50+-Year Fan Favorite Combines the Music of Beloved Artists and Holiday Classics with 360-Degree Light and Action
- Fan-favorite Laser Shows will return to the McDonnell Planetarium in Dec. 2026 and January 2027.
- Laser Shows combine favorite songs and artists with colorful lights and laser action.
- Show tickets are sold on a space-available basis beginning Nov. 18, 2026..
ST. LOUIS, MO – November 9, 2026 – A 50+ year favorite returns this holiday season to the Saint Louis Science Center’s James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Since premiering in June 1975, the Planetarium’s Laser Shows have entertained generations of guests with a 360-degree combination of light and sound.
Taking advantage of the Planetarium’s recently upgraded surround-sound system, this season’s Laser Shows will run from December 19, 2026, through January 2, 2027. In addition to a new presentation system that establishes the McDonnel Planetarium as the largest and most advanced hybrid planetarium in the United States, the upgrade also introduced a 22,000-watt audio system that creates a 360-degree immersive experience and an Auracast Hearing Assistance transmission system that assists individuals with auditory concerns.
“Combining timeless music with creative, laser artwork and light-driven effects, our presentations are a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate favorite songs and beloved artists — and we’re excited to add holiday classics to ring in this time of year,” McDonnell Planetarium Manager Will Snyder says. “The McDonnell Planetarium was just the fifth planetarium in the world to host live laser shows when we introduced them to St. Louis audiences in the summer of 1975, and these presentations continue to be must-see activities for many of our guests.”
Twenty-seven shows will be offered this holiday season, including:
- The Nutcracker Fantasy (Dec. 19 and 22)
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Dec. 19, 21 and 23)
- Taylor Swift (Dec. 19, 29 and Jan. 2)
- The Beatles (Dec 20 and 27, and Jan. 1)
- ABBA (Dec. 29)
- Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (Dec. 20, 26, and 31, and Jan. 2)
- Billie Eilish (Dec. 26)
- Michael Jackson (Dec. 26)
- Bad Bunny (Dec. 27)
- Beastie Boys (Dec. 27)
- Prince (Dec. 28 and Jan. 2)
- David Bowie (Dec. 28)
- Queen (Dec. 30 and Jan. 1)
- Rush (Dec. 30)
- Grateful Dead (Dec. 31)
Tickets on Sale November 18, 2026
Laser Show tickets are $14 ($12 for Science Center members) and will go on sale November 18 online at slsc.org/lasers or by calling 314-289-4400. Performance times and playlists for the shows can be found at slsc.org/lasers.
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Contact:
Doug Bolnick, Public Relations Manager
314.289.4461
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