While member clubs run their own events, one NCRAL member club runs the annual NCRAL Convention. Clubs petition the NCRAL and volunteer to host the regional convention for the benefit of everyone. If an NCRAL member organization has an event which is open to all NCRAL members, and they would like to have it listed, you can send your request to the webmaster.
Unique opportunities for observing and fellowship abound — take advantage of all the events that our member clubs have to offer!
| Date | Event |
| June 19 – 22 | Wisconsin Observer’s Weekend 2025 |
| Canceled | Pike River Starfest 2025 |
| August 20 – 25 | Northern Nights Star Fest 2025 |
| August 22 – 24 | Eastern Iowa Star Party 2025 |
| September 18 – 20 | Illinois Dark Skies Star Party 2025 *j |
| September 19 – 21 | Northwoods Starfest 2025 |
| October 16 – 19 | Iowa Star Party 2025 *j |
Wisconsin Observer’s Weekend 2025
The annual Wisconsin Observer’s Weekend (WOW) will be held on June 19-22 at Hartman Creek State Park near Waupaca, WI. Sponsored by NCRAL member society NEWSTAR, this event has a maximum registration of 150 so if you’re thinking of going get your form in sooner than later! Details and registration forms can be found on the club website.
Northern Nights Star Fest 2025
Northern Nights Star Fest in Minnesota will be held on August 20 – August 25 at the Long Lake Conservation Center near McGregor, Minnesota. Visit their website for more information.
Eastern Iowa Star Party 2025
The Quad Cities Astronomical Society and the Popular Astronomy Club invite
you to attend the 40th Eastern Iowa Star Party (EISP).
The event is scheduled for August 22 through the 24 and will be held at the
Wapsi River Education Center located about 5 miles north of Dixon Iowa.
St. Ambrose University and the QCAS operate four observatories housing 5
telescopes as well as a classroom with modern rest rooms, heat and AC.
Attendees will be able to park and sleep next to their equipment on the observing
grounds surrounding the observatories. There are a limited number of concrete
pads with power outlets available and outlets on some of the buildings. Bring a
battery or power cord for your astro equipment. There are no showers, water
hook ups nor electrical for RVs.
Water, coffee and hot chocolate, will be available part of the night for a donation.
Food can be ordered from the American Legion in Dixon, Iowa. Please, no pets
in the buildings or on the observing fields at night.
There is no star party fee nor formal registration but if you plan to attend please
send an email to John Baker: johnbsys@aol.com.
WREEC coordinates: N41° 46′, W90° 47′
WREEC can be reached from Interstate 80. Proceed on Interstate 80 to the Walcott, IA exit At this exit, proceed north on county road Y40 for eight miles to Dixon, IA. County Road Y40 comes to a Tee intersection in Dixon with County Road Y4E. When you reach this intersection, proceed left (west) and go approximately one and a half miles until you come to a sign directing you to WREEC.
There is also an invitation in PDF format.
Northwoods Starfest 2025
The annual Northwoods Starfest will occur on September 19-21 at Hobbs Observatory in Fall Creek, WI. See the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society website for details.
Iowa Star Party 2025
The Iowa Star Party will be held on October 16 – 19 at the Whiterock Resort in Coon Rapids, IA. Visit their website for more information.
Illinois Dark Skies Star Party 2025
The Sangamon Astronomical Society (Springfield, IL) will host the Illinois Dark Skies Star Party September 18 – 20. The event will be held at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area in west central Illinois. Detailed information and registration is available at their website.
Past Events
Astro Swap ‘n’ Sell 2025
The 16th annual Astro Swap-N-Sell will be held on Saturday, March 15 from 9:00am to 2:00pm at the Aviation Heritage Center in Sheboygan Falls, WI. Details can be found on the Sheboygan Astronomical Society’s website.
NCRAL 2025 Convention
April 25-27, 2025 in Minnetonka, MN
Presented by the NCRAL Convention Committee
“First Light – New Frontiers, New People“
Mark your calendars for the 2025 NCRAL Conference on April 25-27. Bring your astronomy craving to the Minneapolis area and gather with other enthusiasts for an exciting weekend. The conference, entitled, “First Light: New Frontiers, New People”, will be held at the Minneapolis Marriot Southwest, located at 5801 Opus Parkway, Minnetonka, MN.
Guests arriving Friday can join us at the nearby Eagle Lake Observatory for a Star-B-Q with the help of our friends at the Minnesota Astronomical Society (MAS). The evening will include good food, some discussions by MAS members, a talk by Greg Bragg (on the state of the astronomy industry) tours of the observatory, and weather permitting some viewing!
Saturday will begin at 8:00 AM with a door prize drawing followed by the NCRAL business meeting. Then we get into the meat of the conference with a day of presentations by our guest speakers:
Evan Skillman, professor, University of Minnesota
Mike Benson, accomplished astro-photographer
Clem Pryke, professor from the University of Minnesota
John Rummel of the Madison Astronomical Society
Bob King of Sky and Telescope magazine
And keynote speaker, Lawrence Rudnick, professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota.
A banquet dinner Saturday evening is included with your reservation fee. Go to https://ncral2025.org/ to make reservations and to book your room. The website contains additional information on the speakers and synopsis of their presentations.
Attendees may also visit the fascinating Bell Museum planetarium in St. Paul that weekend using a discount code which will be made available to conference attendees.
If you have questions, email the planning committee at NCRALConference@gmail.com
See you in April!
Pike River Starfest 2025
The Pike River Starfest will be held on date TBA in Amberg, WI. Details to follow.
NCRAL Online 
