The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks’ (MDWFP) Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (MMNS) invites the public to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and enjoy an unforgettable night under the stars with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO). The 4th Annual “Moonlight, Music, and Meteors” event will take place Friday, April 17, 2026, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at “The Den” in beautiful LeFleur’s Bluff State Park. Visitors will enjoy celebratory music that reflects on our history through a Mississippi lens followed by popular astronomy-themed music with a "space" feel. Tickets are $20 online until noon on April 16 or $25 at the door: https://www.mdwfp.com/events/moonlight-music-meteors. Skenny Burgers and The Pig and Pint will have concessions available to purchase.
A Celebration of Nature, Music, and Community
Visitors can also interact with NASA’s Solar System Ambassadors and area physicists and astronomers. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy a spectacular night of live music, cosmic wonders, and family fun. They might even see the Lyrid meteor shower!
This collaborative event between MDWFP, MMNS, The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation (MMNSF), and MSO is supported in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
“Moonlight, Music, and Meteors is a perfect reflection of what the museum strives to offer which are memorable experiences that connect science, culture, and community,” said Museum Director Angel Rohnke.
MMNSF, which helps support the Museum and this beloved event, echoed the sentiment: “This is one of those evenings that reminds us why community support matters. We are proud to help make experiences like this possible,” said MMNSF Executive Director Susan Frazier.
MSO President and Executive Director Janet Reihle said, “Moonlight, Music, and Meteors is one of my favorite performances each year because it brings together people of all ages. You will see senior citizens enjoying the music, young professionals on date night, and families spread out on blankets with their children experiencing the symphony under the stars. It is a wonderful reminder that music has the power to bring an entire community together. Our partnership with MMNS adds a special dimension to the evening. I still have the constellation app on my phone from last year’s event. The engagement from their staff and professional volunteers helps guests explore the night sky while they enjoy the music, turning the performance into a truly immersive experience.”
ABOUT THE MUSEUM: MDWFP’s Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, located at 2148 Riverside Drive in Jackson within LeFleur’s Bluff State Park, inspires visitors with wildlife exhibits, aquariums, nature trails, and scientific collections representing the state’s natural wonders. Plan your adventure: 601-576-6000 or www.mdwfp.com/museum. Connect on social media at: facebook.com/msnaturalscience and instagram.com/mssciencemuseum.
ABOUT THE MMNS FOUNDATION: The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation supports MDWFP’s Mississippi Museum of Natural Science through Memberships, donations, and volunteer engagement. Your support helps fund exhibits, education programs, special events, and conservation efforts that connect people with Mississippi’s natural world. Learn more, become a Member, or donate at www.mmnsfoundation.org.
ABOUT THE MSO: As the largest professional performing arts organization in the state, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra performs for more than 75,000 Mississippians each year at more than 120 concerts statewide. Additionally, the MSO supports the Mississippi Symphony Youth Orchestras and an education program through which more than 800 school children receive daily instruction in violin, viola and cello. Learn more at https://msorchestra.com.
