Welcome to the
Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium
SHOW SCHEDULE
Combining interactive astronomy education, spectacular public shows, and telescope viewing opportunities, the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium is Kansas City’s greatest connection to the night sky and beyond.
FACILITY
- Dual-4K laser projection
- 5,015 ft² dome — biggest screen in KC
- Cutting-edge RSA Cosmos universe simulation
- 5.1 surround sound
- Adjustable seating capacity up to 120
- Fully accessible with ramps, companion seating, booster seats, and giant bean-bag chairs
SAFETY
- Food and drink are not permitted
- Strollers must be parked outside theater
- No late entry; doors locked from outside for safety once show starts
- Absolutely NO re-entry during shows
Limited Time Only!
Saturday May 9th & Sunday May 10th
Pottery Under the Stars: Spring Edition
Join us for “Pottery Under the Stars: Spring Edition” where art and astronomy will collide in this meditative, hands-on Star Tour at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium! In celebration of the Spring season and Mother’s Day, build either an air-dry clay tulip or a pinch pot with local artist Caroline, as we tour the sky in search of constellations that have inspired artists for thousands of years.
For this special tour of the season’s night sky, we explore how people across time and space have immortalized their stories of the stars in clay; from an ancient cuneiform tablet that solved a centuries old mystery to a contemporary artist facing the darkness of the universe through her work. As we go, participants will form their clay pots almost entirely in the dark, encouraging a deeper awareness of the sense of touch. Participants will be able to take their creations home to air-dry and paint if desired, or may recycle the clay at the end of the event.
No clay experience needed! Tickets required for all guests, ages 5+ only please. Materials provided with cost of admission. A small selection of the artist’s handmade vases and other pottery will be available for purchase before or after the show with cash, card, or Venmo payments accepted.
Stargaze Kansas City
Experience the night sky like never before in our refreshed and remastered live seasonal star tour! Join our expert team of Science City Educators as they guide you on a one-of-a-kind journey through the ever-changing stars and beyond. Explore the tapestry of constellations and mythology that have guided humans for thousands of years, fly to distant planets in 3D and wonder at the amazing sights right next door in our Solar System, dive into deep space to uncover the hidden mysteries in nebulae and galaxies, and experience exciting new discoveries revealed to us by cutting-edge science and the James Webb Space Telescope. And because the stars and Earth are always on the move, be sure to visit the planetarium often for new additions to Stargaze Kansas City every season!
Spark: The Universe in Us
Spark: The Universe in Us offers a dynamic new perspective on the periodic table of the elements, revealing how stellar phenomena created and dispersed the raw materials of galaxies, planets, and us. The film is about our deep connection not just to Earth, but to stars millions of light years away—and billions of years in the past. Start your journey by soaring over a stunning Sierra Nevada waterfall, and then blast off across space and time to discover the celestial origins of the elements we all have in common, guided through narration by Star Wars actor Diego Luna. Along the way, you’ll enter the core of a giant star just before it implodes, experience the quiet demise of a star like the Sun, and see how colliding stars seed the Universe with the building blocks of life.
Big Bird’s Adventure: One World, One Sky
Through the lens of astronomy, children join Elmo, Big Bird and Hu Hu Zhu – a Muppet from the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street – on an adventure to the moon and to explore the night sky. One World, One Sky aims to provide young children in the U.S. and China with an age-appropriate introduction to astronomy, to promote positive attitudes toward science, and to foster cross-cultural appreciation.
Destination Solar System
This out-of-this world jaunt takes place on board the fastest ship in the Space Express fleet. Your guides are “Jesse,” a lovable rookie tour guide who can’t wait to show you the wonders of your celestial neighborhood, and “Max” — the highly knowledgeable, slightly grumpy shipboard computer. With Max steering the ship and Jesse chattering excitedly about each place you visit, you’ll soar through the Asteroid Belt, explore the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and hover over the roiling surface of the Sun. This show was developed by Adler Planetarium scientists and educators working with experts in market research, science writing, space visualization, animation, and children’s entertainment. It combines real images of planets and other celestial objects with the latest in digital animation.
Magic Tree House: Space Mission
Travel with siblings Jack and Annie in their Magic Tree House as they discover a note that asks them to answer a series of six questions about space. With the help of the astronomer, the Internet, an astronaut, books and the writer of the mysterious note, Jack and Annie are taken on a wondrous journey of adventure and learning to the planets and far out into the Universe!
Mars 1001
Travel with us to the not-so-distant future and join explorers on a daring 1000 day mission to fly an international crew to Mars and return them safely to Earth for the first time. Featuring a stunning mix of live-action, cutting-edge technology, and advanced digital simulations, embark with us on the greatest adventure of the 21st century and unlock the secrets of humanity’s next home!
Sensory Sunday Special Showings
11am on the 3rd Sunday of January, March, May, July, September, & November!
Hazelnuts: Sensory Friendly Edition
Enhance your Sensory Sunday visit to Science City with a special showing of our brand-new planetarium show Hazelnuts: In Search of the Perfect Planet! Unlike normal planetarium showings, we’re offering extra accommodations for visitors with special sensory needs, including playing the show at a much lower volume than usual, turning on some soft lights to keep the seating area from getting too dark, and offering re-entry if guests need to take a break from the show for a few moments.
The 25-minute show will be presented in-full, featuring the grand adventure of two squirrels named Nino and Lilli, as they search for hazelnuts among the stars and learn about life in our Solar System!
Big Bird’s Adventure: Sensory Friendly Edition
Enhance your Sensory Sunday visit to Science City with a special showing of our hit Sesame Street planetarium show! Unlike normal planetarium showings, we will be offering extra accommodations for visitors with special sensory needs, including playing the show at a much lower volume than usual, turning on some soft lights to keep the seating area from getting too dark, and offering re-entry if guests need to take a break from the show for a few moments.
The 25-minute show will be presented in-full, and will include all of the great introductory astronomy content that our visitors love, including a multi-cultural look at other cultures like Chinese astronomy and folklore.
