Help us to celebrate our world-class dark sky at the annual Cook County Dark Sky Festival on December 12-14, 2024. Cook County, Minnesota is home to one of the darkest skies in the world. Every year, explorers, adventurers, artists and photographers from around the world travel here to experience the northern lights and night sky. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), a highlight of our region, has been named as one of only 17 certified International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world! And at over a million acres, it is the largest sanctuary, offering unparalleled opportunities for stargazing and night sky photography.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with nature, learn from experts, and immerse yourself in the beauty of Cook County’s dark skies. Help us celebrate and preserve this incredible natural resource at the Blue-Sky Festival!

For more details and a full schedule of events, visit the official Cook County Dark Sky Festival website.

No tickets required for presentations or activities unless listed in description.

Experience a variety of events and activities. From guided night hikes and astrophotography workshops to engaging presentations and art installations, there’s something for everyone. This year’s festival will feature:

History and Inspiration of the Dark Sky Festival

The Dark Sky Festival in Cook County, also known as the Blue Sky Festival, began in 2018. It was inspired by the region’s exceptionally dark skies, which are among the best in the world for stargazing. The festival aims to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of preserving dark skies, which are crucial for both human health and wildlife.

Dark Sky Festival Events and Venues

The festival features a variety of events spread across different venues in Cook County. Here are some highlights for this year’s festival:

About half the Blue Sky Festival events are ‘in’ Grand Marais. The Gunflint Lodge venue of most of the other events is 45 miles north of Grand Marais.

The address for the Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters venue, even map locators on some web results show it ‘in’ Grand Marais. While the address (143 S Gunflint Lake, Grand Marais, MN 55604) lists Grand Marais, the lodge is actually about 45 miles north of the town of Grand Marais, situated on the south shore of Gunflint Lake along the Gunflint Trail. This can be a bit confusing since the mailing address is Grand Marais, but the physical location is quite a distance away from the town itself. Keep this in mind when reserving your lodging.

The festival also includes ongoing activities like telescope viewing, night vision opportunities, and documentary screenings.

Thursday, December 12:

Friday, December 13:

Saturday, December 14:

Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Cook County Dark Sky Festival in December. Be sure to make the Best Western Plus Superior Inn in Grand Marais, Minnesota your Festival HQ.

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