Arts & Performance at Yerkes

Experience music, storytelling, and creative work set within one of the most unique spaces in the region.

Where Art Takes Shape

At Yerkes, the observatory becomes a stage. Rooms, halls, and even the dome take on new energy through performance and creative work.

Experience Live Performances

From concerts in the dome to intimate talks and readings, each event brings a different energy into the space.

Hear New Perspectives

Writers, scientists, and speakers share ideas that connect science, culture, and everyday life.

See the Space Differently

Lighting, sound, and performance shift how the observatory feels, turning familiar spaces into something new.

Be Part of the Moment

Each event happens in real time, shaped by the people in the room and the setting around them.

Tours & Events

See What's On

Events at Yerkes bring together artists, performers, and thinkers from across disciplines.

SOLD OUT – Open Houses

Our Open Houses are sold out for 2026. Check back for more info in 2027! Hands-on discovery for all ages. Interactive demonstrations, themed evenings, and joyful exploration across science, nature, history, and the arts.

Director’s Hidden Spaces

Wind through staircases, corridors, and tucked-away rooms rarely open to the public. A behind-the-scenes look at the observatory few get to see.

Space & Spaces Tour

Stand beneath the world’s largest refracting telescope. Explore sweeping architecture and the human stories that shaped modern astronomy.

Frostlights

Yerkes transforms into a winter galaxy of light and sound inside the architectural masterpiece dome housing the world’s largest lens telescope.

For Artists and Performers

Bring Your Work to Yerkes

Yerkes welcomes artists, performers, and collaborators who want to create work in a setting that offers something different. The observatory provides a backdrop that supports music, performance, visual art, and interdisciplinary projects.