Comet Watch: C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS)
2026-04-10 19:00 - 21:00 (Asia/Karachi) | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Join us at the Heide Observatory for a Comet Watch as we observe Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS), a distant icy visitor from the outer solar system making a rare pass through the inner night sky. During this guided observing session, guests will learn what comets are made of, where they come from, and why their brightness and visibility can change rapidly from night to night.
To maximize our viewing opportunity, we will take a short guided walk to the upper prairie, where we will watch for the comet low in the western sky shortly after sunset as it sets. This portion of the event will focus on naked-eye and binocular-style observing, as the comet’s low altitude and wide field make it better suited to broad sky viewing rather than high-magnification telescope use. Binoculars will be available to help improve our chances of spotting the comet, and we will guide guests on exactly where to look along the horizon.
After the comet sets, guests will return to the observatory for views through our 17-inch telescope, exploring some of the best deep-sky objects visible that evening and enjoying a guided tour of the stars overhead.
Because comets are dynamic and unpredictable, the exact appearance of C/2025 R3 may evolve leading up to the event, making each viewing a unique snapshot in time of an object billions of years old.

🔔 Important Event Information — Evening Event (Spring/Fall Seasons)
Weather-Dependent Event: This program requires clear skies. If cloud cover greater than 40% is forecast, the event will be canceled or rescheduled. Notification will be sent by email no later than 24 hours before the scheduled start time.
Email Communication Is Critical: All event updates, including weather cancellations or schedule changes are sent to the email address used at ticket checkout. Please ensure your email is entered correctly and check spam or promotions folders. If tickets were purchased using an email you do not regularly monitor, you may miss important updates.
Comfort Reminder: This is an outdoor observing event, and guests are encouraged to bring a blanket and/or warm clothing for comfort during viewing.
Questions? Contact us at observatory@hawthornhollow.org.

Wednesday Under the Stars
2026-04-15 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-04-29 20:30 - 22:30, 2026-05-06 20:30 - 22:30, 2026-05-13 20:30 - 22:30, 2026-05-20 20:30 - 22:30, 2026-05-20 21:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-27 20:30 - 22:30, 2026-05-27 21:00 - 23:00 | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Enjoy a relaxing evening at Wednesday Under the Stars, hosted at the picturesque Heide Observatory. Settle into a zero-gravity chair with your favorite beverage and embark on an unforgettable journey through the night sky as our expert guides use laser pointers to highlight stars, planets, constellations, and galaxies above. Listen to the captivating stories behind these celestial wonders while you unwind beneath the vast, glittering cosmos. Events are weather-dependent and will be rescheduled by email 24 hours in advance if cloud cover exceeds 40%, and guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.

Through the Lens
2026-04-16 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-04-23 20:30 - 22:30, 2026-04-30 20:30 - 22:30, 2026-05-07 20:30 - 22:30, 2026-05-14 20:30 - 22:30, 2026-05-21 20:30 - 22:30, 2026-05-28 20:30 - 22:30 | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Experience the awe-inspiring Through the Lens event at The Heide Observatory, where celestial wonders come to life as you peer through our powerful 17-inch telescope to observe binary stars, distant planets, and shimmering galaxies. While awaiting your turn inside the dome, join our knowledgeable guides outdoors for a laser-assisted sky tour, connecting what you see through the lens with the vast panorama of the night sky. Events are weather-dependent and will be rescheduled by email 24 hours in advance if cloud cover exceeds 40%, and guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.

Small Eyes Under the Skies
2026-04-17 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-04-24 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-01 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-08 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-15 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-22 19:30 - 21:00 | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Join us for Small Eyes Under the Skies at The Heide Observatory, a family-friendly astronomy adventure that begins with an interactive walk through a scale model of our solar system across the meadow and concludes with a telescope viewing of planets and other celestial wonders. Events are weather permitting and will be rescheduled if cloud cover exceeds 40%; look for a confirmation email at least 24 hours before the event. For group or family rate discounts, contact observatory@hawthornhollow.org, and please dress appropriately for an outdoor trek through the “solar system” field.

Lyrid Lightshow I
2026-04-22 20:00 - 22:00 | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Wednesday, April 22 (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm)
Join us at the Heide Observatory for the Lyrid Lightshow, a classic spring meteor shower known for fast-moving meteors and the occasional bright fireball. The Lyrids originate from debris left behind by Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), which Earth passes through each April as it orbits the Sun. While the Lyrids do not produce the high hourly rates of some summer meteor showers, they reward patient observers with quick, sharp streaks that can appear anywhere across the sky, often flashing suddenly rather than leaving long trails. Tickets include the use of our anti-gravity chairs, allowing guests to relax comfortably while observing. For best viewing, guests are encouraged to face away from artificial lights, allow their eyes time to adjust to the darkness, and scan large areas of the sky rather than focusing on a single point. Observatory staff will share tips on where to look, explain why meteor activity can vary throughout the night, and discuss how comet debris creates these fleeting streaks of light. Meteors are unpredictable by nature, and viewing success depends on sky darkness and atmospheric conditions, but even a handful of sightings can make for a memorable experience under the stars.

