In the heart of winter, when the days feel short and the cold lingers, Minnesota offers a rare reminder to slow down and look up. From Feb. 9-15, Boreal Stargazing Week returns with a statewide lineup of stargazing events, outdoor adventures, and free educational programming—celebrating one of the largest dark sky regions on the planet, right here along Minnesota’s northern edge.
Co-led by Voyageurs Conservancy and Friends of the Boundary Waters, the annual celebration highlights the remarkable night skies above Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness—together forming one of the world’s most expansive dark sky regions. This year’s theme, “Art of the Night Sky,” explores how science, creativity, and conservation intersect under the stars.
Courtesy of Voyageurs Conservancy
A Week of Winter Wonder—Across the State
Boreal Stargazing Week brings astronomy out of textbooks and into the landscape, with in-person events ranging from guided night hikes and snowshoe outings to telescope demonstrations, astrophotography sessions, and candlelit winter experiences. Programs stretch from northern Minnesota to the Twin Cities, inviting people of all ages to experience the night sky in ways that feel both grounding and inspiring.
Events take place in settings as varied as state parks, nature centers, museums, planetariums, and community spaces—offering something for seasoned stargazers and first-time sky-watchers alike. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day ski beneath the stars, a family-friendly space festival, or an art-and-astronomy talk, the goal is simple: reconnect people with the night sky and the places that protect it.
“Minnesota’s dark skies are celebrated for their beauty, wildlife and ecosystem value, and Boreal Stargazing Week turns them into a space for learning, storytelling, and shared stewardship,” says Christina Hausman Rhode, executive director of Voyageurs Conservancy. “At a time when communities across our state are carrying a great deal, the night sky offers a chance for solace—an opportunity to pause, look up, and reconnect.”
Bringing the Night Sky Into Classrooms Nationwide
Beyond community events, Boreal Stargazing Week has become a powerful educational platform. Free, livestreamed programming for K-12 classrooms reaches tens of thousands of students nationwide each year, connecting young learners to dark sky science, Indigenous perspectives, and conservation efforts. Led by National Park Service experts and partners, sessions explore winter constellations, the northern lights, and the cultural significance of dark skies—while encouraging students to think about how night skies can be protected closer to home.
Courtesy of Voyageurs Conservancy
Why Dark Skies Matter
Dark sky regions are more than a backdrop for beauty. They support wildlife, preserve ecosystems, and offer increasingly rare opportunities for humans to experience true night. In a world of growing light pollution, Minnesota’s boreal landscapes stand out as places where darkness still holds meaning—and Boreal Stargazing Week invites people to experience that firsthand.
Whether you join a guided outing, tune into a virtual classroom session, or simply step outside on a clear February night, Boreal Stargazing Week offers a timely reminder: sometimes the most expansive experiences begin by looking up.
A full schedule of events and registration details can be found through Voyageurs Conservancy and Friends of the Boundary Waters during Boreal Stargazing Week, Feb. 9-15.
