About
Griffith Observatory School Programs take place in a hybrid public observatory, planetarium, and exhibition space that includes the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, public telescopes, exhibits, and south-facing terraces. The programs are part of a free-admission public facility that offers daily programs such as live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, live Tesla Coil demonstrations, and public telescope observing, along with recurring events like public star parties, All Space Considered, and the Sunset Walk-and-Talk.
• Ages: 10–11 years old
• Schedule: Weekday options Tuesday–Friday during open hours, with additional weekend options when the facility is open
• Price: The Observatory is a free-admission, public facility.
Since opening in 1935, Griffith Observatory has welcomed over 85 million visitors, and more than 18 million people have seen a live program in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. More people, about 8 million, have looked through the Observatory’s Zeiss 12-inch refracting telescope than through any other telescope on Earth, and free public telescope viewing is available each evening when skies are clear and the building is open. Griffith Observatory is a national leader in public astronomy, is one of the most popular informal education facilities in the United States, and is the most-visited public observatory in the world. The Observatory is owned and operated as a public service by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, with additional support from the Griffith Observatory Foundation, and it partners with local telescope groups for monthly public star parties. The Observatory’s mission is stated as inspiring everyone to observe, ponder, and understand the sky, and its monthly magazine, the Griffith Observer, was established in 1937 and contains popular astronomy articles and information about activities and events. Families and schools must make an advance reservation for a fifth-grade class to participate in any of the in-person or online school programs, availability is very limited, the program is always oversubscribed, and reservations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Last updated June 26, 2026.
• Ages: 10–11 years old
• Schedule: Weekday options Tuesday–Friday during open hours, with additional weekend options when the facility is open
• Price: The Observatory is a free-admission, public facility.
Since opening in 1935, Griffith Observatory has welcomed over 85 million visitors, and more than 18 million people have seen a live program in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. More people, about 8 million, have looked through the Observatory’s Zeiss 12-inch refracting telescope than through any other telescope on Earth, and free public telescope viewing is available each evening when skies are clear and the building is open. Griffith Observatory is a national leader in public astronomy, is one of the most popular informal education facilities in the United States, and is the most-visited public observatory in the world. The Observatory is owned and operated as a public service by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, with additional support from the Griffith Observatory Foundation, and it partners with local telescope groups for monthly public star parties. The Observatory’s mission is stated as inspiring everyone to observe, ponder, and understand the sky, and its monthly magazine, the Griffith Observer, was established in 1937 and contains popular astronomy articles and information about activities and events. Families and schools must make an advance reservation for a fifth-grade class to participate in any of the in-person or online school programs, availability is very limited, the program is always oversubscribed, and reservations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Last updated June 26, 2026.
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