Island Star Party invites stargazers to explore night sky in Saanichton
Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Amateur astronomers and curious stargazers will have the chance to explore the night sky during the 2026 Island Star Party, taking place Aug. 7 to 9 at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church (7921 St Stephens Rd.) in Saanichton.
Hosted by the Victoria Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC), the event will bring together astronomy enthusiasts and members of the public for two nights of celestial observation.
Visitors can drop in for free to take part in evening telescope viewing, speak with amateur astronomers and learn more about the objects visible in the night sky. Those interested can also camp overnight for one or two nights. Overnight campers are asked to make a suggested donation of $20 per adult observer, while children can camp for free.
“We’ll enjoy the night sky together. Bring your telescope if you like. There will be many for you to look through,” said Island Star Party coordinator Randy Enkin. “And for those who don’t know where to start, we’ll show you around.”
The event will feature afternoon and evening activities, including telescope walks, expert presentations and door prizes, including a chance to win a telescope.
On Friday evening, University of Victoria professor Deborah Lokhorst will present a talk on the MOTHRA telephoto array, a telescope system designed with more than 1,000 lenses to study galaxy formation and evolution.
On Saturday, James Di Francesco, director of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, will discuss the next generation of very large optical telescopes.
Organizers recommend visitors who plan to stay after dark bring a red light and avoid using white lights, including cellphone flashes, to preserve night vision for observers.
The Island Star Party is open to astronomers and the general public. The event is supported by the RASC Victoria Centre, which promotes astronomy education and public engagement in the region.
For more information, visit victoria.rasc.ca/island-star-party-2026.