Winter Night Out Idea: See Classic Sci-Fi Films in a Planetarium

This winter, Oakland’s Chabot Space & Science Center is screening three iconic science fiction movies — projected in their 70-foot hilltop planetarium.

Sci-Fi Nights, Chabot’s 18+ film series, will present cult classics Blade Runner (Jan. 23), The Fifth Element (Feb. 14) and Alien (March 19) alongside themed cocktails and a nightly raffle.

Chabot’s Valentine’s Day planetarium screening of The Fifth Element will also, apparently, feature a pre-show performance by opera singer Olivia Genevieve in character as “Diva Plavalaguna.”

Chabot’s Observation Deck will be open and accessible each of these nights from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. for the center’s Free Public Telescope Viewings.

The NASA Ames Visitor Center here — the East Bay outpost of Mountain View’s NASA Ames Research Center — will also stay open late for movie attendees to explore.

The 18+ movie program “was born from a desire to offer something fun just for our adult audiences,” said Lillith Era, Chabot’s Lead Public Programs Developer.

Whether you’re on a date night or out with friends, it’s a unique way to experience these films in our state-of-the-art planetarium.”

Chabot’s winter and spring calendar features more programs for younger visitors, though, from night-sky viewing events and celestial watch parties to photography workshops with guidance on capturing the stars and a rotating schedule of all-ages planetarium shows.

Sci-Fi Nights at Chabot Space & Science Center

Blade Runner (1982)
7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23

The Fifth Element (1997)
7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14

Alien (1979)
7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19

Tickets to all screenings are $15 ($5 for Chabot members). More details about Chabot’s winter and spring programs can be found on their site. 

KQED’s Carly Severn contributed reporting to this story.