✦ Official Invitation

YURI'S NIGHT
LOS ANGELES
2026

A Triple Human Spaceflight Anniversary Celebration

Date
April 11, 2026
Venue
Griffith Observatory
City
Los Angeles, CA
Mission Briefing

CELEBRATE
HUMANITY

Three milestones. One extraordinary night. Join us as we commemorate the anniversaries that define humanity's greatest adventure — reaching beyond Earth and into the cosmos.

25
Years of Yuri's Night
Since 2001, Yuri's Night has united space enthusiasts across the globe in celebration of human spaceflight — a worldwide party for our species' greatest achievement.
65
Years Since Gagarin's Flight
On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space, orbiting Earth in 108 minutes and forever changing what it means to be human.
45
Years of the Space Shuttle Era
Columbia's first launch on April 12, 1981 opened a new chapter of reusable human spaceflight — carrying discovery and international cooperation to orbit.
Yuri's Night 25th Anniversary — Official Event Poster
The Celebration

LOOK UP

Yuri's Night Los Angeles returns to Griffith Observatory — perched above the city of angels with a commanding view of the cosmos. Join astronauts, scientists, and dreamers under the dome for keynotes, exhibits, and stargazing.

The Vision

THE FUTURE
IS OURS

From Gagarin's single orbit to permanent presence aboard the International Space Station, humanity has never stopped reaching higher. Hear firsthand from those who have lived beyond Earth's atmosphere — then look up.

Featured Speakers

VOICES FROM
ORBIT

Astronauts who have lived among the stars return to Earth to share their stories and vision for humanity's future in space.

Ron Garan
NASA Astronaut
Ron Garan
NASA Astronaut · ISS Expedition 27/28

Ron Garan is a retired NASA astronaut and fighter pilot who logged over 178 days in space. From the ISS cupola, he developed the "Orbital Perspective" — a philosophy of global collaboration inspired by viewing Earth from above.

Jannicke Mikkelsen
ESA Astronaut · Norway
Jannicke Mikkelsen
ESA Astronaut · SpaceX Crew Dragon

Jannicke Mikkelsen is a Norwegian ESA astronaut, military helicopter pilot, and test pilot — and Norway's first woman in space. A trained aerospace engineer and passionate science communicator bridging the world to orbit.

The Team Behind the Mission
Yuri's Night LA Crew with Astronaut Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides
★ Astronaut Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides — Center Co-Founder, Yuri's Night · Surrounded by the Yuri's Night LA Crew
Schedule

MISSION
TIMELINE

Saturday, April 11, 2026 · Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles

12:00 PM
Observatory Opens
General admission access begins. All galleries, exhibits, and exterior telescopes open to the public.
1:00 PM
Gallery Exploration
Gunther Depths of Space · Edge of Space · Ahmanson Hall of the Sky · Wilder Hall of the Eye.
3:00 PM
Opening Keynotes Begin
Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater. Open to public — first come, first served. Reserved seating for VIP & Program holders.
5:00 PM
VIP & Reserved Parking Opens
Dedicated parking for VIP and Program ticket holders. VIP Reception setup begins.
7:00 PM
Feature Presentation
Headline keynote with Ron Garan and Jannicke Mikkelsen. Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater.
8:00 PM
VIP Reception
Hosted beer & wine bar. Complimentary appetizers by Wolfgang Puck. Networking with speakers and ambassadors.
9:00 PM
After-Hours Access
VIP and Program holders enjoy extended telescope, museum, and programming access through 11:00 PM.
11:00 PM
Mission Complete
Yuri's Night LA 2026 concludes. Safe travels, fellow explorers.
Access Tiers

CHOOSE YOUR
MISSION TIER

General Admission is free and open to all. Upgrade for reserved seating, after-hours access, and the full VIP experience.

Open Access
General Admission
Access to the observatory and more!
FREE
  • Observatory galleries & exhibits
  • Exterior Exhibits
  • Gunther Depths of Space Gallery & Edge of Space
  • Ahmanson Hall of the Sky
  • Wilder Hall of the Eye
  • Public Telescopes
  • Select Keynotes in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater
Free and open to the public during regular observatory hours — no ticket required. Keynote presentations are first come, first served.
Elite Access
VIP Experience
Elevate your Yuri's Night!
$
500
  • All General Admission Access
  • Reserved Seating & Early Access to Keynote Presentations
  • Admission to VIP Reception
  • After-Hours Access to Telescope and Museum
  • Networking w/ VIP Guests, Speakers & Ambassadors
  • Extended Programming Through 11:00 PM
  • Reserved Parking Included (Starting at 5:00 PM)
VIP Tickets are limited. Reception includes hosted beer & wine bar and complimentary appetizers by Wolfgang Puck.
Purchase Tickets
Broadcast

WATCH LIVE

The official livestream will appear here on event day. Watch the celebration from Griffith Observatory, anywhere on Earth.

🛰
Stay Connected

STAY
CONNECTED

Receive event updates and a reminder 24 hours before launch.

Get In Touch

MISSION
CONTROL

Questions? Reach out and our team will respond promptly.