September 19, 2025 - October 26, 2025
No show on October 25 due to home MSU football game.
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm. Sundays 4:00 pm.
Messengers of Time and Space is an, immersive, NSF NOIRLab-produced planetarium show made possible through a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation called Gemini in the Era of Multi-Messenger Astronomy (GEMMA), which is aimed at advancing the leadership role of the International Gemini Observatory in the area of multi-messenger astronomy. The planetarium show highlights how Gemini will work together with observatories that monitor the night sky for exciting astronomical events that change with time, such as the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Sundays 2:30 pm.
While going to sleep, Celeste is visited by a friendly particle of light called Moon. Together, they travel beyond the Sun in search of new worlds and enjoy the delights and mysteries of exoplanet hunting. Find out how to detect exoplanets with Celeste and Moon and learn about all the different types of worlds including rogue planets, oceanic worlds and super-Earths. Even more, learn about real-life exoplanet hunters who observe the sky and search for other planets that are like Earth.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
October 31, 2025 - November 23, 2025
No show on November 15 due to the home MSU football game.
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm. Sundays 4:00 pm.
It takes many people with diverse backgrounds, talents, and skills to run a world-class observatory. Meet a few of these people as they share the wonder of the sky--and the excitement of discovery. Explore the world-class observatories nestled in northern Chile’s mountains and learn why Chile, is an ideal environment for studying the cosmos.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Sundays 2:30 pm.
You don't need a spaceship to learn about the sun, moon, and stars-just a little imagination! When Big Bird, Elmo, and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu, take an imaginary trip to the moon, they learn amazing things along the way.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
November 28, 2025 - December 21, 2025
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm. Sundays 4:00 pm.
Many of the familiar customs that we observe this time of year have an astronomical connection. Our holiday offering explores the traditions that we associate with this special season.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Sundays 2:30 pm.
When we look at the stars, we can play a giant game of dot-to-dot. We can use our imaginations to come up with amazing things from basic shapes to mythical creatures to our favorite animals. In this show, we will use our imaginations for a search through the stars for holiday themed shapes in the sky. This show is suitable for preschoolers, young elementary aged children, and their families.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
January 2, 2026 - January 25, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm. Sundays 4:00 pm.
Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge highlights Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons in relation to contemporary insights about environmental changes. Teachings shared by Native Skywatchers Carl Gawboy, William Wilson, and Dr. Annette S. Lee are narrated by Aarin Dokum with Anishinaabemowin translations by Alphonse Pitawanakwat set to art by Elizabeth LaPensée.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Sundays 2:30 pm.
Join showman extraordinaire “The Great Schiaparelli” as he takes the audience on a death-defying space-time adventure within his wondrous Observatorium.
From the sun-scorched surface of Mercury to the icy expanses of Pluto and beyond, prepare to be subjected to the myriad dangers and wonders of our Solar System, on a breathtaking tour that reveals just how precious our home planet really is. Be warned though, the Observatorium isn’t just for show. It will transport the audience right to the heart of some of the deadliest locations in our slice of the heavens. It’s going to take some fancy flying to get everyone back in one piece!
Additional fees apply for online orders.
January 30, 2026 - March 1, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm. Sundays 4:00 pm.
Rising Star takes you on an astronomical journey from our beginnings through the development of astronomy research in South Africa and looks at what the future of astronomy holds for the country. In addition to introducing multi-wavelength and multi-messenger astronomy, it highlights the many remarkable facilities hosted in South Africa along with some of their latest results. This includes unrestricted views of the 10-metre class Southern African Large Telescope and the most powerful radio telescope in the Southern Hemisphere, MeerKAT. The film is accessible to all ages and aims to excite audiences from around the world about South African astronomy, while inspiring the next generation of astronomers. As the first of its kind to be produced in Africa, Rising Star hopes to stimulate the production of many more locally produced planetarium films from multidisciplinary fields, with the goal of popularizing Africa’s numerous scientific achievements.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Sundays 2:30 pm.
Join children's entertainer Fred Penner as he explores things large and small, from the colors of the rainbow, to the reasons for the seasons. Through the use of entertaining songs and immersive environments, children are encouraged to participate while learning about the planets, constellations, meteors, the moon and more.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
March 6, 2026 - March 29, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm. Sundays 4:00 pm.
Join us as we showcase an exciting exploration of dark matter, from the Big Bang to its anticipated discovery at the Large Hadron Collider. See the first hints of its existence through the eyes of Fritz Zwicky, the scientist who coined the term "dark matter." From there explore the astral choreography witnessed by Vera Rubin in the Andromeda Galaxy and then plummet deep underground to see the most sensitive dark matter detector on Earth, housed in a former gold mine. Finally journey across space and time to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, to learn how scientists around the world are collaborating to track down the constituents of dark matter.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Sundays 2:30 pm.
