Three Star Dark Sky Festival

Huu-ay-aht First Nation's Three Star Dark Sky Festival provides deep connections to nature and culture, through events that share Indigenous knowledge as it relates to the night sky above and the earth below. 

Festival Dates: -
Location: Bamfield
Tickets: http://www.threestarsfest.com/

Three Star Dark Sky Festival on Social Media

From May 8-10, a weekend of dark sky exploration unfolds in Bamfield, BC, within Huu-ay-aht First Nations homelands. 

Here is your event invitation from your hosts with Huu-ay-aht First Nation: "Join us on the edge of the Pacific at Pachena Beach in Huu-ay-aht territory for the Three Stars Dark Sky Festival. 

Based in the villages of Anacla and Bamfield, this gathering brings together Indigenous knowledge and western science to explore our connection to the cosmos through storytelling, art, and astronomy."

Festival program 

The festival runs May 8-10, 2026, with events including traditional storytelling, stargazing with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, astronomy presentations, music and more.

Read more about the Huu-ay-aht connection to the night sky, and the festival experience in this feature on ZenSeekers.com.


Friday May 8
 

19:15-21:00  Moons, Tides, and Ocean Cycles: a conversation with Astrophysicist Spencer Bialek, hosted by Niki Wilson (60 min)
Location: Pachena Bay Campground 
Explore the physical connection between celestial cycles and coastal life, including the Moon–tide system, seasonal sky changes, and how gravitational astronomy shapes intertidal ecosystems. Followed by a 45-min Q&A.

 

21:00-23:00  Night Sky Photography Workshop
Location: Pachena Bay Campground 
Astronomer and astro-photographer Michael Rymer leads a hands-on workshop exploring techniques for capturing stars, constellations, and the Milky Way using your smartphone. Learn how to work with low light and transform the night sky into striking images.

 
22:00 Stargazing Experience
Location: Pachena Bay Campground 
Spencer Bialek, astrophysicist, will have his telescope on site, offering guests the chance to experience the night sky through the lens of both cutting-edge science and deep curiosity. With a PhD in astrophysics and a background in astronomical imaging and data science, Spencer brings a unique perspective that connects what we see above with the forces shaping our universe.
 
Stargazing events and astronomy presentations will run alongside Indigenous knowledge sharing.

Saturday, May 9

 
10:00-11:30  Pathways: Between Land & Sky
Location: House of Huu-ay-aht (Community Center), Anacla 12, Bamfield BC
Featuring a 30-minute presentation by Stephanie Picard of Cliff Valley Astronomy, and a 60-minute Planetarium show.

11:00 - 14:00  RASC Solar Gazing begins 
11:30 Compelled to Propel: Spencer Bialek Presentation (30 min)
Hear astrophysicist Spencer Bialek talk about current and proposed propulsion technologies, from chemical rockets to magnetoplasma drives and speculative concepts, exploring humanity’s drive to travel beyond Earth.
12:00 Planetarium Show (60 min)
21:00  Stargazing Experience
Location: Pachena Bay Campground (exact location TBC by Longshot)
 

Sunday, May 10

 
10:00-11:30  Pathways: Between Land & Sky
Location: House of Huu-ay-aht (Community Center), Anacla 12, Bamfield BC
Michael Rymer presentation (30 min) and planetarium show (60 min).
11:00-14:00  RASC Solar Gazing begins (outdoors - or telescope show and tell indoors if cloudy)
11:30  Aquaculture Talk: Clay Steell / Morgan Ursel chat, interviewed by Niki Wilson (30 min)
12:00  Planetarium Show (60 min)
 

Tickets  

Your ticket is a community-supported contribution that helps make this unique cultural and educational event possible.

Weekend pass  $40/person (general admission) 
Camping and lodging packages will also be available $TBD 

Purchase tickets via threestardarkskyfestival.com.

More info

Get more festival info via the festival website.

For a preview of the experience, with more about Bamfield and the local Huu-ay-aht culture, read this new feature on ZenSeekers.com.

Tags

Bamfield Vancouver Island British Columbia