After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are thrilled to announce that Nebula Nights Festival is finally returning to White Sands National Park this year! The highly anticipated astronomy celebration offering visitors an unforgettable opportunity to explore the cosmos under the enchanting canopy of stars above one of America’s most stunning natural wonders.
The festival’s founders, astronomers Dr. Sarah Thompson and Dr. Michael Davis, expressed their elation about welcoming attendees back to the event after such a long wait. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring Nebula Nights Festival back to life this year,” they said. “The past two years have been challenging for everyone, and we believe that coming together under the stars at White Sands is now more important than ever. We can’t wait to share in the magic of stargazing with our community once again.”
In 2020, as COVID-19 cases began to rise worldwide, Nebula Nights Festival organizers made the difficult decision to cancel the event out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of attendees. “It was a heartbreaking moment,” recalled Thompson, “but we knew it was the right thing to do.”
Throughout 2021, the team worked tirelessly behind the scenes, adapting their plans and preparing for the eventual return of the festival. With COVID-19 cases declining and vaccination rates increasing in the United States, they felt confident that Nebula Nights could safely resume this year.
“We’ve implemented several safety measures to ensure a enjoyable experience for all attendees,” said Davis. “Proof of vaccination or negative test results within 72 hours of arrival will be required, masks will be recommended but not mandatory outdoors (except when social distancing is not possible), and we’ll have increased hand sanitizing stations throughout the festival grounds.”
Despite these precautions, the spirit of Nebula Nights remains unchanged. Festival-goers can look forward to an incredible lineup of stargazing workshops led by expert astronomers, astronomy lectures by renowned scientists like Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson (in-person or via live stream), live music performances by artists known for their cosmic-inspired soundscapes, art installations that light up the desert night, and outdoor adventures in White Sands National Park’s breathtaking dune fields.
“While we’ve had to adapt our plans due to the ongoing pandemic,” said Thompson, “our commitment to creating an inspiring and unforgettable experience for attendees remains stronger than ever. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Nebula Nights Festival this year!”
For more information about the event, including ticketing details, schedule updates, and safety guidelines, please visit our website at nebulanightsfestival.com. Follow us on social media for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and announcements leading up to the festival.
We look forward to seeing you under the stars this year!