Boreal Stargazing Week

FEBRUARY 10-17, 2025

A WEEK OF DISCOVERY, STARGAZING, AND NIGHTTIME WONDER

For generations, humans have looked to the stars for inspiration and connection. Located along the Minnesota-Canadian border is a rare sanctuary for starry skies. Voyageurs National Park and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota make up one of the largest Dark Sky Regions in the world.

Boreal Stargazing programs are brought to you by Voyageurs Conservancy, Friends of the Boundary Waters, Starry Skies North, the National Park Service, Superior National Forest, Expeditions in Education, Polar Polers Ski Club, the Wood Lake Nature Center, and The Bell Museum.

Why are we celebrating?

The Boreal Stargazing Week celebrates the importance of dark skies in Minnesota by welcoming the public to a series of virtual school programs and community events. Enjoy snowshoeing and skiing, telescope sessions, live conversations with astronomers, and more!

Check out this year’s schedule of community and educational events, and get excited for what’s to come! Community programs will take place across the state – from Voyageurs National Park to the Boundary Waters to the Twin Cities. Virtual education programming is also available to classrooms nationwide. Students will explore the significance of protected Dark Sky Regions, the natural and cultural importance of the night sky, and how we can help protect them.

Teachers, our theme this year is "Dark Skies and Nocturnal Animals" – join us for presentations that bring the world of nighttime creatures to your students! When you sign up at the link below, your classroom will receive FREE live virtual programs from dark-sky experts.

2025 COMMUNITY PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Kickoff Event! Twin Cities: Dark Sky Party
Wood Lake Nature Center
Friday, January 31st, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Register here
Look for constellations, hear stories, and enjoy the night. Local groups will be present to share how our night sky has been lost to light pollution, and simple things to do to bring back the night. All ages are welcome.
Grand Rapids: Youth Galaxy!
Grand Rapids Area Library
Wednesday, Feb. 12th 3:00 – 4:00 PM
After school ends, team up with the After school ends, team up with the Bell Museum for interactive astronomy activities and discover the beauty of our winter night skies. Explore how your individual passions can pave the way for a future in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics at the University of Minnesota. Sign Up at the Children’s Desk. Pre-registration is required.
Coleraine: Teen Science Galaxy!
Coleraine Library: 203 Cole St, Coleraine MN
Tuesday, February 11th, 3:15 – 4:15 PM
Register here
After school ends, team up with the Bell Museum for interactive astronomy activities and discover the beauty of our winter night skies. Explore how your individual passions can pave the way for a future in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics at the University of Minnesota.
Cohasset: Full Moon Night Hike
26000 Blackwater Road, Cohasset MN
Wednesday, February 12th, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Embrace the winter darkness and discover the magic of Minnesota’s starbright skies! Join the City of Cohasset, Bell Museum and Voyageurs Conservancy in celebration of Boreal Stargazing Week. We will start the hike with a short presentation led by Bell Museum Educators about the importance of preserving our dark skies while we take in views of stars, planets and the Moon through telescopes (weather permitting) . Bring a headlamp, dress accordingly and wear sturdy footwear.
No registration needed, learn more here!
Ely: Dark Sky Documentary Showings
Friends of the BWCA office: 8 E. Sheridan St.
Friday, February 14th, 12:30 – 4:00 PM
Dark sky documentaries will be playing throughout the afternoon in the Friends of the Boundary Waters Office in Ely. Come and go as you please. Snacks will be provided.
Ely: Snowshoe Hike
Bass Lake Trailhead
Friday, February 14th, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Enjoy the magic of a winter’s night this Valentine’s Day with an interpretive snowshoe hike at the Bass Lake Trail. Bring your own snowshoes and a headlamp, and dress appropriately for the weather.
No registration needed – meet at the trailhead.
Voyageurs National Park: Ski with the Polar Polers Ski Club
Voyageurs National Park: Black Bay Trailhead
Saturday, February 15th, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
XC ski with Park Rangers and members of the Polar Polers Nordic Ski Club – all ages and abilities welcome!
Bring your own skis or if you’re new to the sport, the park’s XC rental equipment from Rainy Lake Visitor Center is free to use at this special event while supplies last (first come first serve). Winter Recreation Equipment Rental Reservations can be made throughout the season here: Winter Eq Rentals - Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
No registration needed – meet at the trailhead.
Voyageurs National Park: Telescope Night Sky Viewing
Voyageurs National Park: Black Bay Trailhead
Saturday, February 15th, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
After our ski with the Polar Polers, stay for a campfire at 6 pm and Telescope Night Sky Viewing Opportunity at the Black Bay Beaver Pond from 6:30 - 8 pm. (a short half mile hike, snowshoe, or ski)!
No registration needed – meet at the trailhead.
Duluth: Evening Snowshoe
Hartley Nature Center
Saturday, February 15th, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Register here
Snowshoe and stargaze on the snowy trails of Hartley Nature Area and hear Ojibwe star stories from Jim Rock, former Director of Indigenous Programming for the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium.
Bring your own snowshoes if you have them!
Twin Cities: Bell Museum Space Fest
Bell Museum
Saturday, February 15th and Sunday, February 16th, 10:00 – 4:00 PM
Catch up with Voyageurs Conservancy, Friends of the Boundary Waters and Starry Skies North during Space Fest at the Bell Museum and learn about what makes Minnesota’s dark skies special.
No registration needed.

2025 K-12 STUDENT PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Bring your students out of their desk and into the largest International Dark Sky Region in the world – right here in Minnesota! By participating in Boreal Stargazing Week, your classroom will receive FREE live virtual programs on the wonders of dark skies with special speakers from the National Park Service, Expeditions in Education, and more! Students will learn about protected Dark Sky Regions, the natural and cultural importance of the night sky, and how we can protect them.

Who can participate? Boreal Stargazing Week Programs are available and free to be live-streamed for K-12 classrooms across the country. Teachers will also receive the recorded sessions if they cannot attend live.

K-12 Program Registration

Winter Night Skies & The Aurora Borealis
Monday, February 10th, 12pm CT, Live Virtual Program
While winter months may bring freezing temperatures, there are advantages to experiencing the night sky during this time of year! Join Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky enthusiast, Jesse Gates, as we explore the wonders of the winter night sky and learn about why the rare and beautiful phenomenon of the aurora borealis may be best viewed in the year 2025.
Livestream with Expeditions in Education: Tracks in the Snow & Stars Above
Tuesday, February 11th, 12pm CT, Live Virtual Program
Grades K-8
Join us for an exciting journey into the snowy, star-filled nights of Voyageurs National Park, where we’ll uncover the secrets of nocturnal animal behavior and the importance of dark skies. From tracking wildlife in the snow to exploring the unique challenges of winter nights in northern Minnesota, this livestream offers a glimpse into the wonders of life after dark.
Owl Detectives Program with the International Owl Center
Thursday, February 13th, 12pm CT, Live Virtual Program
Join the International Owl Center to find out whooo's in your backyard! Learn more about the traits of these nocturnal animals and why dark skies are important to them. Discover how to identify the more common owls of the Eastern U.S. by size, shape, sound, and silhouette, with an emphasis on the sounds they make.

Last year’s Boreal Stargazing Week attracted 40,000+ students from around the country, including classrooms in Maryland, Minnesota, California, Florida, Tennessee, and New Mexico! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to immerse your classroom in Minnesota’s starbright skies and get your students interested in the fascinating world of astronomy.