Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Privacy Policy

At Friends of the Apostle Islands, your privacy matters to us. Whether you are donating, asking a question, joining our mailing list, or signing up for an event, Friends works to honor and respect your privacy.

Personally Identifiable Information: Friends of the Apostle Islands receives your specific data only when you provide that information voluntarily through filling out a form to be added to our mailing lists, donating, signing up to volunteer, or requesting more information from us. We promise you that this information will be used only to fulfill your specific request, to keep you informed about Friends projects and events, or to make you aware of important information regarding the islands or our organization.

Friends will never sell or trade your personal information to any other company, organization, or government agency.

Donation Information: Your generous donations to our organization are vital to our success. Because we honor your donation, we often recognize gifts in such places as our Annual Report using only your name and the general category of the gift. No contact information is released through our Annual Report. You have the right to opt out of such recognition by simply requesting that your donation and your name not be made public.

Your information is collected in our database for internal use only so that we may keep you informed of such things as upcoming events, fundraising opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and special projects. Friends will never sell or trade your personal information to any other company, organization, or government agency.

Please note that with respect to on-line donations made via credit card, we receive only the name of the donor, their address (if provided), the amount of the donation and the purpose for which it was made. No credit card information, i.e., the name on the card, the number, expiration date, issuing company, etc., is provided to us. Such information is strictly a matter between the donor and our processing agent, PayPal.

Non-personal (Generic) Information: Friends of the Apostle Islands does gather some generic, non-personal information automatically from users of our website. This generic information does not reveal the identity of the visitor. It usually includes information about the number and frequency of visitors to our website, which web pages were visited, and the type of browser used to reach the site. Friends gathers this information for the limited purpose of monitoring website traffic, page usage, and determining customer service and website improvements.

Exceptions and Limitations: Notwithstanding the foregoing and in compliance with applicable laws, Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (i) cooperates fully with state, local, and federal officials in any investigation relating to any content (including personal or private electronic communications transmitted to Friends) or purported unlawful activities of any user of the website, and (ii) takes reasonable measures to protect its proprietary rights. For the limited purposes of accomplishing such cooperation and measures and in compliance with applicable laws, Friends could be required to disclose personally identifiable information.

Because of our privacy policy, we hope you can enjoy our website, sign up for our newsletter, join our organization, shop, and make donations with confidence that Friends of the Apostle Islands respects and honors your privacy to the fullest extent possible. We are glad that you are here and care about the islands. We will do all we can to make your online experience safe, enjoyable, and private.

This policy may change from time to time without notice, so please check back periodically to review this information.

Your Friends at Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Dark Sky Star Bright celebration schedule of events for January 17-25, 2026

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Written by Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

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Dark Sky Star Bright Festival | News | Starry Skies

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December 8, 2025

Bayfield’s winter has always had a quiet kind of magic — the kind that shows up when the lake is still, the nights are long, and the sky finally has your attention. Dark Sky, Star Bright was created to celebrate exactly that.

From January 17–25, 2026, we’re inviting you to slow down, look up, and experience winter on Lake Superior in a whole new way. This nine-day event will bring together stargazing, photography, wellness, and night sky education — all designed to help you reconnect with nature and yourself in the calm beauty of Bayfield’s winter landscape.

In collaboration with the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce, this celebration will highlight the importance of dark sky preservation while showcasing the breathtaking clarity of Bayfield’s winter skies.

This isn’t a rush-around, festival-all-day kind of experience. It’s intentionally paced — an invitation to find warmth, wonder, and community under the stars. We’ve listed most of the events in chronological order on this page. The links in the event titles take you to additional details on the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce website.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

Heated Igloos for Cafe & Brewery Guests at Howl $
8:00am-8:00pm
Howl Adventure Center
35265 S. Co Hwy J
Bayfield

Paint With Bloom $
10:00am-3:00pm
Bloom Bayfield
104 Rittenhouse Ave.
Bayfield

University of Minnesota – Duluth Planetarium FREE
1:00pm-4:00pm
Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion
2 E. Front St.
Bayfield

