If you’re craving a night away from the hustle and bustle of downtown State College, the stars are aligning for you.

Penn State’s Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics will host AstroFest, a four-night festival of astronomy activities and stargazing, from Wednesday, July 13, through Saturday, July 16. Events are free to the public and will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. each night at the Davey Laboratory.

In addition to featured presentations and planetarium shows, visitors can also use the rooftop observatory telescopes to get an up-close look at planets, star clusters, and the full moon. Younger visitors can pick up an AstroFest passport in the lobby that can be stamped at different demonstrations and turned in for special prizes.

“After two years of purely online outreach events, it’s so exciting to bring programs like AstroFest back to campus,” Tim Gleason, director of the Eberly College of Science’s Office of Science Outreach, said. “There’s nothing quite like seeing the planets or experiencing the planetarium with your own eyes.”

Although visitors are encouraged to attend the event in person, some virtual activities and live broadcasts will be available online for those who can’t make it to campus.