Recreational/VisitorsTom Thomson Park Stargazing Experience

Recreational/Visitors

Tom Thomson Park- South River Stargazing Experience

Fall Colours, Harvest Moon & Stargazing Experience

Saturday, September 26, 2026
5:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Tom Thomson Park, South River, Ontario
Admission: $25 + applicable taxes and Eventbrite fees
Advance registration required

Experience the beauty of South River as fall colours, waterfront scenery and forest landscapes transition into sunset, the Full Moon and the fall night sky.

Join us at Tom Thomson Park for a special outdoor evening combining fall colours, photography, nature, astronomy and guided telescope viewing.

Arrive before sunset to enjoy the colourful forest and waterfront and capture memorable fall photographs. As daylight fades, the experience will transition into an introduction to the fall night sky and telescope viewing.

Participants will have an opportunity to experience the Full Moon through a telescope, along with bright stars and other suitable celestial objects. If weather and observing conditions permit, we will also attempt to observe Saturn.

Each registered participant will receive a commemorative collectible event T-shirt.

Your Experience Includes

Fall colour photography opportunities
Waterfront and forest scenery
Individual, couple, family and group photo opportunities
Sunset experience at Tom Thomson Park
Beginner-friendly introduction to the fall night sky
Full Moon viewing through a telescope
Telescope viewing of bright stars and other suitable celestial objects
Opportunity to observe Saturn, if conditions permit
Fall night-sky interpretation
Commemorative collectible event T-shirt

Evening Schedule

5:00–5:30 p.m. – Welcome & Registration
Participant check-in, welcome and event introduction.

5:45 p.m. – Fall Colours & Photography
Enjoy the park's fall colours, waterfront and forest scenery while capturing photographs before sunset.

6:45 p.m. – Sunset Experience & Transition
Enjoy the changing evening landscape as daylight fades and we prepare for the astronomy portion of the program.

7:30 p.m. – Introduction to the Fall Night Sky
A beginner-friendly introduction to the Full Moon, bright stars, constellations and the night sky above South River.

8:00 p.m. – Full Moon & Telescope Viewing Begins
Experience the Full Moon through a telescope and explore other suitable celestial objects.

8:30–11:00 p.m. – Stargazing Experience
Continue exploring the fall night sky through guided telescope viewing. If conditions permit, Saturn may also be observed.

The schedule and telescope targets may be adjusted based on sunset, darkness, weather, cloud cover and observing conditions.

What to Bring

Participants are encouraged to bring:

Phone or camera
Lawn chair or blanket
Warm clothing and layers suitable for a late-September evening
Comfortable footwear
Water or other non-alcoholic beverages

Important Weather Information

This is an outdoor, weather-dependent event.

Telescope viewing and the visibility of the Full Moon, Saturn, stars and other celestial objects depend on weather, cloud cover and atmospheric conditions. Specific telescope targets cannot be guaranteed.

In the event of severe or unsuitable weather, the program may be modified or cancelled for the safety of participants and staff.

Ticket & Cancellation Policy

All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.

If the event is cancelled because of weather, each registered participant will still receive their commemorative collectible event T-shirt.

T-shirts may be picked up from the South River Municipal Office at a designated time or shipped upon request. Additional shipping charges may apply.

By purchasing a ticket, participants acknowledge and accept the outdoor and weather-dependent nature of the event.

Registration

Admission: $25 + applicable taxes and Eventbrite fees

Space is limited to 60 participants. Advance registration is required.

Each registered participant will receive a commemorative collectible Fall Colours, Harvest Moon & Stargazing Experience T-shirt.

Register through Eventbrite:
Fall Colours, Harvest Moon & Stargazing Experience

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Full Sturgeon Moon Telescope Experience

🔭 Family, Kids & Beginner-Friendly Stargazing

Experience the beauty of the Full Sturgeon Moon through a telescope at Tom Thomson Park in South River!

Join us for a fun and educational evening exploring the Moon and discovering the night sky. Participants will have the opportunity to look through a telescope and observe the Moon’s craters, mountains, dark lunar plains, and other fascinating surface features with their own eyes.

No previous astronomy experience is required. This experience is designed for families, children, first-time stargazers, and anyone curious about astronomy and the night sky.

🌟 Junior Astronomer Experience

Every participating child will receive a Junior Astronomer Certificate as a special keepsake from their night of lunar exploration.

