Laser Light Shows

LASERS.

Immerse yourself in the music of your favorite artists as their songs come alive in a 360-degree environment of light and sound!

The McDonnell Planetarium’s Laser Show Series fuses music, laser artwork, immersive lighting and 3D-atmospheric effects to create an unforgettable live experience.

Laser Shows will return in Summer 2024! The final schedule and new shows should be released by May 2024. Check back for more details!

 

 

Photos by Ken Moore
Laser light shows feature loud music and flashing lights. These programs are not recommended for those with sensitivity to light or sound.

 

Laser Show Pricing

This is a paid experience.

Ages

Price
Non-Members $13.00
Members $11.00

 

Parking at the Planetarium in Forest Park is included with your ticket to the Laser Show.

Complimentary vouchers and membership tickets are not valid for Laser Shows.

Due to the dark nature of the planetarium, late admittance or reentry is not permitted. Please arrive on time for your laser show.

Summer 2024 Schedule Coming Soon

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Laser Show T-Shirts now available!

To celebrate the return of Laser shows, check out our new Laser t-shirts. Available at the ExploreStore in the main building during regular hours, and Planetarium gift shop during regular hours and Laser Show hours!

Cost: $30
Sizes: Adult Small, Medium, Large, and 2XL

Proceeds from t-shirt sales support our mission by helping us create innovative science and technology programs for children, teens, and adults throughout St. Louis.

Fall ’23 Laser Show Playlists

Arena Rock

Celebrate a time when rock stars where larger than life and bands like AC/DC, Guns n’ Roses, and Van Halen filled arenas around the world. Featuring “Panama”, “Rock and Roll All Night”, “Highway to Hell”, and more.

Runtime: 45 Minutes

PLAYLIST

  • Judas Priest – The Hellion/Electric Eye
  • Van Halen – Panama
  • Scorpions – Big City Nights
  • Aerosmith – Dream On
  • KISS – Rock and Roll All Night
  • Guns N Roses – Paradise City
  • AC/DC – Highway to Hell
  • Van Halen – Hot For Teacher
  • Guns N’ Roses – Welcome to the Jungle
The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Join us for The Beatles iconic album – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – brought to life from beginning to end in laser light! Combining laser artwork with the Beatles’ groundbreaking album results in a laser show that resurrects the spirit of the late 60s, and adds a modern twist. Featuring favorites like “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”, “When I’m 64”, “A Day in the Life”, and more.

Runtime: 45 Minutes

PLAYLIST

  • Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
  • With a Little Help From My Friends
  • Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
  • Getting Better
  • Fixing a Hole
  • She’s Leaving Home
  • Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite
  • Within You, Without You
  • When I’m 64
  • Lovely Rita
  • Good Morning, Good Morning
  • Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
  • A Day in the Life
Bruno Mars

Singer, songwriter, musician, producer, and dancer Bruno Mars is a pop powerhouse. Sing along to his greatest hits in laser light, including 24k Magic, That’s What I Like, Uptown Funk, and more.

Runtime: 49 Minutes

PLAYLIST

  • 24k Magic
  • Treasure
  • It Will Rain
  • The Lazy Song
  • Versace On The Floor
  • Marry You
  • Locked Out of Heaven
  • When I Was Your Man
  • Grenade
  • That’s What I Like
  • Just the Way You Are
  • Finesse
  • Uptown Funk
Laser Classical

A different kind of laser show…relax under the stars as laser light dances to widely known classical pieces. Laser Classical is an introduction to classical music for audiences of all ages and is just as entertaining for fans of classical music as it is for those new to the genre. Featuring works by Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Stravinsky, and more.

Runtime: 43 Minutes

PLAYLIST

  • O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff
  • Waltz from Sleeping Beauty by P.I. Tchaikovsky
  • Spring from the Four Seasons by A. Vivaldi
  • March from the Nutcracker by P.I. Tchaikovsky
  • In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt by E Grieg
  • Russian Dance from the Nutcracker by P.I. Tchaikovsky
  • Bolero by Maurice Ravel
  • Carillon from the Hunchback of Notre Dame by Philip Feeney
  • Dance of the Wet-Nurses from Peroutka by Igor Stravinsky
  • Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet by S. Prokofiev
  • Sabre Dance by A Khachaturian
  • Finale from Swan Lake by P.I. Tchaikovsky
  • Hoedown from Rodeo by Aaron Copland
Fleetwood Mac

Sing-a-long to your favorite hits from Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks as their music comes alive in laser light. Featuring “Dreams”, “Go Your Own Way”, “The Chain”, and more.

Runtime: 42 Minutes

PLAYLIST

  • The Chain
  • Everywhere
  • Rhiannon
  • Say You Love Me
  • Gold Dust Woman
  • You Make Loving Fun
  • Dreams
  • Go Your Own Way
  • Landslide
  • Don’t Stop
Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon

Pink Floyd’s 1973 album of humanitarian, political and philosophical empathy, Dark Side of the Moon is one of the most popular and mind-bending light concerts of all time! Featuring the entire groundbreaking album including  “Breathe,” “Money” and “Any Colour You Like.”

