First Friday: CosmoCon
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All Ages, family-friendly
$10 adults, $5 kids and seniors, FREE for Members.
Designed for families and adults. All ages and abilities welcome.
Join fellow dreamers, visionaries, and cosmic creators as we step into a future where humanity thrives among the stars. Through storytelling and world-building, we’ll imagine and build the universe we want to live in.
With a Costume Contest, tour by Scott Manley, Star Trek Improv Show, cocktail making robots, AfroComicCon Pop Ups, and a screening of our newest planetarium show, Worlds Beyond Earth, narrated by Lupita Nyong’o, plus so much more, this is a night you do not want to miss!
Costume Contest Sign Ups Here
Costume Contest Guidelines Here
Timed Activities
Drag Story Hour and Mask Making: Comics with Cy! | 6:30-7:30PM – Amphitheater
Bay Area drag artist Cy Berspace (he/they) brings comic book stories to life in this interactive storytime, followed by a mask-making activity where you create and become your own character.
NASA-CHSLE Showcase Kickoff | 6:30-7PM – Planetarium
Join NASA Ames Research Center to kick off the NASA-CHSLE Student Showcase. Learn how high school students are already shaping the future of space exploration.
Cosmic Cocktails with Barback 2.0 | 7–9PM
Ever had a drink served by a robot? Meet Barback 2.0, the mobile mixologist from AlleBell Industries, offering themed cocktails and mocktails as it roves the Center.
CosmoCon Costume Contest & Showcase All Ages | 7:30–9PM – Studio 3
Suit up as your future self or favorite sci-fi character for our cosmic costume contest! Sign up in advance to compete or join the all-costume runway showcase—no sign-up needed.
Costume Contest Sign Ups Here
Costume Contest Guidelines Here
DJ fromdust | 7:30–10PM – Studio 3
Move through the multiverse with an atmospheric set by DJ fromdust, blending deep grooves and interstellar vibes all night long.
Telescope Makers’ Workshop | 7:30–10PM – Lab 2
Meet a passionate group of volunteer telescope builders and learn how people of all ages can build their own stargazing tools.
Public Telescope Viewing | 7:30–10:30PM – Observatory Deck
Gaze at the stars through historic telescopes, guided by knowledgeable volunteers and astronomers.
SIPREME Chocolate Pop-Up | 7:30–10:30PM – Observatory Deck
Treat yourself to out-of-this-world hot chocolate from SIPREME Chocolate of Alameda. Made with shaved chocolate for rich flavor, available in four decadent options with 2% or oat milk.
Tour of Chabot with Scott Manley | 8:30-9:30PM
Take a special tour with space YouTuber Scott Manley. Learn about spacecrafts and find the perfect backdrop for your selfie with Scott and see the museum through a space expert’s eyes.
Ongoing Experiences
Mindfulness Center & Mini Pop-Up Comic Library | Lower Level
Step into a cozy space where storytelling, creativity, and play come together to spark connection and reflection. Color original line drawings, flip through artful comics and thoughtful reads, or unwind with a small selection of games. A quiet retreat designed to recharge and inspire.
AfroComicCon Pop-Up | Rotunda
A dynamic celebration of Black culture in comics, gaming, anime, and pop culture. Featuring artist showcases, cosplay, and more, this pop-up highlights the power of representation and community in geek culture.
Supernova Saloon | Café
Sip something stellar! Grab a Cosmic Cosmo or a zero-proof Galaxy Mocktail to power your next cosmic journey.
Galaxy Photo Booth | Studio 2
Snap a photo under the stars! Pose with galaxy props and tag @chabotspace to share your interstellar look.
Theater Talks
Panel Discussion: Building the Future Together | 7–8PM
Science fiction is becoming science fact. Join filmmaker Celia Peters, astrophysicist Jeff Silverman, astrobiologist Steve Croft, and science communicator Scott Manley for a powerful conversation about how imagination, exploration, and innovation are driving humanity’s future in space.
NASA Student Showcase | 7–9PM
Step into the future through the eyes of high school students who collaborated with NASA researchers over the summer. See their models, posters, and presentations tackling real-world space challenges.
Star Trek Improv Show: Phasers on Stun! | 9-10PM
A completely improvised adventure in the spirit of the original Star Trek! Join the U.S.S. Golden Gate crew for laughs, alien encounters, and audience-driven hilarity.
Planetarium Shows
The Sky Tonight: Live Zeiss Show | 7:30PM
Explore the cosmos with a live guided tour using the Zeiss Universarium Mark VIII Star Projector, led by Chabot astronomers and the East Bay Astronomical Society.
Forward to the Moon | 8:30PM
Kari Byron from Crash Test World and MythBusters launches us on a journey beyond the Earth towards a sustainable future in space. NASA’s 21st century Artemis program, named after the Greek moon Goddess and twin of Apollo, is the next step in our mission to explore the universe and land the first woman and person of color on the surface of the Moon.
Worlds Beyond Earth | 9:30PM
Narrated by Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong’o, Worlds Beyond Earth tells the story of the surprisingly dynamic worlds that orbit our Sun. Based on authentic scientific data from groundbreaking space missions, Worlds Beyond Earth takes viewers on an exhilarating adventure through our cosmic neighborhood. Immersive visualizations showcase the solar system with unprecedented accuracy, including a landing on the cratered surface of our own Moon, a dramatic flight through the swirling rings of Saturn, and soaring encounters with distant worlds of active volcanoes and buried oceans.
Chabot Members get into ALL First Friday events for FREE
Become a Member today to start taking advantage of this, and many other, benefit(s). As a nonprofit, Chabot is sustained by it’s Members and we are so grateful to have you as a part of our universe!
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