50 years ago man launched, landed, and stepped out onto the surface of the Moon, and Chicago is commemorating the event with Apollo 11 celebrations all over the city. From star parties to science festivals to speaker panels, there is a way for everyone to remember the anniversary of this incredible mission. In addition to events in the city, special programming is being broadcast so you can watch the Moon landing as it happened.
Adler Planetarium Apollo 11 Celebration: Moon Bash, July 20, 9 am-6 pm
The Adler Planetarium is hosting a Moon Bash to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. Hands on fun, special exhibits and presentations, special shows, a Moonshot mural, and more await! Plus, if you haven’t seen it yet, the Mission Moon exhibit at the Adler tells the story of our first steps to the Moon. Event page here: Moon Bash
College of DuPage Apollo 11 Evening, Saturday, July 20, 5:30-9 p.m.
The College of DuPage is hosting an Apollo 11 50th celebration along with the Glen Ellyn Library, the COD Astronomy Club, and other community partners. Space and astronomy activities available for all ages, presentations on the spaceflight program, and The Naperville Astronomical Association will be there with telescopes for Sun viewing and observing tips. Event details here: COD Moon Landing Party
Naperville Astronomical Association Apollo 50th Anniversary Star Party, Saturday, July 20, 9-11 p.m
Join the Naperville Astronomical Association to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing at their community star party. The event takes place at the club’s observatory, so the viewing will be better at this darker sky location. This event if free and open to the public. Event details here: NAA Calendar
The Impact of Apollo: A CSSS Program, Sunday, July 21, 1 p.m.
The Chicago Society for Space Studies is featuring a panel discussion on the impact of the Apollo program. Panelists include CSSS speakers. This program is free and open to the public. Event details here: CSSS Program Page
Henry Crown Space Center at the Museum of Science and Industry, 9:30 am- 5:30 pm
The Henry Crown Space Center at MSI explores the history and future of our space program. Special attention is given to the Apollo 8 mission, which laid the foundation for Apollo 11. Museum info here: Museum of Science and Industry
CBS Apollo 11 Moon Landing Live stream for the 50th Anniversary, July 20, 2:30 pm
CBS is running a live stream on YouTube of the coverage it ran during the Apollo 11 mission fifty years ago. Tune in to hear Walter Cronkite talk viewers through the Moon landing. Live stream here: CBS YouTube Channel
NASA Apollo 11 Anniversary Programming, July, 20, 6 am-Midnight
NASA is running special Apollo 11 programming all day, including a rebroadcast of CBS coverage and footage of the Moonwalk when it happened 50 years ago.
NASA TV Schedule:
• 7 a.m., 2 and 10 p.m. – Moon 101 Series, Episode 4: The Crust of the Moon (Public Channel)
• 8 and 10 a.m. – NASA’s Giant Leaps: Past and Future – Celebrating Apollo 50th as we Go Forward to the Moon (All Channels)
• 3 p.m. – Mission Control: Human Spaceflight (All Channels)
• 4:02 p.m. – Historic CBS Live Broadcast of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing (Public Channel)
• 10:38 p.m. – Historic Apollo 11 Moonwalk (All Channels)
NASA Coverage here: NASA TV