Summer Star Parties Events 2026

This is the page for Star Parties held off campus in the spring and summer with community partners. Events will be held at Lincoln Memorial Garden on April 25 and August 12. Events will be held at the Pittsfield City Lake Campground in Pittsfield, IL on August 8 and August 29.

These events are weather permitting. Information about the weather will be posted the afternoon of the event at the UIS star parties web link and on the phone message at 217-206-8342.

Events at Lincoln Memorial Garden

There will be two events this on the Cawley Meadow at Lincoln Memorial Garden with the Sangamon Astronomical Society as co-hosts.Those Summer Star parties in 2026 are:

April 25 (8:30-10 pm) - Astronomy Day at Lincoln Memorial Garden
- Celebrate Astronomy Day with telescopes on the Cawley Meadow at Lincoln Memorial Garden
- Free. No reservations. May be cancelled for weather.
August 12 (8:30-10 pm) - Perseid Meteor Shower at Lincoln Memorial Garden
- Watch the Perseid Meteor shower and telescopes on the Cawley Meadow at Lincoln Memorial Garden
- Free. No reservations. May be cancelled for weather.

Lincoln Memorial Garden is at 2301 E. Lake Shore Drive in Springfield. Guests should park in the designated spaces off E. Lake Shore Drive. The viewing area is located across the street from the nature center. Attendees are encouraged to bring bug repellent, weather-appropriate clothing and lawn chairs or blankets. The event may be canceled if the sky is cloudy. For updates, call 217-206-8342 after 7 p.m. or check the Lincoln Memorial Garden Facebook page, @UISObservatory on X or UISObservatory.bky.social on BlueSky

Events at New Philadelphia National Historic Site

Because parking is limited at the National Park Service New Philadelphia National Historic Site the summer star gazing events will be held at the Pittsfield City Lake Campground in Pittsfield, IL. Both events will begin before sunset with a National Park Service presentation about the New Philadelphia National Historic Site and stories from the Underground Railroad in Central Illinois built around the theme of the night sky. After dark there will be star gazing and views of the night sky through telescopes. Overnight camping at the Pittsfield City Lake Campground is available on a first come first serve basis. Links to the individual events at the National Park Service web site are given below. The dates for these events are:

August 12 (8:00 pm) - Night Sky Program: Starry Skies and Freedom Stories

August 29 (8:00 pm) - Night Sky Program: Starry Skies and Freedom Stories