10 Space Conferences Where You Can Meet an Astronaut, Hear a Rock Star and Still Make the After-Party
Nobel laureates, astronauts, telescope fields and rock stars. These are the space and astronomy events where you don’t need a PhD to get in, just curiosity and a decent jacket for the night sky.
Intro
I went to Starmus in Tenerife this October, and I’m still over the moon about it! Where else do you hear Nobel laureates talk about the universe in the afternoon and then stargaze at a star party that same night? I met the most wonderful people there, and it’s the reason this list exists.]
Astrotourism isn’t just dark-sky hotels. Some of the best ways to fall down the space rabbit hole are conferences, festivals and star parties where scientists, astronauts and enthusiasts all end up in the same room (or field). Plenty of them welcome the general public, and a few come with a soundtrack.
How we picked: every event below is real, recurring and open to non-specialists with a ticket. Dates were checked on official sites or event listings in October 2026. Where the next edition hasn’t been announced, we say so. Always confirm on the official site before you book flights.
1. Starmus Festival (Tenerife and La Palma, Canary Islands, plus rotating host cities)
The hook: Nobel laureates, astronauts and a Queen guitarist walk into a festival. That’s not a joke, that’s Starmus.
Starmus was founded by astrophysicist Garik Israelian and Brian May, astrophysicist and guitarist of Queen, and it mixes science, music and art in a way nothing else does. Stephen Hawking was a long-time supporter, and the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication is handed out at the festival.
Starmus VIII, “The Search for Truth,” ran from 17 to 22 October 2026 across Tenerife and La Palma, with talks at the Pirámide de Arona, a free Science Camp in Santa Cruz, a star party and a closing concert on La Palma. Speakers included Geoffrey Hinton, Steven Pinker and astronaut Julie Payette. The next edition hasn’t been announced yet, so sign up on the official site to hear first.
Key Features
- Founded by Garik Israelian and Brian May
- Science talks plus concerts and star parties
- Free public Science Camp alongside the paid programme
- Next edition: dates TBA
Best For: Anyone who wants their science with a side of rock and roll
Visit / Book: Visit Starmus
2. Economist Space Economy Summit (Orlando, USA, and Lisbon, Portugal)
The hook: For the person who reads The Economist on the beach and wants to know who’s actually going to pay for the Moon.
The Economist’s events arm runs the Space Economy Summit, a two-day gathering about the business of space: satellites, space stations, Earth observation and where the money is going. The 4th annual edition runs 28 to 29 October 2026 at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, a short drive from the Space Coast launch sites.
There’s also a European edition, the Space Economy Summit Europe, which was held in Lisbon on 5 to 6 May 2026, co-hosted by the Portuguese Space Agency and ESA. It’s aimed at business and policy people, but a curious professional will be right at home.
Key Features
- Business-of-space focus from The Economist
- Orlando: 28 to 29 October 2026
- Europe edition in Lisbon (2027 dates TBA)
- Combine Orlando with a Kennedy Space Center visit
Best For: Professionals curious about the space economy
Visit / Book: Visit the Space Economy Summit
3. European AstroFest (London, UK)
The hook: Two days, one Kensington town hall, and more telescopes than you can explain to your partner.
European AstroFest is a long-running astronomy conference and exhibition in London, mixing talks from professional and amateur astronomers with a big expo of telescopes, books and societies to join. It’s friendly to beginners and serious enough for the gear obsessives.
The 2027 edition is on 5 and 6 February 2027 at the Kensington Conference and Events Centre.
Key Features
- Talks plus a large astronomy exhibition
- 5 to 6 February 2027
- Central London, easy by Tube
- Good for beginners shopping for a first telescope
Best For: City breakers who want a winter weekend of space talk
Visit / Book: Visit European AstroFest
4. Northeast Astronomy Forum, NEAF (Suffern, New York, USA)
The hook: Astronauts on stage, solar telescopes in the car park and 100-plus vendors tempting your credit card.
NEAF bills itself as the world’s largest astronomy and space expo, with big-name speakers (recent line-ups included NASA astronauts), a solar star party where you can safely look at the Sun, beginner classes and planetarium shows. It’s about an hour from New York City.
NEAF 2027 is on 10 and 11 April 2027 at Rockland Community College. Tickets go on sale 1 January 2027.
Key Features
- Huge expo plus astronaut and scientist talks
- Daily solar observing
- 10 to 11 April 2027
- Easy add-on to a New York trip
Best For: New York visitors and space fans of all ages
Visit / Book: Visit NEAF
5. Space Symposium (Colorado Springs, USA)
The hook: The space industry’s big annual get-together, held at a grand old resort at the foot of the Rockies.