Like almost all children, Celeste is fascinated with dinosaurs. She is preparing a talk for her class about how they went extinct when Moon, a very wise and magical character, poses a tantalizing question: what if I told you that there are still dinosaurs among us? Celeste will join Moon in a journey through time. An exciting adventure that will show them the Earth as it was in the very, very distant past. They will see the fascinating transformations that these animals underwent over millions of years, creating giant creatures, armored beasts and super predators, until the day that a cataclysmic impact event caused a mass extinction on Earth. But all is not lost. Celeste will discover the key to their survival.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
April 3, 2026 - April 26, 2026
No shows on April 5 for Easter.
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm. Sundays 4:00 pm.
Show about the MSU's FRIB, more details coming soon.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Sundays 2:30 pm.
The story about an average yellow star on a search for planets of his own to warm and protect. Along his way, he encounters other stars, learns what makes each star special, and discovers that stars can combine to form clusters and galaxies. Eventually, Little Star finds his planets, and each is introduced to audiences along with basic information about the Solar System.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
May 1, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm. Sundays 4:00 pm.
Leading scientists in observational and theoretical studies of black holes and galaxies, industrial experts in cutting-edge big technologies, and professionals in science dissemination have been brought together to set up research projects which will combine the latest state-of-the-art observations, numerical simulations and innovative analytic tools to compare theory with observation, and shed light on the physics of black hole formation in the context of galaxy evolution. This planetarium show presents the environments of the black holes in an impressive and understandable way to the audience.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Sundays 2:30 pm.
What are we made of? Where did it all come from? Explore the secrets of our cosmic chemistry, and our explosive origins. Connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe by following the formation of Hydrogen atoms to the synthesis of Carbon, and the molecules for life. Narrated by Andy Serkis.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
June 5, 2026 - June 28, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm. Sundays 4:00 pm.
Deep in the ice at the heart of Antarctica, IceCube, the biggest and strangest detector in the world waits for mysterious messengers from the cosmos. Scientists are using tiny and elusive particles called neutrinos to explore the most extreme places in the universe. These ghostly neutrinos give us an exclusive way to study powerful cosmic engines like exploding stars and black holes. In this show, stunning simulations of the most energetic places in our universe, and the galaxies around us, are the prelude to a thrilling journey inside IceCube, looking for traces of neutrino collisions in the ice. From one of the most remote locations on Earth to the unexplored regions of the cosmos, this show will take you on a journey you won't forget.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Sundays 2:30 pm.
Introducing THE STELLARS, a show designed with the youngest audiences in mind. The show weaves important educational themes into a character-driven story. It is the perfect blend of fun and learning, carefully crafted to spark the imagination and curiosity of young kids. The characters even break the “fourth wall” several times to directly engage with the audience about their ideas. The educational content of the show explores the essentials necessary for plant growth, the diversity of Earth's ecosystems, and the critical role of forests as habitats. It underscores our bond with nature and our role in preserving it, along with the importance of the scientific method in understanding our world.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
July 5, 2026 - July 26, 2026
No shows on July 3 and 4 for the Independence Day holiday.
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm. Sundays 4:00 pm.
The beauty of a starlit sky conceals the violent forces at work within our universe. From the upheaval of a giant star that explodes to release its material into space, to a future encounter between the Earth and a large asteroid that is too close for comfort, we will witness the forces that hold the universe together and occasionally try to rip it apart. Narrated by Patrick Stewart of Star Trek: The Next Generation and the X-Men films.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Sundays 2:30 pm.
The stalwart heroes of The Zula Patrol are on an expedition collecting samples of weather for scientist Multo's research. When the Zula gang inadvertently hurts their loyal pet Gorga's feelings, he decides to leave Zula and find another planet to live on. Villain Dark Truder then tricks Gorga into helping with his latest nefarious scheme to rule the universe. The Zula Patrollers find out and go after him-in the process learning all about weather, both terrestrial and interplanetary. Based on the hit TV series.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Planetarium Parking (Click for Map):
Weekends and weekdays after 6:00 pm free parking is available in the lot directly across the street from Abrams Planetarium (Lot 41). Weekdays from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm public parking for the planetarium is limited. Busses and other marked vehicles may park directly in front of the planetarium, in the bus loading zone while their presentation is being given. On weekdays the closest public parking to the planetarium is in the parking ramp directly behind the building (Shaw Lane Parking Ramp, Ramp 1/Lot 51). Public parking is in the basement sublevels and is Pay by Plate. For more information about Pay by Plate, please visit to the MSU Parking Services website.
Visit - Learn - Discover MSU:
Michigan State University is full of exciting places for your group to visit, learn, and discover. Now you can find many of them in one spot: https://visitlearn.msu.edu, where over a dozen destinations are just waiting to be explored. Rediscover a favorite or try something new!
We also offer Sensory Friendly versions of our shows, click here for more information.
Click here to find 2025-2026 Abrams Planetarium event schedule.