Lyrid Lightshow II
2026-04-22 22:15 - 2026-04-23 00:15 | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Wednesday, April 22 (10:15 pm – 12:15 am)
Join us at the Heide Observatory for the Lyrid Lightshow, a classic spring meteor shower known for fast-moving meteors and the occasional bright fireball. The Lyrids originate from debris left behind by Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), which Earth passes through each April as it orbits the Sun. While the Lyrids do not produce the high hourly rates of some summer meteor showers, they reward patient observers with quick, sharp streaks that can appear anywhere across the sky, often flashing suddenly rather than leaving long trails. Tickets include the use of our anti-gravity chairs, allowing guests to relax comfortably while observing. For best viewing, guests are encouraged to face away from artificial lights, allow their eyes time to adjust to the darkness, and scan large areas of the sky rather than focusing on a single point. Observatory staff will share tips on where to look, explain why meteor activity can vary throughout the night, and discuss how comet debris creates these fleeting streaks of light. Meteors are unpredictable by nature, and viewing success depends on sky darkness and atmospheric conditions, but even a handful of sightings can make for a memorable experience under the stars.

Arboretum Cleanup
2026-04-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Help us celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Week at our Arboretum Cleanup Volunteer Day on Friday, April 24 at 10 am!
For more info, please email Nicole, our Conservation Land Manager at nicole@hawthornhollow.org!

Hike for Hawthorn Hollow - Earth Weeks 2026
2026-04-26 14:00 - 16:00 | WI
Rescheduled for 4/26/2026 due to flooding. Celebrate Earth Week with a family-friendly 3.5k hike through the heart of Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary (including NEW trails)! Explore a rich variety of native ecosystems, from open prairie and wetlands to conifer and hardwood forests, while stamping your very own Habitat Passport along the way. Every participant receives a 2026 Hawthorn Hollow Earth Week sticker and a 2.21-mile car sticker to commemorate the journey. The hike concludes at the Nature Center, where you’ll learn more about Earth Day, Wisconsin conservation efforts, and how Hawthorn Hollow protects the land and wildlife you just explored. All proceeds directly support conservation and education at Hawthorn Hollow.
*Please note: this is an intermediate-level hike that includes uneven terrain and multiple trail surfaces. Strollers cannot be accommodated. We recommend dressing for the weather and wearing appropriate footwear for outdoor conditions.
*This event is held rain or shine. For the safety of participants, Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify the event due to severe or unsafe weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of cancellation or schedule changes, tickets are non-refundable, except for purchases that include the optional purchase protection at checkout.

Free Bird Walk with Hoy Audubon Society
2026-04-30 17:30 - 19:00 | Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
April 30, May 7, 14 & 21 at 5:30 pm
Bring your binoculars and explore the trails of Hawthorn Hollow with a birding expert and see what native and migratory feathered friends you find!
This program does not require registration. Please show up before 5:30pm and meet in front of our Nature Center. This is a free event, but trail donations are graciously accepted.
A huge thank you to Wild Birds Unlimited and Hoy Audubon Society for supporting these walks and our Birding Series, featuring FREE bird talks in May and June! For more info or to register, please visit https://hawthornhollow.ticketspice.com/for-the-birds.
The Hoy Audubon Society will be holding free bird walks Thursdays in May (up to and including the 21st) at 5:30.

Spring Blooms
2026-04-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Celebrate the beauty of spring with us at Hawthorn Hollow! Join a guided hike through the forest as we discover blooming spring ephemerals and observe the seasonal changes all around us. After the walk, get creative with a hands-on flower pounding activity to make your own unique floral keepsake.
This event is FREE, donations gratefully accepted. Registration required.
Come enjoy an evening of nature, learning, and creativity -we’d love to see you there!

Time Travel Through the Universe
2026-05-15 21:00 - 23:00 | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
When you gaze up at the night sky, beyond the veil of stars and the glowing plane of the Milky Way, you are also looking backward in time. Join us at the Heide Observatory for Time Travel Through the Universe, an evening dedicated to exploring how distance in space becomes a journey into the past. Although nearly all galaxies are invisible to the naked eye, our observable universe contains hundreds of billions of them, stretching tens of billions of light-years in every direction. Using our 17-inch telescope, we will tour visible galaxies and explain how the light reaching your eyes began its journey millions of years ago. Even the Andromeda Galaxy, the most distant object most people can see without optical aid, appears to us as it existed 2.5 million years ago, long before modern humans walked the Earth. This guided observing experience blends deep-sky viewing with cosmic perspective, revealing how astronomy allows us to witness the universe as it once was.

Night Hike 5/27
2026-05-27 19:30 - 20:30 | WI
Come experience the (dark) sights and (sometimes creepy) sounds of The Hollow at night during this unique opportunity! We will be travelling some of our many trails, searching for nocturnal animals, and appreciating nature from a new perspective with guidance from our naturalist Ryan Retzke.

This program is for families and adults. It is a 60-minute outdoor guided hike, so please dress for the weather!

$12 per person (kids under 3 are free).

No refunds unless the event is canceled. Registration is required! Please register with an email address you check often to ensure you receive instructions or updates.
Night Hikes 2026