Paint with Krishna FREE
11:00-1:00pm
Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion
2 E. Front St.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Art Display FREE
1:00pm-4:00pm
Island Gateway Gallery & Gathering
23 N. 2nd St.
Bayfield

Jeff Pfaller Book Signing & Discussion FREE
2:00pm-3:00pm
Apostle Islands Booksellers
112 Rittenhouse Ave.
Bayfield

Color in the Evening Light Sketching with Watercolor $
3:00pm-4:00pm
Wild Rice Retreat
84860 Old San Rd.
Bayfield

Superior Sauna Sessions $
4:00pm-8:00pm
Apostle Island Cruises Dock
206 Wilson Ave.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Cocktails at Bates Art Bar $
4:00pm-8:00pm
14 S Broad Street
Bayfield

Candlelit Dinner at Good Thyme $
5:00pm-7:00pm
Good Thyme Restaurant
77180 State Hwy. 13
Washburn
Reservations are required

Star Viewing with Astronomer Bob King and Arne Martinson FREE
7:00pm-9:00pm
Good Thyme Restaurant
77180 State Hwy. 13
Washburn

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

Heated Igloos for Cafe & Brewery Guests at Howl $
8:00am-3:00pm
Howl Adventure Center
35265 S. Co Hwy J
Bayfield

University of Minnesota – Duluth Planetarium FREE
10:00am-2:00pm
Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion
2 E. Front St.
Bayfield

Paint with Krishna FREE
11:00-1:00pm
Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion
2 E. Front St.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Art Display FREE
1:00pm-4:00pm
Island Gateway Gallery & Gathering
23 N. 2nd St.
Bayfield

Dark Skies from the Anishinaabe Perspective FREE
1:30pm-3:00pm
Apostle Islands Booksellers
112 Rittenhouse Ave. Bayfield

Stories & Soup FREE & $
4:00pm-6:00pm
St. James Social
200 Rittenhouse Ave.
Bayfield

Superior Sauna Sessions $
4:00pm-8:00pm
Apostle Island Cruises Dock
206 Wilson Ave.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Cocktails at Bates Art Bar $
4:00pm-8:00pm
14 S Broad Street
Bayfield

Indoor star program with Astronomer Bob King (followed by star viewing on City Dock weather permitting) FREE
7:00pm-9:00 pm
Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion
2 E. Front St.
Bayfield

MONDAY, JANUARY 19

Heated Igloos for Cafe & Brewery Guests at Howl $
8:00am-3:00pm
Howl Adventure Center
35265 S. Co Hwy J
Bayfield

Dark Sky Art Display FREE
1:00pm-4:00pm
Island Gateway Gallery & Gathering
23 N. 2nd St.
Bayfield

Superior Sauna Sessions $
4:00pm-8:00pm
Apostle Island Cruises Dock
206 Wilson Ave.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Cocktails at Bates Art Bar $
4:00pm-8:00pm
14 S Broad Street
Bayfield

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20

Dark Sky Program with Scott Lind FREE
10:00am-noon
Honest Dog Books
38 S 2nd St.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Art Display FREE
1:00pm-4:00pm
Island Gateway Gallery & Gathering
23 N. 2nd St.
Bayfield

Superior Sauna Sessions $
4:00pm-8:00pm
Apostle Island Cruises Dock
206 Wilson Ave.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Cocktails at Bates Art Bar $
4:00pm-8:00pm
14 S Broad Street
Bayfield

Heated Igloos for Cafe & Brewery Guests at Howl $
4:00pm-8:00pm
Howl Adventure Center
35265 S. Co Hwy J
Bayfield

Pizza & Photographers Night A Dark Sky Showcase $
5:00pm-8:00pm
St. James Social
200 Rittenhouse Ave.
Bayfield

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21

Carnegie Kids Story Time Stars & Stories FREE
10:30am-11:30am
Bayfield Carnegie Library
37 Broad St.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Art Display FREE
1:00pm-4:00pm
Island Gateway Gallery & Gathering
23 N. 2nd St.
Bayfield

Superior Sauna Sessions $
4:00pm-8:00pm
Apostle Island Cruises Dock
206 Wilson Ave.
Bayfield

