Star Party/Laser Evenings

Star Gazing

The Virginia Living Museum offers free star gazing beginning at sunset on the second Saturday of every month. Star gazing 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 Star Party nights from 6-8:30pm.

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 state-of-the-art 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.

Saturday, November 11

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: 7:30pm

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.

Spirit of America

Time: 8:30pm

Recommended: ages 6 and up

Join us in the Abbitt Planetarium for a celebration of America. 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.

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

Laser Rock

Time: 10:00pm

Immerse yourself in the many facets of rock and roll with this awesome laser show. Featuring tracks from artists like Foreigner, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and more, this show is a visual and auditory tribute to all those who know how to rock.

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 will be high and the imagery can be intense.

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

Show Playlist

Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
Juke Box Hero by Foreigner
Ramble On by Led Zeppelin
Suffragette City by David Bowie
Long Distance Runaround by Yes

La Grange by ZZ Top
From the Beginning by Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight by Genesis
YYZ by Rush
Ace of Spades by Motörhead

Dark Side of the Moon

Time: 11:30pm

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.

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.

Show 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 9

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

Time: 6:30pm

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.

Recommended for ages 8 and up

Virginia Skies

Time: 7:30pm

Holiday Magic

Time: 8:30pm

VLMrudyrose

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 Metalica

Time: 10:00pm

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 Metallica program will be high and the imagery can be intense.

Show 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

Time: 11:30pm

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.

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.

Show Playlist