Runtime: 43 Minutes

TITLE
Speak to Me
Breathe
On the Run
Time
The Great Gig in the Sky
Money
Us and Them
Any Colour You Like
Brain Damage
Eclipse
Michael Jackson, Volume 2

The greatest hits from the King of Pop come alive in laser light for this new show! Including “Thriller”, “Bad”, “Man in the Mirror”, and more.

Runtime: 50 Minutes

PLAYLIST

  • Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough
  • The Way You Make Me Feel
  • ABC
  • Black or White
  • Human Nature
  • Thriller
  • Man in the Mirror
  • Dirty Diana
  • Billie Jean
  • Bad
  • Smooth Criminal
  • Beat It
Prince

Party like it’s 1999 with the greatest hits of Prince and, of course, a lot of purple. Featuring Let’s Go Crazy, When Doves Cry, Purple Rain, and more.

Approximate Runtime: 55 Minutes

PLAYLIST

  • Let’s Go Crazy
  • 1999
  • Little Red Corvette
  • I Wanna Be Your Lover
  • Diamonds and Pearls
  • Kiss
  • Take Me With You
  • U Got the Look
  • Raspberry Beret
  • I Would Die 4 U
  • When Doves Cry
  • Purple Rain
Laser Stranger Things

Whether you are a fan of Stranger Things or just like ’80s music, this is the laser show for you! Take a trip to the upside-down and experience the ’80s tunes and soundscapes from Season 4 of the hit show reinterpreted in vibrant laser light.

Approximate Runtime: 45 minutes

PLAYLIST

  • Stranger Things
  • Sunglasses at Night
  • You Spin Me Round
  • Teens
  • Baba O Riley
  • Runaway
  • She’ll Kill You
  • Detroit Rock City
  • Every Breath You Take
  • Pass the Dutchie
  • Soldiers
  • Running Up that Hill
  • Separate Ways (Stranger Things version)
  • Master of Puppets
Taylor Swift

With over 200 million records sold and 12 Grammys to-date, Taylor Swift is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. Experience her greatest hits in dazzling laser light including Anti-Hero, Lavender Haze, Shake It Off, and more.

Approximate Runtime: 50 minutes

PLAYLIST

  • You Need to Calm Down
  • 22
  • Anti-Hero
  • Love Story
  • Exile
  • Look What You Made Me Do
  • Willow
  • Lavender Haze
  • …Ready for it?
  • I knew You Were Trouble
  • Bad Blood
  • Blank Space
  • You Belong With Me
  • Shake it Off

Laser Show Frequently Asked Questions

What are laser shows?

Laser shows are like going to a concert but without the band! We fuse popular music, real-time laser artwork, immersive 360-degree lighting, and 3D-atmospheric effects to bring your favorite music to life like you have never seen it before.

Are laser shows outside?

No, our laser shows take place inside the comfort of the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. We are home to the largest fulldome laser show in the United States!

Are laser shows suitable for children?

This depends on the show and your child. Laser shows feature loud music and flashing lights in the dark environment of the Planetarium that may be scary for young children. Some shows feature music and lyrics intended for an adult audience and may include profanity. We do not prohibit children, but viewer discretion is advised.

I am sensitive to flashing lights; should I see a laser show?

Laser shows feature flashing lights and loud music. We do not recommend laser shows if you are sensitive to light or sound.

Where do I park?

Free parking is available at the Planetarium Entrance in Forest Park located at 5100 Clayton Avenue.

Please note: this event occurs inside the Planetarium on the north side of the highway. You will drive through Forest Park to arrive. Do not park at the Science Center’s Oakland Entrance on the south side of the highway – you will have a very long walk!

What is the best seat for a laser show?

You have a choice! We provide semi-reclined seats and a limited number of floor mats for those who prefer to lay down.

In general, seats provide the best view in the rear and closer to the walls of the theater, while the mats are best towards the center and front. If you plan to lay down, we recommend bringing a pillow for the most comfortable experience.

Will concessions be available?

Yes! Limited concessions and drinks will be available for purchase in the Planetarium Lobby prior to each show. Note: credit card payments only.

When will you do Laser Shows again?

Laser Shows will next return in Summer 2024! Stay tuned for dates and showtimes , as well as new shows not featured in past runs. Rock on!

Location

The Planetarium Entrance and Parking Lot in Forest Park will be open for Laser Shows. Please park and enter at 5100 Clayton Avenue.

Laser Shows take place in the Star Bay, located on the 2nd floor of the Planetarium. Access is available through the stairs or elevator from the main Planetarium lobby.

Due to the dark nature of the planetarium, late admittance or reentry is not permitted. Please arrive on time for your laser show.

Membership

Members stargaze for free.

Love the Planetarium? Become a Science Center member and watch star shows for free with every visit, as well as get a full year of additional members-only benefits.

Plus, members help support the Science Center and our mission to make science learning open to everyone.

Become a Member

Accessibility

Elevators and ramps serve all public areas of the McDonnell Planetarium.

We also offer hearing assist devices for Planetarium star shows. When ordering tickets, please let your reservationist know you’re interested in a hearing assist device, or speak with a Planetarium team member before your program begins.

More About Accessibility