At a Glance
- A sci-fi sound bath, “Deep Flights,” lands at Sierra Madre Playhouse on February 13 with two sessions at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
- Discovery Cube OC hosts Solar System Encounter through February 22, featuring colossal planets and James Webb Telescope imagery.
- Griffith Observatory unveils its first major exhibit in 19 years, the 800-pound Celestial Globe, on January 27.
- Death Valley National Park’s Dark Sky Fest runs February 6-8, offering day-and-night stargazing activities.
Why it matters: Southern California becomes a cosmic playground, letting residents touch outer space without leaving the ground.
Southern California’s first weeks of 2026 feel astronomically alive as three immersive experiences invite residents to roam among planets, glide through sonic starfields, and celebrate the darkest skies in the lower 48.
Sound Bath Sends Listeners to the Stars
On the night before Valentine’s Day, the Sierra Madre Playhouse transforms into a sonic starship. Composers Chuck Jonkey and Stephen James Taylor will pilot “Deep Flights,” a cinematic sound bath promising “long tones, resonant drones, and layered harmonics” designed to create “a sound field that invites stillness, introspection, and transcendence.”
Guests may bring yoga mats for the 60-minute voyages. Two after-sunset sessions begin at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $30 and on sale now.
Walk Among Giants at Discovery Cube OC
Through February 22, the Santa Ana science center devotes an entire gallery to Solar System Encounter. The room overflows with “colossal” planets, a blazing sun, and a glowing moon, letting visitors stride past Mars and Mercury without a rocket ship.
Real imagery from the James Webb Telescope heightens the realism. Museum admission covers the exhibit; details and tickets are posted on the Cube’s site.
Griffith Observatory Debuts 19-Year First
On January 27, the landmark planetarium unveils its first major addition since 2007: the Celestial Globe. The 800-pound bronze sphere, etched with dozens of classical constellations, hovers in Gravity’s Stairway, a new alcove off the main rotunda.
Observatory entry remains free. Designer Cindy Ingraham Keefer crafted the ethereal artwork to let guests trace Orion, Andromeda, and other star patterns with their fingertips.
Death Valley Dark Sky Fest Returns
From February 6-8, the national park renowned for the lowest light pollution in the contiguous United States hosts its annual Dark Sky Fest. Rangers, astronomers, and astro-photographers lead daytime solar viewings, sunset planet spotting, and late-night telescope tours.
Campgrounds and park lodges fill quickly; reservations open through recreation.gov.
Key Takeaways
- Three distinct space-themed events-sound bath, walk-through solar system, and dark-sky festival-arrive within weeks.
- All experiences are family-friendly and require no prior astronomy knowledge.
- Tickets for the sound bath and Cube exhibit are available online; Griffith and Death Valley events are free aside from park fees.