📅 Event Details

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Location: 📍 Tom Thomson Park, South River, Ontario
Admission: 🎟️ $10 + applicable taxes and Eventbrite fees
Capacity: 👥 Limited to 60 participants

🔭 What to Expect

🌕 Telescope viewing of the Full Sturgeon Moon
🔭 Explore lunar craters, mountains, and surface features
🌌 Introduction to basic telescope viewing and astronomy
🌟 Junior Astronomer Certificate for participating children
📸 Moon and night-sky photography opportunities
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family and beginner-friendly experience

🌗 Possible Lunar Eclipse Viewing

Depending on the exact astronomical timing, visibility, and weather conditions, participants may also have an opportunity to observe a lunar eclipse during the evening.

Lunar eclipse viewing is a bonus and is not guaranteed. The main experience is guided telescope viewing of the Full Sturgeon Moon.

🎒 What to Bring

Please bring a lawn chair, warm clothing, bug spray, and a red-light flashlight if available. A smartphone or camera is also recommended for capturing memories from the evening.

☁️ Please Note: Telescope and celestial viewing are dependent on weather and sky conditions. The event may be cancelled due to rain, heavy cloud cover, or unsafe weather conditions.

🎟️ Registration

Advance registration is required. Space is limited to 60 participants.

🔗 Register through Eventbrite to secure your spot.

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Experience the Perseid Meteor Shower at Tom Thomson Park

Join us for an unforgettable evening under the stars at Tom Thomson Park in South River, Ontario. This special event offers participants the opportunity to experience one of the year's most spectacular celestial displays, the Perseid Meteor Shower, in a beautiful natural setting.

Event Update: Thank You! All Tickets Are SOLD OUT!

Thank you for your incredible support! The August 12, 2026 Tom Thomson Park Stargazing Experience is now fully booked. If you have already purchased a ticket, we look forward to welcoming you. Visitors travelling to the event can find nearby accommodation options below.

Event Details

📅 Date: August 12, 2026
🕘 Time: 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM
📍 Location: Tom Thomson Park, South River, Ontario
🎟️ Status: Sold Out
👥 Capacity: 30 Participants (Fully Booked)
👕 Commemorative Event T-Shirt Included

Every registered participant will receive this exclusive Tom Thomson Park Stargazing Experience commemorative T-shirt at no additional cost.

What's Included

🔭 Telescope Viewing

☄️ Perseid Meteor Shower Observation

🌌 Guided Night Sky Experience

📸 Night Sky Photography Opportunities

What to Bring

Lawn Chair
Blanket or Warm Clothing
Bug Spray
Camera or Binoculars (Optional)
Red Flashlight (Recommended)

About the Perseid Meteor Shower

The Perseid Meteor Shower is widely regarded as one of the best meteor showers of the year. Produced by debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids create bright streaks of light as they enter Earth's atmosphere at high speed.

August 12, 2026 is expected to be the peak viewing night for the Perseid Meteor Shower, offering some of the best opportunities of the year to observe meteors streaking across the night sky.

Under dark skies, observers may witness dozens of meteors per hour, including occasional bright fireballs that leave glowing trails across the sky.

Tom Thomson Park's natural setting provides an ideal location for enjoying this remarkable celestial event away from major urban light pollution.

See the Perseids in Action

Want to know what to expect?

Watch this short video showcasing the Perseid Meteor Shower:

🎥 Perseid Meteor Shower Video

(Video courtesy of LindemannFilmFotoDrohne. All rights remain with the original creator. Used via YouTube link for educational and informational purposes.)

Why Attend?

Experience one of nature's most impressive celestial events
Learn about the night sky and constellations
Observe celestial objects through a telescope
Enjoy a unique outdoor experience in South River
Create lasting memories under the stars

Planning Your Visit

If you're travelling from outside the area, we encourage you to make accommodation arrangements in advance.

Nearby Accommodation

Visitors can find accommodations at several nearby establishments:

We recommend booking early during the summer season, as accommodations in the Almaguin Highlands can fill quickly.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who registered for this year's event. We are excited to share this spectacular night under the stars with you.

We look forward to welcoming participants to Tom Thomson Park for an unforgettable experience beneath one of Ontario's darkest skies.

If you were unable to secure a ticket, we encourage you to follow the Village of South River on our website and social media for announcements about future stargazing programs, astronomy events, and other tourism experiences.

Note: Even if you weren't able to attend this event, we warmly invite you to visit Tom Thomson Park any time of the year. Relax beneath the stars, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, and experience one of Ontario's darkest night skies. Whether you come to stargaze, take a quiet evening walk, or simply unwind in nature, you are always welcome at Tom Thomson Park.

Need Assistance?

If you require any assistance related to the Tom Thomson Park Stargazing Experience, please feel free to contact:

Tanvir Kabir
Economic Development Officer / Recreation Director
Village of South River
Phone: (705) 386-2573 ext. 107
Email: edo@southriver.ca

We are happy to assist with questions about the event, local accommodations, parking, or other visitor information.