The Elan Valley Trust has unveiled plans for its first ever Elan Dark Sky Festival, a landmark celebration marking more than a decade since the area achieved prestigious International Dark Sky status. This pioneering event, set to illuminate locations across the Elan Valley and Rhayader in late March 2026, aims to highlight the critical importance of preserving dark skies for wildlife, conservation efforts, and human wellbeing.
A Stellar Programme of Celestial Events
The festival offers a diverse mix of drop-in activities and ticketed events designed to captivate audiences of all ages and interests. The celestial celebrations commence on Friday, March 27th, with an exciting nocturnal creature walk and talk led by Sorcha Lewis, followed by a unique dark sky bike ride with cycling expert Pippa Boss. Evening entertainment includes a mesmerising starlit concert featuring musicians Toby Hay and Holly Blackshaw, alongside a creative light painting photography workshop with artist Dafydd Wyn Morgan. The night concludes with free drop-in stargazing sessions at the Claerwen car park, hosted by the Elan Valley Trust's dedicated dark sky team.
Saturday's Galactic Adventures
Saturday, March 28th, transforms the Elan Valley visitor centre into Mission Control: Elan Dark Skies, offering a spectacular array of free, family-friendly activities throughout the day. Visitors can engage in solar observing with First Light Optics and participate in astro-archaeology craft sessions provided by Timescape Archaeology. A special highlight includes a live video link showcasing the dark skies of New Zealand through a telescope, accompanied by an insightful astronomy talk from renowned New Zealand astronomer Gareth Davies.
For those seeking an immersive experience, three planetarium shows at CARAD in Rhayader will offer virtual tours through the galaxy. Young people from Radnorshire are invited to a lantern-making workshop with artist Zoe Matthews, creating beautiful structures for a magical lantern procession scheduled for Saturday evening.
Evening Under the Stars
As dusk falls on Saturday, attendees can join a fascinating nocturnal walk focusing on bats, birds, and moths, followed by the enchanting lantern procession. The evening continues with astronomer Rob Davies delivering a talk over dinner at Tŷ Penbont, while captivating storyteller Mair Tomos Ifans shares ancient tales about the moon, stars, and the night sky. To conclude the festival, Rob Davies and Sam Price will host an exclusive stargazing workshop for a small group at the Cosmic Cwtch.
A Legacy of Dark Sky Protection
The Elan Valley's commitment to preserving its pristine night skies was formally recognised in June 2015 when it was awarded International Dark Sky Park status with a silver-tier designation by the International Dark Sky Association. This prestigious accolade ensures the protection of all 45,000 acres of the Elan Valley from light pollution, benefiting residents, workers, and the thousands of annual visitors. The status also provides a vital sanctuary for the area's abundant wildlife and natural habitats, which thrive under the cover of darkness. Today, the Elan Valley is globally acknowledged as one of the premier stargazing destinations worldwide.
The full festival programme is now available for viewing and booking. The event runs on Friday, March 27th, from 5:45 PM to 11:00 PM, and on Saturday, March 28th, from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Key venues include the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, Tŷ Penbont, CARAD, Lost Arc, and the Cosmic Cwtch, all situated within the Elan Valley and Rhayader area.
