Planetarium Nights

Overview

There's nothing like watching a film at the planetarium, but it's something most of us don't do all that often. Daytime sessions cater to school groups — and in the years that the Melbourne International Film Festival has hosted a fulldome program, it's only been for a few sessions. Thankfully, Scienceworks' late-night series changes that.

Every Friday evening in September and October 2024, once the planetarium's usual working day is done, adults can have some after-hours fun in the venue's impressive space. That means sitting in the reclining chairs, looking up at the 16-metre domed ceiling, listening to the 7.1 surround-sound system and soaking in the best the fulldome video projection system has to offer.

In September, the Planetarium's Friday-night program is exploring the relationship between humans and frosty climes during the 7.30pm session, thanks to a fulldome film called Worlds of Ice. Then, at 9pm, it's time to get lost in Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, which is back by popular demand.

October's lineup features Black Holes — Journey into the Unknown in the early slot, and the MC Escher-style XYZZY in the late timing.

Making things even better is the fact that the whole thing is boozy, so you can grab a drink from the bar, take it into the auditorium and sip while you watch.