Night Hike: Winter Solstice Special

Enjoy a night hike at the Wilderness Center during the longest night of the year. Learn about the history of the winter solstice and why it is celebrated. Also enjoy a special holiday planetarium show before the hike.

Bring your red-light flashlight – white lights are not allowed on the trails at night. Don’t have a red-light flashlight? Bring your flashlight and we can make it red for you.  Hiking boots and weather appropriate attire are recommended.

Planetarium Show Description:

Join us for this seasonal favorite. Explore the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice — not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi. Learn how these ancient rituals changed over time to become many of the world's most endearing Christmas and New Year’s holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season — from the burning Yule log, festive Christmas tree lights and sparkling candles in windows, to the lighting of luminarias and setting off fireworks in the American Southwest and the traditional ritual lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah.

After your show, weather permitting, join the Astronomy Club in TWC’s observatory to enjoy what the winter night sky has to offer through our telescopes.  If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you’ll tour the night sky in the planetarium after the holiday special show.