Private Groups - Manfred Olson Planetarium

EXPERIENCE a live presentation that includes one of the show topics below and a tour of the night sky.

Reserve Your Show

Fees & General Information

In Person at the Planetarium for 60 minutes
• Non-school groups: $175
• School groups: $75
Virtual Session for 30 minutes
• Non-school groups: $100
• School groups: $50
Duration: 60 minutes (in person) or 30 minutes (virtual)
In-Person Seating: Up to 75 people
Reservations: At least two weeks prior to your visit.
Age Levels: See Show Topics below for age-appropriate shows. Our presentations are not appropriate for children younger than four years old.

Specific Groups

Reserve a show today!

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Show Topics

Wonders of Day & Night | Ages 4–7
Blast off to the International Space Station where we investigate what causes night and day. Experience what night and day are like on other planets such as Mars.
Solar System Expedition | Ages 6+
Explore the solar system and marvel at the Sun’s powerful flares, Jupiter’s swirling storms, and Saturn’s intriguing moons. Travel to the icy worlds of the Kuiper Belt and behold the latest discoveries from Juno and New Horizons.
Life of a Star | Ages 10+
Marvel at the dramatic changes of stars as they transform from stellar nurseries to exotic objects such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. Discover how stars fused the chemical elements in our bodies.
Moving to Mars | Ages 10+
Explore what we have learned about Mars, especially the potential for life on the red planet and the obstacles we need to overcome to send humans to Mars in the 2040s.
Northern Lights | Ages 10+
Enjoy the radiance of the night sky and colorful displays of dancing lights with a behind-the-scenes tour of the science behind one of nature’s most remarkable light shows.
NASA’s SOFIA | Ages 10+
Planetarium Director Dr. Jean Creighton will share her experiences spending 20 hours in the stratosphere on NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)—the largest moving observatory in the world.
Scale of the Universe | Ages 14+
Our Earth belongs to the solar system, which is part of the Milky Way galaxy. This galaxy is one of trillions of galaxies in the universe. Using amazing visuals, Jean Creighton will help you grasp the size of the cosmos in an enlightening and accessible way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Our live, public events are open to everyone. For a full list of events see our Calendar. We also book private reservations for schools and other groups.

We do not have set opening hours. We are open during public events and by private reservation.

Our live programs, which include stargazing and questions, typically run approximately 60 minutes.

Please click here for parking instructions and map or visit Plan Your Visit for more information.

We accept checks, cash, and credit cards.

You can purchase a membership online, by mail (PDF), or in person before a public show.

We can seat 75 people.

Yes! We recommend that your child is four years or older and comfortable to sit in their own chair in the dark.

Yes! Visit the Plan Your Visit page to see maps and more information.

On a clear night, stargazing is held on the 5th-floor observing deck of the UWM Physics building. For the schedule of dates and more information, see Stargazing.

For general inquiries, email us at planetarium@uwm.edu. Visit Contact Us for other ways to reach us.

We ask that you stay seated until the end of the show because opening the door will ruin the beautiful dark sky for the rest of the visitors. Visitors are encouraged to use the restroom in advance.

Our planetarium is indoors. We suggest that you dress in layers because sometimes the theater can be too warm or too cold. We also ask that you avoid light-up shoes.

Plan your visit

This event was amazing. I have fallen in love with the planetarium and wish I would have visited the space sooner. Thank you for all that you guys did to help out. I am truly blown away.

Mallory