Dark Sky Festival - 2026
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September 3 to 6, 2026
Registration deadline: Sept 2 at 6:00 pm
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DSF Quick Links
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Keynote Speaker
Laurie Rousseau-Nepton, PhD. (she/her)
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Proudly Innu – Renowned Astronomer !
As an astronomer and a storyteller of the sky, Rousseau-Nepton sees her work as a continuation of a lineage that stretches from her ancestors who watched the stars to the cutting-edge observatories where she deciphers the light of distant galaxies. For her, science and ancestral knowledge are complementary ways of understanding the universe. She studies the formation of stars – their birth, evolution and legacy – drawing parallels to our ancestors and ourselves. Stars don’t just disappear, she explains. When they reach the end of their life cycle, they enrich the universe by chemically transforming it and creating the heavier elements essential for life. Over billions of years, this cycle has led to the creation of stars like our sun, the planets that orbit them and, ultimately, everything we know. “We come from the stars and return to them,” says Rousseau-Nepton, reflecting on the Innu belief. Realizing how closely this saying aligns with astrophysics felt like a revelation. |
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Special Workshop Host
Roland Dechesne, astronomer extraordinaire
Roland Dechesne, FRASC, is a Past President of the Calgary Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and an amateur astronomer with over 40 years’ experience. He has been a popularizer of astronomy to the public for much of that time.
His interests are astrophotography, meteorites and light pollution abatement. He ‘moonlights’ as an oil and gas geologist during the day. He was recently honoured by having asteroid #10087 named for him. Thebacha & Wood Buffalo Dark Sky Festival The organizers of the annual Dark Sky Festival continue to actively work on putting new ideas and activities into event plans to deliver an exciting 2026 Dark Sky Festival. Check our site regularly for further updates ! Dark Sky Festival Registration Fees
Full Event Pass
Adults $ 100.00 per person Youth 60.00 per youth (under 16 yrs) Day Pass Day (date) Adult / day Youth / day Thu (3rd) $ 30.00 $ 20.00 Fri (4th) 30.00 20.00 Sat (5th) 35.00 25.00 Sun (6th) 30.00 20.00 Dark Sky FestivalThe 2026 Dark Sky Festival will retain our modified format. It is a multi-day event - hosted this year during 1st weekend of September in Fort Smith. There will also be opportunities for excursions to the world's largest dark sky preserve - Wood Buffalo National Park.
Join us for an exciting multi-day journey of exploring the wonders of our universe and the sciences that makes it all work. Our program offers a variety of afternoon activities and workshops for all members of the family and then it continues with evening events, including opportunities for some casual socializing. The day, or should we say night, is wrapped up with viewing our pristine northern skies, and with some luck, an aurora borealis display. Come and explore the universe and enjoy our northern hospitality! |
DSF - Speaker + Workshop Host Sponsor
Information Links (3rd party sites)
Where Are We ?
Ursa Major Sponsors
Festival Format
Afternoon Youth Activities
Our afternoon programs features hands-on activities such s a STEM Science Lab and a Science Fair. As well, we have a cosmic crafts table, games and a range of other energy burning exploits. For older kids, the program includes STEM projects and experiments. TAWBAS Presentations series These are afternoon experiences are presented as casual seminars, workshops and presentations for those wanting to expand their understanding of astronomy, science and space. Keynote Speaker Presentation Entertainment and education combined to provide engaging and informative session or presentation by our featured keynote speakers. Interactive Hikes For a breathe of fresh-air - the strolls or hikes are offered as an opportunity for you take a casual interpretive trek with our guide as we explore the scale, features and characteristic of our universe in an outdoor setting. |
From Festivals past
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Contact Us
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Thebacha & Wood Buffalo Astronomical Society
PO Box 1354 Fort Smith, NT X0E 0P0 Telephone: 1-867-872-0243 Email: [email protected] |
Wood Buffalo National Park
PO Box 790 Fort Smith, NT X0E 0P0 Telephone: 1-867-872-7960 Email: [email protected] |
Town of Fort Smith
PO Box 147 Fort Smith, NT X0E 0P0 Telephone: 1-867-872-8400 Email: [email protected] |
Updated: 31 August 2026