Experience the largest artificial sky in the Western Hemisphere
Star Shows in the Orthwein Starbay Theater are your gateway to the stars and beyond. Let the beauty of a clear, dark sky be your window into the universe as one of our skilled Planetarium Presenters leads each audience on a live exploration of the cosmos.
Shows are offered on a variety of topics and include a 40-45 minute live Planetarium program powered by our world-class ZEISS Universarium Mark IX star projector underneath our 80-foot dome.
After each show, explore the exhibit galleries on the 2nd and 3rd levels of the McDonnell Planetarium available only to guests who attend a Star Show.
Live. Current. Unforgettable.
Current Star Show Schedule
Monday, November 29
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Thursday, December 02
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Friday, December 03
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Saturday, December 04
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Sunday, December 05
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Monday, December 06
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Thursday, December 09
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Friday, December 10
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Saturday, December 11
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Sunday, December 12
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Monday, December 13
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Thursday, December 16
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Friday, December 17
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Saturday, December 18
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Sunday, December 19
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Monday, December 20
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Tuesday, December 21
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Wednesday, December 22
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Thursday, December 23
Planetarium: Live Sky Tonight
Planetarium: The Little Star That Could
Planetarium: Gateway to the Solar System
Planetarium: Seasons Greetings
Now Showing at the McDonnell Planetarium
Seasons Greetings – For a Limited Time
NOW SHOWING: Thursday – Monday at 12:45pm
A holiday favorite!
The winter solstice is when the sun is lowest in our sky, but there are reasons to look up all year long. Discover the nature of our seasons and why the winter solstice has long been a time of celebration in this live star show.
Gateway to the Solar System
NOW SHOWING: Thursday – Monday at 12:45pm
Exploring the solar system – and worlds beyond our own – is not science fiction. Gateway to the Solar System empowers audience members to discover planets, moons, and more by simply looking up.
Discover where the planets are tonight and more about our solar system that you can observe from your own backyard in this live star show.
Live Sky Tonight
NOW SHOWING: Thursday – Monday at 11:30am and 3:15pm
Relax under the clearest night sky in St. Louis as our skilled presenters lead you on tour of the best the night has to offer.
This live show is different every time, so stop back again to discover the changing stars, planets, and other celestial events visible from your own backyard.
The Little Star that Could
NOW SHOWING: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday at 10:15am
A tradition in St. Louis for over 30 years! Developed for our youngest stargazers, experience the timeless story of an “average” star in search of what makes him special. Along his journey, we will discover the differences of stars, planets, and galaxies in the night sky. Note: Not a live performance.
Membership
Members stargaze for free.
Love the Planetarium? Become a Science Center member and watch star shows for free with every visit, as well as get a full year of additional members-only benefits.
Plus, members help support the Science Center and our mission to make science learning open to everyone.
Accessibility
Elevators and ramps serve all public areas of the McDonnell Planetarium.
We also offer hearing assist devices for Planetarium star shows. When ordering tickets, please let your reservationist know you’re interested in a hearing assist device, or speak with a Planetarium team member before your program begins.