Entry No. 66 — the Boulder file — filed under: after-dark
Fiske Planetarium Late-Night Laser Shows
Fiske is the largest planetarium between Chicago and Los Angeles, and on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights its 8K dome and 10-million-star MegaStar projector get hijacked for laser and 'liquid sky' music shows. The lineup runs from Laser Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon and the Beatles to Tame Impala, Odesza, Daft Punk, and Billie Eilish, rendered in lasers across the tilted dome with full surround sound. Late shows push to 9 and 10pm; tickets are about $12 for adults.
The story
Most days, Fiske Planetarium fulfills its noble duty as an academic crown jewel on CU Boulder's campus. Sitting at 2414 Regent Drive, it houses an 8K resolution tilted dome and a 10-million-star MegaStar projector, making it the largest planetarium between Chicago and Los Angeles. It was built for serious astronomical research and lectures, but late in the week, the high-minded astrophysics step aside.
On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, the facility's massive dome and surround-sound system get hijacked for late-night laser and 'liquid sky' music shows. Instead of deep-space lectures, technicians beam vibrant vector graphics and fluid light sequences tailored to iconic discographies, ranging from classic staples like Laser Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon and The Beatles to modern runs featuring Daft Punk, Gorillaz, Tame Impala, Odesza, and Billie Eilish.
What it's like
Head up to University Hill about 30 minutes before showtime when the box office opens, though booking ahead on their Vantix ticketing portal is the smartest move. Once inside the theater, you'll sink into deep reclining seats arranged under the tilted dome screen as the house lights kill down to pitch black. Late-night shows push to 9 and 10 p.m., pulling in a chill crowd of students, music nerds, and night owls zoning out to full surround sound and liquid light overhead. For the best angle without craning your neck, claim a row midway up the dome.
The move: Buy tickets to a 9 or 10pm Laser Floyd show, lean your seats back under the tilted dome, and let the lasers and surround sound wash over you both.
📍 Before you go Late laser shows run Thu-Sat; check the Vantix ticketing calendar for the night's lineup, and the box office opens 30 minutes before showtime.
- 📍 University Hill, Boulder
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 2414 Regent Dr, Boulder, CO 80309
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Sommers-Bausch Observatory Friday Open Houses — Double down on late-night campus astronomy by heading over to the open house next door to peer through 20-inch telescopes after your laser show.
- The Sink — Grab a burger and a craft beer inside Boulder's oldest basement bar on The Hill before walking down Regent Drive for the 9 p.m. dome set.
- Columbia Cemetery — Start your evening with a dusk stroll through Boulder's 1870 burial ground down the road before heading into the dark planetarium dome.
Good to know
When do the late-night laser shows happen?
Late laser and liquid sky shows run every week on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with late showtimes starting at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.
How much are tickets and how do I get them?
Adult tickets are around $12. You can buy them through the planetarium's Vantix online ticketing calendar or at the box office, which opens 30 minutes before showtime.
Where is Fiske Planetarium located?
The planetarium is located on the CU Boulder campus on University Hill, at 2414 Regent Dr, Boulder, CO 80309.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: colorado.edu · Wikipedia · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-23