International Dark Sky Week 2026: How to get involved!
International Dark Sky Week (April 13-20, 2026) is a global celebration of the night. From the darkness that supports a restful night’s sleep to the wonder we experience beneath starry skies, the night plays a vital role in our wellness, the well-being of wildlife, scientific discovery, cultural heritage, and more. Yet with the rapid rise of light pollution, we risk losing the natural night we depend on. The time to act is now!
Join the celebration by taking meaningful action to protect the night—whether it’s working with your local government or simply signing the online pledge, there are easy ways for anyone, anywhere to get involved, including an exceptional lineup of speakers offering virtual sessions!
Join a virtual session to explore the wonders of the night and discover real-world solutions to protect it. View speaker lineup →
Request a proclamation to spark community awareness and show official support for protecting the night. Learn more →
Join Globe at Night and help track light pollution by measuring your night sky and submitting your observations. Get involved →
Sign the DarkSky Pledge and show your commitment to preserving dark skies—help us reach 10,000 pledges! Take the pledge →
Host an event in your area to connect with others and celebrate the night. Tell us about your planned event →
Virtual events and sessions
Why place matters: The impact of Lapalala Wilderness Nature Reserve as the 250th Dark Sky Place
Date: April 13, 2026
Time: 6:00 a.m. PDT
Location: Virtual Zoom meeting
What makes an International Dark Sky Place more than a designation? In this webinar, hear the story of DarkSky’s 250th International Dark Sky Place, Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, and explore why these places play a critical role in protecting darkness, inspiring stewardship, and building lasting community support for the night sky. The session will also cover the designation process and ways advocates can help grow the movement locally and globally.
Dark brews for dark skies
Date: April 15, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. PDT
Location: Virtual Zoom meeting
Celebrate International Dark Sky Week with a panel of masters across the worlds of beer, wine, tea, and coffee! Explore the historical ties between the night sky and the dark brews we love.
Our speakers from Tap & Bottle, Mt. Cook Lakeside Retreat, One River Tea, and Night Sky Coffee will share why darkness matters in their craft, how nighttime inspiration helps raise awareness for protecting the night, and how these unique brews bring communities together in support of dark skies.
Protecting the night, one field at a time: DarkSky Approved Sports Lighting
Date: April 18, 2026
Time: 7:00 a.m. PDT
Location: Virtual Zoom meeting
Join us for an in-depth session featuring the faculty from Université Sainte‑Anne and DarkSky staff. As the first university track and soccer field outside the United States to participate in the DarkSky Approved Sports Lighting program, the university offers a unique global perspective on balancing community athletics with nocturnal conservation.
During this session, the Université Sainte‑Anne team will share the journey, while the DarkSky Approved team will talk more about the Sports Lighting program and how you can help bring responsible, night-friendly lighting to fields and communities near you.
Q&A and networking will follow the presentations.
Discovering the dark skies of the Americas through a journey of astrophotographic exploration
Date: April 20, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. PDT
Location: Virtual Zoom meeting
Join us for an inspiring webinar with the creator of Estrellas Ancestrales: Monumentos y Sitios Sagrados de los Mayas en Guatemala, Sergio Montúfar.
Drawing from his extensive work as a DarkSky leader and advocate, he will share insights from his multi-faceted efforts to protect the night across the Americas.
Throughout the session, he will explore how the intersection of astrophotography, creative storytelling, and large-scale conservation creates new pathways for dark sky advocacy. Discover the diverse ways he works to safeguard the nocturnal environment and how these global strategies can inspire protection for the night in any community.
Q&A and networking will follow the presentations.
