Best stargazing spots in Ontario for tomorrow’s ‘Parade of Planets’ celestial event

A major celestial event is happening this week and we have the best spots in Ontario for stargazing. 

The Parade of Planets — set to occur tomorrow January 21, 2025 — is an annual event in which Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus align in the night sky and can be easily seen from our little blue orb.

Luckily, just in time for the event, tourism officials with the provincial government released a list of the best places to view the night sky in Ontario.

According to Destination Ontario, these are the best places to look at all seven planets aligning tomorrow night. 

Lodges/Dwellings

Evergreen Forest (Bruce Penninsula): Featuring the Evergreen Forest Resort, this location nestled in nature is perfect for accommodating winterized star gazing, as woodlot suites feature massive skylights to look at the cosmos without the need for mittens. 

Red Bay Lodge (Bruce Penninsula): Another special locale in the Bruce Penninsula, Red Bay Lodge does require their guests to gear up, as they offer guided celestial viewing events — often focused on the Northern Lights. 

Observatories/Groups

David Dunlap Observatory (Richmond Hill): This nearly century-old observatory is the perfect place to see the stars align with their featured space telescope. 

Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory (London): Located on the Western University campus, this space is known to open up to the public for major celestial occurrences.

Bayside Astronomy (Lion’s Head): Another Bruce Pennisula organization, this group meets up at the marina in the town of Lion’s Head to stargaze, share equipment and discuss the outer workings of space. 

William J. McCallion Planetarium (Hamilton): This planetarium, located at McMaster University, was the first in Ontario to invite the public to events and is the perfect locale for booking stargazing events. 

Long Point Eco Adventures (St. Williams): Complete with an Observatory Dome and a 16-inch telescope, this facility is a short drive from Hamilton and is the perfect place to see the planets line up. 

David Thompson Astronomical Observatory (Thunder Bay): One of the largest telescopes in central Canada, this location provides stargazing programs and evening star walk events.

Outdoor Parks/Camping

Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre (Oliphant): Bolstering a 28” Dobsonian reflector telescope, this outdoor educational facility is the perfect place to learn all you need to know about the night sky.

Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve (Gravenhurst): With 4,000 acres of preserved landscape, this preserve is the perfect place to drive up to with a telescope and enjoy some stargazing.

Bruce Peninsula National Park (Leamington): Featuring two designated stargazing areas as well as a series of yurts for accommodation, this location is the perfect winter getaway for looking at the stars.

Lake Superior Provincial Park (Wawa): Balancing night sky views and the reflections of a Great Lake, this park is one of the province’s most special places to stargaze.

Lennox and Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area (Erinsville): For those in the southern reaches of Ontario, this designated sky viewing space is perfect for some nighttime viewing, as it comes complete with flat concrete spaces perfect for telescope placement.

Point Pelee National Park (Leamington): A well-known summertime spot where Monarch butterflies congregate, this space is also a year-round go-to space for checking out the stars.

North Frontenac Astronomy Park (Plevna): If it’s in the same, it is likely a great space to engage in some astronomy, as it features a Fred Lossing Telescope and a facility purpose-built to accommodate stargazing guests.

The DarkSky Preserve at Manitoulin Eco Park (Tehkummah): Featuring a sprawling nature preserve, this space is perfect for checking out the stars, and if you have the time, also venturing into its surrounding hardwood forest and enjoying eco-friendly accommodations.

Quetico Provincial Park (Atikokan): Recognized as a wilderness park, this outdoor space a short drive from Thunder Bay is perfect for checking out the great Canadian night sky.

For more information on public spaces for stargazing, visit the provincial government’s official website.