

  A November stargazing session in the garden of the Lord Crewe Arms. Organiser

Saturday 14 November 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

Sunday 15 November 2026

• Astrophotography evening

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £39 adults, £33 concessions

  A talk on photographing the Milky Way, aurora and star trails, then practical shooting under the dark sky if the weather allows. Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens and a tripod; phones can be used too. Organiser

Monday 16 November 2026

• The Dark Cosmos

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  A specialist evening on dark matter, dark energy and the questions cosmology has not yet answered, with telescope observing if the sky is clear and hot drinks included. Organiser

Tuesday 17 November 2026

• Shooting Star Supper: Leonids meteor shower

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £27.50 adults, £24.50 concessions, £75.50 family of four

  Soup and sandwiches in the Battlesteads restaurant, then the observatory to learn where shooting stars come from, handle meteorites and watch for the Leonids. Indoor activities run if it is cloudy. Organiser

Saturday 21 November 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 concessions, family ticket £72 (4 people)

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

• Dark skies: where are the aliens?

  18:00 Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, Low Hauxley · £12 plus booking fee

  Dr Adrian Jannetta leads a stargazing session on the search for life beyond Earth, with the observatory telescope if the sky allows. Organiser

• Stargazing for Kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A two-hour family session learning to find constellations, planets and the Moon's phases, with telescopes, binoculars, real space rocks from the Moon and Mars, and free hot drinks. Children take home activity sheets. Organiser

• The Dark Cosmos

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  The story of the universe from the Big Bang to today's galaxies, with an explanation of dark matter and dark energy, then observing with the 14-inch telescope and binoculars if the sky is clear. Organiser

Sunday 22 November 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

Saturday 28 November 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

Saturday 5 December 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

• Stargazing for Kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A two-hour family session learning to find constellations, planets and the Moon's phases, with telescopes, binoculars, real space rocks from the Moon and Mars, and free hot drinks. Children take home activity sheets. Organiser

• Parade of Planets

  23:15 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A late session to see Mars, Jupiter and Saturn by eye and pick out Uranus and Neptune through high-magnification telescopes. Organiser

Sunday 6 December 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 concessions, family ticket £72 (4 people)

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

Friday 11 December 2026

• Stargazing for Kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A two-hour family session learning to find constellations, planets and the Moon's phases, with telescopes, binoculars, real space rocks from the Moon and Mars, and free hot drinks. Children take home activity sheets. Organiser

Saturday 12 December 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 concessions, family ticket £72 (4 people)

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

Sunday 13 December 2026

• Astrophotography evening

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £39 adults, £33 concessions

  A talk on photographing the Milky Way, aurora and star trails, then practical shooting under the dark sky if the weather allows. Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens and a tripod; phones can be used too. Organiser

• Shooting Star Supper: Geminids meteor shower

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £27.50 adults, £24.50 concessions, £75.50 family of four

  Soup and sandwiches in the Battlesteads restaurant, then the observatory to learn where shooting stars come from, handle meteorites and watch for the Geminids. Indoor activities run if it is cloudy. Organiser

Monday 14 December 2026

• The Dark Cosmos

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  A specialist evening on dark matter, dark energy and the questions cosmology has not yet answered, with telescope observing if the sky is clear and hot drinks included. Organiser

• Shooting Star Supper: Geminids meteor shower

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £27.50 adults, £24.50 concessions, £75.50 family of four

  Soup and sandwiches in the Battlesteads restaurant, then the observatory to learn where shooting stars come from, handle meteorites and watch for the Geminids. Indoor activities run if it is cloudy. Organiser

Friday 18 December 2026

• Cosmology for Beginners

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An introduction to the story of the universe for newcomers, with stargazing through the telescopes if the weather allows, meteorites to handle and tips on astronomy apps. Organiser

Saturday 19 December 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

• Stargazing for Kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A two-hour family session learning to find constellations, planets and the Moon's phases, with telescopes, binoculars, real space rocks from the Moon and Mars, and free hot drinks. Children take home activity sheets. Organiser

Sunday 20 December 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 concessions, family ticket £72 (4 people)

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

Monday 21 December 2026

• Our Celestial Neighbourhood

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £39 adults, £33 concessions (under 16s, over 65s)

  A tour of the solar system from Mercury to Neptune with the observatory's astronomers, meteorites to handle and planets through the telescopes when the sky is clear. Organiser

• Shooting Star Supper: Ursids meteor shower

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £27.50 adults, £24.50 concessions, £75.50 family of four

  Soup and sandwiches in the Battlesteads restaurant, then the observatory to learn where shooting stars come from, handle meteorites and watch for the Ursids. Indoor activities run if it is cloudy. Organiser

Tuesday 22 December 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

Wednesday 23 December 2026

• Our Moon

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  An evening devoted to the Moon, with craters and mountains through the big telescopes and a chance to photograph it on your phone. If it is cloudy the team use their radio telescope instead. Organiser

Monday 28 December 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

Tuesday 29 December 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser