Planetarium Shows
◆ Please read "What to Expect" for each of our 3 Planetarium Show formats to understand and anticipate the details of each experience.
◆ All participants age 3+ require a ticketed seat. Toddlers 2 & under may attend free if seated on a lap.
◆ Please arrive at the Astronomy Center Lunar Lobby at least 15-20 minutes before showtime with your e-tickets ready to scan
◆ Doors close promptly at showtime and will not be re-opened for latecomers*.
◆ All shows are 45 minutes unless otherwise indicated.
◆ Please note: Planetarium shows may feel overwhelming for some visitors. The immersive dome environment—bright lights, dynamic sound, and large-scale motion—can be intense for sensitive viewers. *You may exit the Planetarium during the show, but will not be permitted re-entry.
◆ ABOUT DAYTIME SHOWS & DAILY ADMISSION TO OUR SITE: When purchasing planetarium show tickets online for a daytime show, ticket prices include Daily Admission to the rest of the SM&NC (including the grounds, farm, and galleries). When purchasing tickets in-person at the SM&NC, Daily Admission is required to enter the property and planetarium show tickets may be added on at the Astronomy Center. SM&NC Members receive free Daily Admission and discounted planetarium show tickets. We encourage you to maximize your admission by spending the day with us, fully enjoying everything our magical site has to offer.
◆ ABOUT EVENING SHOWS: During evening planetarium programs, the Astronomy Center is the only building on our property open to the public. The rest of the SM&NC grounds are closed in the evening.
◆ Family Premium/Plus Members: If you will be using a Guest Pass to admit any ticket holders, you may purchase their tickets at the Member rate.
We recommend becoming an SM&NC Member to maximize your budget for this experience and Planetarium Shows year-round. Click the arrow or + below for details and a special offer on Membership.
Live Planetarium Shows
Narrated Explorations through Space
WHAT TO EXPECT: The classic Planetarium experience. These Astronomer-led planetarium shows take you on a journey through space with a focus on the night sky, constellations, our solar system, and other space objects in brilliant, high-definition resolution.
Stamford Skies
Our Signature LIVE Planetarium Show
◆ Fridays at 3 & 7 PM
◆ Sat & Sun at 1 PM
◆ Wed & Thu at 3 PM
All Ages, 45 mins
3 PM SHOWS
SM&NC Members: $8/seat
Non-Members: $12/seat + Daily Admission
7 PM FRIDAY NIGHTS
SM&NC Members: $12/seat
Non-Members: $15/seat
Our signature, ever-evolving, interactive astronomer-led live show — shaped by real-time celestial events and guided by audience questions. Take a tour through our galaxy as our astronomers answer anything you’ve ever wondered about the universe.
Please Note: Friday Night Tickets to this show include access to our Observatory at 8 PM after the show for a look at the night sky, weather permitting.
Stamford Skies
All Ages, 45 mins
3 PM SHOWS
SM&NC Members: $8/seat
Non-Members: $12/seat + Daily Admission
7 PM FRIDAY NIGHTS
SM&NC Members: $12/seat
Non-Members: $15/seat
Our signature, ever-evolving, interactive astronomer-led live show — shaped by real-time celestial events and guided by audience questions. Take a tour through our galaxy as our astronomers answer anything you’ve ever wondered about the universe.
Please Note: Friday Night Tickets to this show include access to our Observatory at 8 PM after the show for a look at the night sky, weather permitting.
Laser Shows
Immersive Laser Light Experience
WHAT TO EXPECT: Step inside and be dazzled by a high-definition fusion of music, color and motion. Precision-engineered laser effects sweep across the Planetarium in a mesmerizing display that surrounds you from every angle—an unforgettable multi-sensory experience.
Dark Side of The Moon
Ages: Teens & Up, 45 mins
SM&NC Members: $12/seat
Non-Members: $15/seat
A transcendent fusion of Pink Floyd’s legendary Dark Side of the Moon with choreographed full-dome laser design. Immerse yourself in a 45-minute journey of sound and light as the album's timeless themes unfold in a cascade of color and motion for a mesmerizing audiovisual journey unlike any other.
Please Note: Tickets to this show include access to our Observatory before the show at 8 PM for a look at the night sky, weather permitting.
Holiday Laser Spectacular
All Ages, 45 mins
SM&NC Members: $8/seat
Non-Members: $12/seat + Daily Admission
Celebrate the season with a dazzling laser show set to your favorite festive music! Watch colorful beams and patterns dance across the planetarium dome, bringing holiday tunes to life in a mesmerizing visual experience for the whole family.
FullDome Cinematic Shows
Breathtaking 360° Experiences
WHAT TO EXPECT: An advanced cinematic format that envelops viewers in seamless, 360° visuals for a truly immersive "Sphere-like" experience. These shows blend ultra-high-resolution digital projection with spatial sound to create an omnidirectional panoramic storytelling environment that’s both educational and transportive.
One World, One Sky
All Ages, 45 mins
SM&NC Members: $8/seat
Non-Members: $12/seat + Daily Admission
Sesame Street's Elmo, Big Bird, and their friend Hu Hu Zhu teach the audience about the sun, stars, and the big dipper. They help us discover that no matter where we live, we all see the same sky.
Magic Globe
Ages 5+, 45 mins
SM&NC Members: $8/seat
Non-Members: $12/seat + Daily Admission
Explore the science of the seasons! A young girl discovers a piece of astronomical machinery and learns the importance of the earth’s tilt and the seasons it causes.
Natural Selection
Ages 8+, 45 mins
SM&NC Members: $8/seat
Non-Members: $12/seat + Daily Admission
Experience the thrill of a scientific discovery, the adventure of science and the beauty of nature. Celebrate the groundbreaking work of Charles Darwin in this special show marking the 150th anniversary of On the Origin of Species and the 200th anniversary of his birth. Join Darwin on his defining voyage upon the HMS Beagle to the Galapagos Islands, and witness the power of evolution as life adapts, survives and thrives.
Messengers of Time & Space
Ages 8+, 45 mins
SM&NC Members: $8/seat
Non-Members: $12/seat + Daily Admission
Explore the many ways we measure the universe and the diverse “messengers” we use to collect data. Journey across the globe to visit cutting-edge ground-based observatories, including Gemini, LIGO, and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory — a flagship U.S. ground‑based observatory and one of the newest and most advanced astronomical facilities in the world.
