Newsroom

Celebrate the holidays at the Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium with special seasonal stars shows and laser concerts for all ages. The Planetarium’s upcoming holiday programs include:

The Alien Who Stole Christmas, Saturdays, December 6, 13, 20, 3 p.m.

Discover the stars visible in the winter sky. Then, follow Santa on a trip through the solar system when a friendly alien kidnaps him. The kids on the other planets also need presents. (Recommended for ages 6-10)

View the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTeLS6veKfE

Winter Wonder Lights laser concert, Saturdays, December 6, 13, 20,  4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Listen to holiday hits such as “Wizards in Winter,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and “Dominic the Donkey” while lasers “dance” on the dome overhead. (Recommended for ages 6-adult)

The Christmas Star, Saturdays, December 13 & 20, 7 p.m.

Over the years, many people have tried to explain the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem as described in the Bible. Was it an exploding star, a comet, or some other natural event in the sky? The program features a discussion of potential natural explanations for the Star of Bethlehem and common modern-day misconceptions, and also offers a brief tour of the current night sky. (Recommended for ages 10-adult)

In addition to the holiday favorites, the Planetarium’s December shows include:

•    The Sky Above, a 45-minute, sensory-friendly program that’s specially designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum or those with developmental disabilities: Saturday, December 6, at 5 p.m.

•    Astronomy Tonight, featuring a tour of the night sky. Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory, located just outside the Planetarium, will be open after the show: Saturday, December 6, at 7 p.m.

•    Sunset Meditation, a guided meditation experience in the Planetarium’s comfortable, reclined seats: Friday, December 12, at 7 p.m.

For a complete list and schedule of RVCC Planetarium star shows and laser concerts open to the public, visit https://www.raritanval.edu/planetarium/public-shows.

Planetarium tickets cost $11 for one show, $20 for two shows back-to-back on the same day. Reservations are recommended, but all ticket sales are done at the door on the day of the show. Late admission to Planetarium shows is not permitted. For reservations and information, call 908-231-8805 or email planet@raritanval.edu. For additional information, visit www.raritanval.edu/planetarium. The Planetarium will be closed December 24, 2025-January 2, 2026. Public shows will resume on Saturday, January 3, 2026.

Planetarium laser shows include loud music, flashing lights, and rapidly moving graphics, all in a dark environment, and therefore may not be recommended for those who are sensitive to these conditions or have a medical condition that could be exacerbated by them.

RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 13, 2025

PR #42