Heated Igloos for Cafe & Brewery Guests at Howl $
4:00am-8:00pm
Howl Adventure Center
35265 S. Co Hwy J
Bayfield

Dark Sky Cocktails at Bates Art Bar $
4:00pm-8:00pm
14 S Broad Street
Bayfield

Open Mic & Dark Sky Film at Backstage FREE
6:00pm-9:00pm
Dark Sky Film at 7:00pm
The Backstage
84810 State Hwy 13
Bayfield

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22

Heated Igloos for Cafe & Brewery Guests at Howl $
8:00am-6:00pm
Howl Adventure Center
35265 S. Co Hwy J
Bayfield

Dark Sky Art Display FREE
1:00pm-4:00pm
Island Gateway Gallery & Gathering
23 N. 2nd St.
Bayfield

Superior Sauna Sessions $
4:00pm-8:00pm
Apostle Island Cruises Dock
206 Wilson Ave.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Cocktails at Bates Art Bar $
4:00pm-8:00pm
14 S Broad Street
Bayfield

Sunset Run with Wolfsong Adventures in Mushing $
5:00pm
86990 S. Pratt Rd.
Bayfield
Contact the Bayfield Chamber to reserve your spot

Movie Night at the Library FREE
6:30pm
Bayfield Carnegie Library
37 North Broad St.
Bayfield

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23

Heated Igloos for Cafe & Brewery Guests at Howl $
8:00am-8:00pm
Howl Adventure Center
35265 S. Co Hwy J
Bayfield

Morning Adventure with Wolfsong Adventures in Mushing $
9:00am
86990 S. Pratt Rd.
Bayfield
Contact the Bayfield Chamber to reserve your spot

Night Skiing at Mt. Ashwabay $
4:00pm-9:00pm
32525 Ski Hill Rd.
Bayfield

Superior Sauna Sessions $
4:00pm-8:00pm
Apostle Island Cruises Dock
206 Wilson Ave.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Cocktails at Bates Art Bar $
4:00pm-8:00pm
14 S Broad Street
Bayfield

A Night Under Dark Skies: Progressive Dinner & Walk $
4:30pm-7:30pm
Downtown Bayfield – Apostle 22, Bates Art Bar & St. James Social

Travis Novitsky Program FREE
7:00pm
Honest Dog Books
38 S. 2d St.
Bayfield

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24

Heated Igloos for Cafe & Brewery Guests at Howl $
8:00am-8:00pm
Howl Adventure Center
35265 S. Co Hwy J
Bayfield

Paint with Krishna $
10:00am-3:00pm
Bloom Bayfield
104 Rittenhouse Ave.
Bayfield

Candlelit Dinner at Good Thyme $
5:00pm-7:00pm
Good Thyme Restaurant
77180 State Hwy 13
Washburn

Superior Sauna Sessions $
4:00pm-8:00pm
Apostle Island Cruises Dock
206 Wilson Ave.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Cocktails at Bates Art Bar $
4:00pm-8:00pm
14 S Broad Street
Bayfield

Landmark Conservancy Candlelight Snowshoe Hike & Nordic Ski $
6:00pm-8:00pm
Mt. Ashwabay
32525 Ski Hill Rd.
Bayfield

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25

Heated Igloos for Cafe & Brewery Guests at Howl $
8:00am-3:00pm
Howl Adventure Center
35265 S. Co Hwy J
Bayfield

Celebrate our Dark Skies with Shadow Painting $
2:00pm-6:00pm
Moss & Stone Yoga Studio
40 S. 2nd. St. #102
Bayfield
Event by Penny Prints

Superior Sauna Sessions $
4:00pm-8:00pm
Apostle Island Cruises Dock
206 Wilson Ave.
Bayfield

Dark Sky Cocktails at Bates Art Bar $
4:00pm-8:00pm
14 S Broad Street
Bayfield

We hope to see you at one or more of these Dark Sky Star Bright events. We’ll update the schedule as needed and will provide coverage of the celebration when it happens. We also invite you to join our Starry Skies Initiative, a community-wide effort to protect the dark skies above the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and surrounding communities.