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Planetarium Shows
Visit the planets, travel to a black hole, observe spinning galaxies or study the Earth from space in the Virginia Living Museum’s 71-seat Abbitt Planetarium Theater. Using our state-of-the-art digital full-screen projection system, we can recreate the many wonders of the universe, including the stars and constellations of the sky for any season of the year – all from the comfort of an armchair.
All daytime programs cost $4 plus Museum admission. VLM members are admitted free to day-time programs. Tickets are available at the front desk.
The Abbitt Planetarium is open:
Memorial Day through Labor Day: Daily
October through May: Wednesdays through Sundays and select holiday Mondays
List of Shows
Summer Thursday Laser Shows - 5:30 pm
July 5: ElectroLaze – A mixed music show of Electronic Dance Music. Ages 6 and up. Family-friendly.
July 12: Hypnotica – A mixed music show featuring techno music. Ages 6 and up. Family-friendly.
July 19: Laser Beatles – A mix of the band’s greatest hits. Ages 6 and up. Family-friendly.
July 26: Laser Genesis – A mix of the band’s greatest hits. Ages 6 and up. Family-friendly.
August 2: Laser Magic – A mix of pop and movie hits from the 80s and 90s. Ages 6 and up. Family-friendly.
August 9: Laser Mania – A mix of pop and movie hits from the 80s and 90s. Ages 6 and up. Family-friendly.
August 16: Laser Pop – A mix of pop music from the 60s, 80s, and 90s. Ages 6 and up. Family-friendly.
August 23: Laser Retro – A mix of music from the 80s. Ages 6 and up. Family-friendly.
August 30: Laser Spirit – A mix of inspirational and patriotic music. Ages 6 and up. Family-friendly.
Spirit of America
Days: Daily in July at 11:30 am
July 4 – 11:30 am*, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm, 10:00 pm
Spirit of America mixes great patriotic music with America-inspired rock & roll and songs that have defined American music. Rock on to great artists like John Fogerty, Garth Brooks, Lee Greenwood and so many, many more. Recommended for ages 6 and up.
This program made possible by Heck Industries.
Show Playlist:
• God Bless America by Celine Dion
• Hoedown by Aaron Copeland
• Centerfield by John Fogerty
• Fifties Medley by Various Artists
• The Star Spangled Banner by KISS
• The World’s Greatest by R. Kelly
• Servicemen on Parade by Aaron Copeland
• Standing Outside the Fire by Garth Brooks
• Pink Houses by John Cougar Mellencamp
• Only in America by Brooks & Dunn
• State Medley by Various Artists
• God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood
*The 11:30 am showing will not include the complete show playlist.
Kaluoka'hina: The Enchanted Reef
Date: July 14 at 1:30 pm
Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.
The vastness of our planet’s oceans guards unimaginable secrets. One of its most precious is “Kaluoka’hina”, the enchanted reef whose magic protects it against humans finding it. Kaluoka’hina’s colorful inhabitants have thus always lived in peace… until the volcano erupts, and the spell is broken.
Journey to Mars
Ongoing: days and times vary. Check the calendar.
Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.
Prepare for a close approach of Mars in summer 2018, and explore NASA’s plans for getting humans to Mars in this century.
The Zula Patrol: Down to Earth
Ongoing. Days and times vary. Check the calendar.
Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.
The Zula Patrol try to stop Deleria from polluting the Earth of the past while learning about the structure and history of the planet.
Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs?
Ongoing. Days and times vary. Check the calendar.
Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.
An exploration of the death of the dinosaurs and if it would really be possible for an asteroid impact to be involved.
Virginia Skies
Ongoing. Days and times vary. Check the calendar.
Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.
Explore the evening skies above Virginia in this classic planetarium presentation. A staff astronomer will discuss seasonal constellations as well as any planets visible. Additional topics may be explored depending on celestial happenings around the time of your visit.
Special Thanks to the British Fulldome Institute for the use of planetarium shows and clips.