Stargazing/Laser Evenings

Stargazing

The Virginia Living Museum offers free stargazing beginning at sunset on the second Saturday of every month. Stargazing is weather dependent. Several telescopes are set up on the grounds and staff astronomers are available to help visitors identify objects in the night sky.

The evening also includes a planetarium program and several laser shows. Shows are $3 for VLM members, $6 for non-members. Double features are $5 for VLM members and $10 for non-members.

The Wild Side Café is open on Stargazing – Laser evenings (times vary).

Laser Nights

Looking for some Saturday night fun? Start with a planetarium program. Then experience a sensory extravaganza as laser shows provide music to both the eyes and ears every second Saturday of the month. The museum has an incredible laser system that splashes brilliant high-color LED laser light all across the entire surface of the dome. It’s the most amazing light show you’ve ever seen! Plus, there’s music to suit every taste. Different bands are featured every month.

Cost: Members $3, non-members $6 per show. Double features are $5 for VLM members and $10 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased in advance.

Saturday, November 9

Free observing begins at approximately 7 pm.

Show Cost: Members $3 per show, non-members $6 per show. Double features are $5 for VLM members and $10 for non-members.

Purchase Tickets Now

Virginia Skies

Time: 7:30 pm

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.

Laser Beatles

Time: 8:30 pm

Recommended: ages 6 and above

The Fab Four fill the theater with music and laser light in this exciting and fun show for the whole family. Featuring great Beatles hits like Revolution, Nowhere Man, Help, and tons more, this show is as timeless as the Beatles themselves. All ages and backgrounds will appreciate this fantasy tribute of music and light to The Beatles and how they helped define a generation.

This program is family-friendly: Inappropriate song lyrics have been eliminated or blanked.

Show Playlist

Magical Mystery Tour
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Twist and Shout
A Hard Day’s Night
Nowhere Man
Help!

Yesterday
Octopus’ Garden
Revolution
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
A Day in the Life

Laser Zeppelin

Time: 10 pm

Recommended: ages 15 and above

Almost a full hour of amazing rock with Led Zeppelin. See incredible laser images custom-created for awesome songs like Kashmir, No Quarter, Over the Hills and Far Away and many more. Led Zeppelin is proclaimed by many critics to be the progenitors of heavy metal and hard rock, and their individualistic style reset the standards for many musical genres in the 1960s and ‘70s. Indeed, they have been hailed as one of the most successful, innovative and influential bands, alongside Pink Floyd, U2 and the Beatles. Now you can relive the magical sounds of Led Zeppelin while enjoying a visual treat of custom laser imagery.

Many of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable.

Please be aware that volume levels during our Laser Zeppelin program will be high and the imagery can be intense.

Show Playlist

Song Remains the Same
Over the Hills and Far Away
Good Times, Bad Times
Immigrant Song
No Quarter
Black Dog

Livin’ Lovin’ Maid
Kashmir
Stairway to Heaven
Whole Lotta Love
Rock ‘n’ Roll

Dark Side of the Moon

Recommended: ages 15 and above

From the very beginning of lasers, this album has represented the ultimate in laser show experiences. And it’s still true today. Join us for the seminal laser show experience with one of the most incredible albums of all time. Considered by many critics to be the album that brought the commercial breakthrough to Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon offers a mixture of psychedelic, rock and jazz sounds. Its sonic backdrops and atmospheric soundscapes combined with a unique assortment of sound effects yield an emotional resonance. When accompanied by a diverse and unusual display of laser art, the overall feel is a dramatic and haunting atmosphere.

Some of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable.Please be aware that volume levels during our Pink Floyd program will be high and the imagery can be intense

Playlist

Speak to Me
Breathe
On the Run
Time
The Great Gig in the Sky

Money
Us and Them
Any Colour You Like
Brain Damage
Eclipse

Saturday, December 14

Free observing begins at approximately 5:30 pm.

Show Cost: Members $3 per show, non-members $6 per show. Double features are $5 for VLM members and $10 for non-members.

Purchase Tickets Now

Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star

Time: 6:30 pm

Since 1965, we have journeyed in the footsteps of the Magi, seeking the identity of a mysterious star which foretold the coming of a king. Over the years, the scientific thinking has changed, archaeology has revealed new clues about the lands in which these events took place, and our understanding of who the Magi might have actually been has grown. The show was completely revised in 2008 to offer a truly immersive look at the journey of the Magi while examining the latest clues and seeking once more to understand the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem.

Our presentation of Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star is made possible by E&S Spitz.

Virginia Skies

Time: 7:30 pm

Holiday Magic

Time: 8:30 pm

Holiday Magic is a delightful celebration of the holiday season that the whole family will enjoy! Featuring timeless classics and songs from the holiday specials we loved as kids, as well as modern holiday music, this show has something for everyone. Ring in the holiday season with the most amazing light show in town!

Show Playlist

Joy to the World
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Jingle Bell Rock
The March of the Toy Soldiers
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
We Three Kings of Orient Are
Snow Miser
Linus and Lucy

Up on the Housetop
White Christmas
The Russian Dance
Let it Snow
Winter Wonderland
Sleigh Ride
Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24

Laser Metallica

Recommended: ages 15 and above

Metal meets lasers! And it is intense! The theater shakes with awesome hits like Enter Sandman, Nothing Else Matters, Sad But True and so much more. You’ve never done metal ’til you’ve done it with lasers!Please note that we do not recommend this program for children under the age of 15.

Many of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable.

Please be aware that volume levels during our Laser Metallica program will be high and the imagery can be intense.

Playlist

For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ain’t My *****
One
Fuel
Nothing Else Matters

Master of Puppets
Unforgiven II
Sad But True
Enter Sandman

The Wall

Recommended: ages 15 and above

The Wall is best considered as a continual story rather than a collection of individual songs. It tells the tale of a rock star named Pink and his downward spiral into madness. To the listener, and indeed many critics, The Wall is a gripping and spellbinding musical journey – beautiful, haunting, powerful and thought provoking. It is a timeless classic, and one of Pink Floyd’s best, becoming the group’s second best seller behind Dark Side of the Moon.

Now coupled with spectacular and mesmerizing laser art, Pink Floyd’s classic 1979 epic about personal struggle takes on a unique look, weaving its story in one of the most popular laser shows ever produced! Visitors will become lost and spellbound as their senses join this timeless journey.

Please note that we do not recommend this program for children under the age of 15.

Some of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable.

Please be aware that volume levels during our Pink Floyd program will be high and the imagery can be intense.

Playlist