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  • A Music of the Spheres concert in the main building at Lick Observatory. Photo by Mike Bolte.

2021 Summer Series Canceled
After much consideration, and the complex issues of health and safety for the public, staff, and volunteers of our Lick Observatory community, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year's Summer Series events.

In the meantime, Public Evening Tours and Photography Nights will resume in August.

Update July 2021: Tickets for the initial series of events sold out in record time. Due to popular demand, we have created a second series of Public Evening Tour events. Tickets go on sale July 30th at Noon at ucsctickets.com. Friends of Lick Observatory members can purchase tickets via the pre-sale starting at noon on July 23rd.

Sign up to receive email communication about our events resumption and virtual programming by emailing social@ucolick.org.


Get closer to the stars.

Update 2021 June 29: Due to the COVID-19 situation and SCU wildfire recovery work, the 2021 Summer Series has been cancelled. Music of the Spheres and Evening with the Stars tickets will not go on sale.

More than 2,400 guests visit the observatory each year for the Summer Series. Visitors have a chance to get closer to the stars through two historic telescopes and listen to lectures by world-renowned astronomers. Tickets for the general public go on sale this year on Wednesday, May 13th, 2020 at noon at ucsctickets.com.

Please email tickets@ucolick.org if you have any questions.

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Evenings with the Stars

In this program, we invite world-renowned astronomers to Lick Observatory for an evening with the "stars" you won't forget.

Activities include:

  • Astronomy talk by "star" scientists
  • Viewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescope
  • Viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescope
  • Fascinating history talk about Lick Observatory
  • After-hours gift shop access and light refreshments
  • Astronomy discussions with amateur astronomers using small telescopes

Please note: Weather may restrict telescope viewings, but other activities will still take place.

Learn More

Music of the Spheres Concerts

In this program, we bring world musicians to the summit of Mount Hamilton for a musical night to remember.

Activities include:

  • A concert
  • Astronomy talk by world-renowned scientists
  • Viewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescope
  • Viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescope
  • Astronomy discussions with amateur astronomers with small ground telescopes

Please note: Weather may restrict telescope viewings, but other activities will still take place.

Learn More