Run by the Space Foundation, Space Symposium brings together space agencies, companies and military space leaders at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. It’s industry-heavy, so think of it as the trade show where the future of space gets negotiated over coffee.
The 2027 edition is listed for 12 to 15 April 2027. Go if you work near the sector or want a deep look behind the curtain, then reward yourself with a mountain hike.
Key Features
- Major global space industry event
- 12 to 15 April 2027 (per event listings)
- Venue: The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
- Combine with Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods
Best For: Space-curious professionals and career changers
Visit / Book: Visit Space Symposium
6. Stellafane Convention (Springfield, Vermont, USA)
The hook: A 100-year-old tradition of people who build their own telescopes. Yes, by hand. Yes, they’re delightful.
Stellafane started in 1926 as a meet-up for amateur telescope makers, and it’s still one of the most charming events in astronomy: homemade telescopes on the field, mirror-grinding demos, talks and dark Vermont skies after sunset.
The 2027 convention runs Thursday to Sunday, 5 to 8 August 2027. There’s no commercial sales area, which makes it feel more like a club reunion than an expo.
Key Features
- Running since 1926
- Homemade telescope displays and competitions
- 5 to 8 August 2027
- Pair it with a New England summer road trip
Best For: Makers, tinkerers and anyone who loves a niche hobby crowd
Visit / Book: Visit Stellafane
7. Texas Star Party (Fort Davis, Texas, USA)
The hook: A week on a ranch under some of the darkest skies in America. Bring snacks. Bring a red torch. Bring stamina.
For more than 40 years, the Texas Star Party has gathered astronomers, families and friends at the Prude Ranch near Fort Davis in the Davis Mountains, close to McDonald Observatory. Days are for talks and naps; nights are for observing until your eyes give up.
The 2027 edition runs 2 to 9 May 2027.
Key Features
- Week-long star party on a ranch
- Dark skies of West Texas
- 2 to 9 May 2027
- Near McDonald Observatory
Best For: People who want to actually look through telescopes, all night
Visit / Book: Visit Texas Star Party
8. Nebraska Star Party (Valentine, Nebraska, USA)
The hook: Camp beside a reservoir, learn the sky at a beginners’ field school, and paddle by day.
The Nebraska Star Party sets up at Merritt Reservoir’s Snake Campground, with fabulous skies and a Beginner’s Field School that teaches newcomers to find their way around the sky, with or without a telescope. It’s family friendly, with water activities during the day.
The 2027 edition runs 1 to 6 August 2027.
Key Features
- Beginner’s Field School
- Lakeside camping under dark skies
- 1 to 6 August 2027
- Family friendly
Best For: Families and total beginners
Visit / Book: Visit Nebraska Star Party
9. Chiefland Astrofest (Chiefland, Florida, USA)
The hook: A November star party in Florida, for when everywhere else is too cold to stand outside at 2am.
The Chiefland Star Party Group hosts its Astrofest at the Chiefland Astronomy Village in north Florida, a well-known dark-sky spot among Southeast US amateur astronomers. Expect telescope fields, friendly observers and mild autumn nights.
The current edition is listed for 5 to 11 November 2026. Dates for 2027 are TBA.
Key Features
- Autumn star party in Florida
- 5 to 11 November 2026 (2027 TBA)
- Established amateur observing site
- Easy to combine with a Florida trip
Best For: Winter-averse stargazers
Visit / Book: Visit Chiefland Astrofest
10. International Astronautical Congress, IAC (rotating host city)
The hook: The world’s biggest annual space conference, moving to a new city every year like a very nerdy touring band.
Organised by the International Astronautical Federation, the IAC brings together space agencies, companies, students and researchers from around the world for a week of talks and exhibitions. It’s the largest annual space gathering, and many editions offer day passes and public outreach events.
The 2027 host city and dates should be confirmed on the official IAF site before you plan anything. Dates TBA here.
Key Features
- World’s largest annual space conference
- New host city each year
- Exhibition hall with agency and company stands
- 2027 dates: check official site
Best For: Students and professionals who want the global view
Visit / Book: Visit the IAF
Quick Selection Guide
| If you want… | Go to |
|---|---|
| Science, music and Nobel laureates | Starmus |
| The business of space | Economist Space Economy Summit |
| A winter weekend in London | European AstroFest |
| Astronauts and a huge expo near NYC | NEAF |
| The industry’s big annual meeting | Space Symposium |
| Homemade telescopes and history | Stellafane |
| A full week of dark-sky observing | Texas Star Party |
| A beginner-friendly family camp-out | Nebraska Star Party |
| A warm November star party | Chiefland Astrofest |
| The global space conference | IAC |
Affiliate note: links go to official sites. Swap in tracked hotel links once a travel affiliate program is set up.
Prices and booking details change. Always check live before you book.
