2026 I Heart Pluto Festival: Four Days of Science, History, and Celebration
Flagstaff, Arizona –
Lowell Observatory is proud to present the 2026 I Heart Pluto Festival, a four-day celebration honoring the discovery of Pluto and the enduring spirit of exploration that continues to define Flagstaff’s scientific community. From February 12–16, guests can enjoy a dynamic lineup of talks, activities, special events, and community partnerships that highlight Pluto’s legacy and its deep ties to northern Arizona.
The festival begins Thursday, February 12, with a dual event: the dedication of Ad Astra, this year’s Pluto-themed beer created by Mother Road Brewing Company, followed by a special edition of Astronomy on Tap. Beginning at 6 p.m., guests will hear from Mother Road’s team about the inspiration behind the brew before raising a toast to Pluto, Route 66, and Lowell Observatory. At 6:30 p.m., Astronomy on Tap welcomes Lowell Observatory’s Dark Sky Planetarium Specialist Stoker Stoker, presenting Cultural Icons: Pluto, Route 66, and How They Connect Us, an exploration of the surprising parallels between America’s most famous highway and the icy world at the edge of the solar system. Trivia and prizes round out the evening.
On Friday, February 13, the popular Pluto Pub Crawl returns from 6–9 p.m., featuring nine downtown Flagstaff venues. Each location will be hosted by a Lowell staff member or guest astronomer, offering participants a chance to enjoy local brews while learning about Pluto and its history.
The festival’s signature event, Night of Discovery, takes place Saturday, February 14 at the historic Orpheum Theater from 5–9 p.m. The evening opens with a VIP reception featuring meet-and-greets, poster signings, space art displays from the International Astronomical Artists Association, and telescope viewing through a 16-inch instrument built by Pluto discoverer Clyde Tombaugh. At 7 p.m., host Dr. Amanda Bosh, Executive Director of Lowell Observatory, will welcome the public program, which includes remarks from local leaders, partners, and community organizations. To purchase tickets, visit https://wl.eventim.us/event/i-heart-pluto/669647?afflky=OrpheumTheater.
The keynote program, sponsored by UniSource Energy Services, features an extraordinary lineup of speakers: Dr. Alan Stern, Principal Investigator of NASA’s New Horizons mission and astronaut; Dr. Chad Trujillo, co-discoverer of the dwarf planet Eris; Andy Chaikin, acclaimed author of A Man on the Moon; and Dave Eicher, Emeritus Editor in Chief of Astronomy magazine, who will moderate the discussion. Additional presentations include a Route 66–themed poem by Christopher Fox Graham (Editor of Sedona Red Rock News) and a Pluto-Route 66 talk by Stoker Stoker.
On Sunday, February 15, the festival continues at Lowell Observatory’s Universe Theater with a full afternoon of science talks. Topics include exoplanet discovery, planetary defense, Pluto’s geology, and the extreme atmospheres of exo-Jupiters, presented by public astronomer Dean Regas and Lowell scientists Dr. Alex Polanski, Dr. Nick Moskovitz, Dr. Will Grundy, and Dr. James Sikora.
The celebration concludes Monday, February 16 with Pluto’s Birthday Bash at Lowell Observatory. From noon to 8 p.m., families can enjoy crafts, activities, face painting, special Pluto-themed tours, and talks about the New Horizons mission and icy worlds of the outer solar system.
For details about the 2026 I Heart Pluto Festival, see iheartpluto.org.
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About Lowell Observatory
Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell’s astronomers utilize global ground-based and space telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes.
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Media Contact
Kevin Schindler, Public Information Officer
(928) 233-3210