Group Visits

Explore with us

If you’re looking for a fun and educational outing as a group, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you are a group of friends, coworkers, or even residents of a senior centre, we are happy to welcome you to explore the wonders of space.

Self-Guided Group Visits

We offer group pricing for visitors attending our regular daytime or evening programming. These visits are self-guided, and include time in the Cosmic Courtyard gallery, a live science demonstration, and a show in the planetarium.

Planetarium Star Theatre 
Experience the only full-dome, digital projection system in Vancouver! Journey through new discoveries in our universe with our ever changing Planetarium shows. 

GroundStation Canada Theatre
Our live science demonstration theatre offers a unique experience on topics like living and travelling in space, rocketry, and the science of stars. 

Cosmic Courtyard Gallery 
Immerse yourself in our hands-on, space-themed gallery, where you can morph into an alien, and touch an authentic Moon rock or meteorite. 

Add a Workshop for an Interactive Experience

Your group can add on a workshop or a customizable observatory tour for an extra fee to make your visit even more fun and interesting. 

Rocket Science 101
This hands-on workshop gives you and your group a chance to discover more about what makes a rocket fly. Plus, launch your own rockets!
(Program length approximately 60 minutes and is recommended for ages 8+).

Observatory Visit
Discover why astronomers are passionate about the stars. Join us for a special visit to our Gordon Southam Observatory where your group can use our telescopes and have questions answered about the universe around them. (Program length approximately 30 minutes.)

Pricing

Reservations must be booked in advance in order for your group to receive discounted pricing. One group attendant admitted for free per 4 paying guests.

Group Size:

Self-Guided Visits: Minimum 15 people, Maximum 175. 

Rocket Science 101: Minimum 15 people, Maximum 30 (per workshop).

Observatory Visit: Minimum 15 people, Maximum 30 (per tour).

Daytime Standard Package Pricing:

Adult (19-64) $16.25
Senior (65+)  $15.25
Youth (12-18) $15.25
Child (11 and under)  $14.25

Add-On Pricing: 

Observatory Tour Add-On
$4.75 per participant

Rocket Science 101 Add-On
$4.75 per participant

Please Note: A $45.00 maintenance fee is applied to Rocket Science 101 workshops for general room preparation and cleaning in addition to participation fees. 

Evening Standard Package Pricing (includes a show in the Planetarium Star Theatre):

Adult (19-64) $16.25
Senior (65+)  $15.25
Youth (12-18) $15.25
Child (11 and under)  $14.25

Booking Changes/Cancellation Policy
A $25.00 fee applies to all booking changes/cancellations made 7 or more days’ notice prior to confirmed event date.
A $50.00 fee applies to all booking changes/cancellations made less than 7 days notice prior to confirmed event date.

Cosmic Birthday Parties

Give your child a unique birthday that’s out of this world. Host their party at the Space Centre!

Choose one of our birthday party packages and enjoy a show in the planetarium and take part in other space themed activities with your group.

Programs last approximately 3 hours.

Packages:

Mission to Mars (Age 7+)
Do you and your friends want to be the first human Martians? Head off to Mars for your birthday! Learn what it takes to live in space so when you ‘land’ on Mars you are ready for adventure. NOTE: This is an experience better suited for younger children but has enough depth if older children are particularly keen on the topic.

Includes:
Our Martian Neighbourhood show in the planetarium 
Day in Space live demonstration in the GroundStation Canada Theatre
– Mission patch activity in Cosmic Courtyard gallery
Time for opening presents will also be included.

Rocket to Mars (Age 10+)
Have you ever wanted to know what it takes to be an astronaut? Head off to Mars for your birthday! You will build and launch your own rockets, and explore Mars and its surrounding neighbourhood. NOTE: This is not an experience suitable for children under 10 years as it involves using hot glue guns.

Includes:
Our Martian Neighbourhood show in the planetarium show
– Rocket construction workshop and launch
Time for opening presents will also be included.

Timing:
This program is booked in the late afternoon for 3:30pm. The program lasts approximately three hours.

Price:
$39.00 per child plus applicable taxes. Adults $19.50 each.

Group Size:
A minimum group size of 15 children can be accommodated in this program, and a maximum of 30 children and adults.

A $90.00 maintenance fee (general room preparation, furniture set-up and take-down, and cleaning) applies to all birthday parties in addition to attendee fees.

Birthday Party FAQ's

Overnight Adventures

Book your group for an Overnight Adventure and sleepover at the Space Centre! Learn about the night sky in the planetarium, catch a live science demonstration, and build a bottle rocket. In the morning a light breakfast is served followed by rocket launching.

This program is for children in grades 4 to 7, or the ages of 7 to 14 for community groups (eg. Scouts and Guides). Children must be accompanied by adult chaperones for the entire program.

Programming and activities run for approximately 3 hours in total.

Overnight Adventures

Program Includes
– an overnight stay at the Space Centre
– time to explore our Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space
– a live science demonstration
– a hands-on rocket building workshop and launch
– a tour of the observatory
– an orientation to the night sky in the planetarium star theatre
– evening snack and light breakfast

Group Size
A minimum group size of 15 can be accommodated in this program, maximum of 60 including chaperones.

Age Range: 7 – 14 (check out our Not-Quite-An-Overnight program for younger children)

Program availability: Any night of the week (Note we are also open to the public on Wednesday and Friday evenings).

Program run time: 7:00pm – 9:00am

Program Pricing:
Child/Youth: $65.00 (1 adult per 4 children is admitted for free. We ask that groups attend with that 1 to 4 ratio for safety reasons).
Additional adults: $32.50

Please note: A $90.00 maintenance fee (general preparation and cleaning) applies in addition to attendee fees.

Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $250.00 is required upon booking.

Booking Changes/Cancellation Policy
A $25.00 fee applies to all booking changes/cancellations made with 7 or more days’ notice prior to confirmed event date.
A $50.00 fee applies to all booking changes/cancellations made with less than 7 days’ notice prior to confirmed event date.

For more information contact our bookings office at (604) 738-7827 ext. 241 or [email protected]

Not-Quite-An-Overnight Adventure

Can’t stay for a sleepover? Book your group for a Not-Quite-An-Overnight Adventure and visit the Space Centre after we are closed to the public. Learn about the night sky in the planetarium, catch a live science demonstration and build and launch a bottle rocket.

This program is for children in grades 4 to 7, or the ages of 6 to 14 for community groups (eg. Scouts and Guides). Children must be accompanied by adult chaperones.

Program Includes
– time to explore our Cosmic Courtyard exhibit space
– an orientation to the night sky in the planetarium star theatre
– a hands-on rocket building workshop and launch
– a tour of the observatory
– a live science demonstration

Group Size
A minimum group size of 15 can be accommodated in this program, maximum of 60 including chaperones.

Age Range: 6 – 14

Program availability: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings (programs not available on Wednesday or Friday evenings as we are open to the public)

Program run time: 6:00pm – 9:45pm

Program Pricing
Child/Youth: $39.00 (1 adult per 4 children is admitted for free)
Additional adults: $16.25

Please Note: $45.00 maintenance fee (general room preparation and cleaning) applies in addition to attendee fees.

Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $150.00 is required upon booking.

Booking Changes/Cancellation Policy
A $25.00 fee applies to all booking changes/cancellations made with 7 or more days’ notice prior to confirmed event date.
A $50.00 fee applies to all booking changes/cancellations made with less than 7 days’ notice prior to confirmed event date.

For more information contact our bookings office at (604) 738-7827 ext. 241 or [email protected].