Experience a Saturday night to remember at Lick Observatory!
Each year Lick Observatory brings world-renown musicians and astronomers to the summit of Mount Hamilton for a musical night to remember.
The event activities include:
- Concert
- Astronomy talk by world-renowned scientists
- Viewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescope
- Viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescope
- Astronomy discussions with amateur astronomers and viewing through small telescopes
Check back in spring 2024 for information on the 44th Annual Summer Series!
2023 Summer Series – Is over for this year
Lick Observatory Music of the Spheres 2023 event dates
Performers and Astronomy speakers subject to change.
Tickets always sell out fast!
Tickets will be available to the general public in Spring 2024 on Eventbrite.
There is a limit of 4 tickets per customer.
Tickets Options
GENERAL $55
☆ General concert seating.
☆ Astronomy lecture.
☆ View through the Great Refractor.
☆ View through the Nickel Telescope.
PREFERRED $95
☆ Preferred concert seating.
☆ Astronomy lecture.
☆ Preferred viewing through the Great Refractor.
☆ Preferred viewing through the Nickel Telescope.
☆ 20% Discount at our gift shop.
Events will have either Preferred+ or VIP ticket options, depending on the program date. See Eventbrite for available ticket options for a particular event date.
PREFERRED+ $120
☆ Front center concert seating.
☆ Astronomy lecture.
☆ Priority viewing through the Great Refractor.
☆ Priority viewing through the Nickel Telescope.
☆ 20% Discount at our gift shop.
V.I.P. $219
☆ Private group tour of the Shane Telescope starting 2.5 hours before the concert.
☆ Catered buffet dinner in our historic Dining Hall.
☆ Front center concert seating.
☆ Astronomy lecture.
☆ Priority viewing through the Great Refractor.
☆ Priority viewing through the Nickel Telescope.
☆ 20% Discount at our gift shop.
- COVID-19 safety protocols may change according to the conditions in Santa Clara County and the University of California Santa Cruz policies to ensure the safety of visitors, staff and volunteers. Ticket purchasers will be notified of the current safety protocols and masking rules shortly before the event.
- By purchasing a ticket, you agree to abide by the COVID policies in place at the time of the event.
Important Ticket Information
Doors open 1 hour before the concert begins. Numbered telescope viewing passes will be distributed in the order that General admission guests come through the door. VIP, Preferred+, and Preferred patrons have reserved lower number passes for telescope viewing.
Due to the historic construction of the telescope domes and safety concerns, the 36-inch Great Refractor Telescope and the 40-inch Nickel Telescope are not wheelchair accessible at this time. Those who have difficulty navigating stairs may also find the telescopes inaccessible. Funds are being raised through the Friends of Lick Observatory to repair the elevating floor of the Lick 36-inch telescope to re-enable handicap access.
Please allow a one-hour drive from San Jose. The road is good, but windy. The event typically lasts between 4 and 6 hours; prepare to drive home late in the evening. Parking is limited at the Observatory, so we encourage car pooling. There are no automative services or gas stations for 20 miles, so please plan ahead. See more information on driving directions and parking here.
