Calendar and Events
Special Events
| AT THE OBSERVATORY... | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| September 18 9:00 a.m. |
2018-2019 School Program Reservations begin | |
|
| September 19 7:20 – 8:20 p.m. |
Sunset Walk & Talk | Free Admission |
|
| September 22 2:00 – 9:45 p.m. |
Public Star Party | Free Admission |
|
| September 22 Local noon (12:40 p.m.) and sunset (6:35 p.m.) |
Fall Equinox Events | Free Admission |
|
| October 5 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. |
All Space Considered | Free Admission |
|
| October 8 |
Columbus Day | BUILDING CLOSED |
|
| October 17 7:20 – 8:20 p.m. |
Sunset Walk & Talk | Free Admission |
|
| October 20 2:00 – 9:45 p.m. |
Public Star Party | Free Admission |
|
| IN THE SKY... | |
|---|---|
| September 16 and 17 | Moon near Saturn. |
| September 19 | Moon above Mars. |
| September 21 | Venus at its brightest. |
| September 22 | Autumn starts at 6:54 p.m., PDT. |
| October 8 | Possible Draconid meteors visible in early evening. |
| October 11 | Moon near Jupiter. |
| October 14 | Moon above Saturn. |
| October 17 | Moon near Mars. |
| October 20 | Orionid meteor shower before dawn. |
| More sky information can be found at | |
| Griffith Observatory's Weekly Sky Report | |
| All times are local Pacific Daylight Time through November 4. On November 5 and thereafter all times are local Pacific Standard Time. | |
| EXPLORING SPACE... | |
|---|---|
| September 15 | NASA’s ICESat 2 polar ice monitoring mission is to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, on the last United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket, a type of rocket that first saw service in 1989. The launch may be visible in the sky to the west of Los Angeles. Time: 5:46-6:26 a.m., PDT |
| October 7 | A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch Argentina’s SAOCOM 1-A communication satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The launch may be visible in the sky to the west of Los Angeles. Time: TBD |
Regular Programs
Griffith Observatory presents daily programs in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium and Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater.
The Observatory also hosts periodic special events and monthly public star parties.
Hearing assist devices are available upon request in both the Samuel Oschin Planetarium and the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon.
2018 Holiday Schedule
| New Year's Day (Jan. 1) | CLOSED |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Jan. 15) | CLOSED |
| Presidents' Day (Feb. 19) | CLOSED |
| Cesar Chavez Day (Mar. 26) | CLOSED |
| Memorial Day (May 28) | CLOSED |
| Independence Day (Jul. 4) | OPEN |
| Labor Day (Sept. 3) | CLOSED |
| Columbus Day (Oct. 8) | CLOSED |
| Veteran's Day (Nov. 11) | OPEN |
| Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22) | CLOSED |
| Christmas Day (Dec. 25) | CLOSED |
Note: Phone operators are not available on closed holidays.
Free public telescopes...
are available each evening the Observatory is open and skies are clear. Knowledgeable telescope demonstrators are available to guide visitors in observing. Please be aware that the demonstrators must cut off the line for each telescope by 9:30 p.m. or earlier to enable all viewing to be completed by 9:45 p.m. Hours for telescope operation are not the same as for the building (which closes at 10:00 p.m.).
Phone Contacts
General Information Line: 213-473-0800
L.A. City's "311" Information Line: 866-4LACITY
Those wishing to attend programs at Griffith Observatory may reach the Observatory by bus, bike, car, or on foot. For more information see our Getting Here page.
Please be advised that parking is limited and not guaranteed. Demand for parking is highest on weekends, holidays, and Greek Theatre show nights.