Brightly-colored aliens learning to regrow a forest, the modern-day equivalent of dinosaurs, plus dazzling laser displays, will highlight the winter shows at Cernan Earth and Space Center at Triton College in River Grove.

In planning the winter programming, Director Kris Kovach McCall said, “We’re looking for stuff that’s going to be fun, family-oriented, lighthearted, maybe contribute to the season. Maybe also distract from the season. We try to mix things up, year-to-year, season-to-season.”

The winter selection is diverse and designed to fascinate, McCall said.

“The Stellars: Mission Green,” a show for all ages, will be screened at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 22. “It follows a group of aliens who crash-land on earth,” said Planetarium educator Wayne C. Foster. “They damage their on-ship forest that grows the food that they need to survive. They need to learn how forests work to bring their forest back to life.”

Foster said the show has “goofy jokes” and encourages audience participation as the aliens and the audience learn about ecosystems.

“Dinosaurs at Dusk” will be screened at 1:30 p.m. on Dec.23.

“Who doesn’t love dinosaurs?” McCall said. “A big focus of the program is the relationship between dinosaurs and modern-day birds.” Kids might be surprised to discover that a chicken is really a dinosaur.

“There’s a little drama; a little humor,” he said.

“A Trans-Siberian Christmas Laser Show” will run at 3 p.m. on Dec. 22, 23, and 26, and at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 27.

“We always like to say our laser shows are bright lights, loud music, and very little educational value,” Foster joked. “But they are a lot of fun.” This particular laser show combines the heavy metal sound of the highly praised Trans-Siberian Orchestra as it reimagines classic Christmas songs.

“A Trans-Siberian Christmas Laser Show,” will be among the holiday-themed presentations at Triton College’s Cernan Earth and Space Center in December. (Cernan Earth and Space Center)

It’s time for “Rusty Rocket’s Last Blast” at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 26.

“The audience joins a class of rocket rookies preparing for their very first trip to the Solar System,” McCall said. The audience will learn how rockets work and a little about rocket history. And such fascinating facts as how long it takes to deliver a pizza to Pluto.

At 7 p.m. on Dec. 27, “Arora” will be featured.

That show is about the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. “It’s about the science behind how they’re formed, what causes them, and how we can view them here on earth,” Foster said. He noted that seeing the Northern Lights is on the bucket list of many people. “This is a nice way to do that without booking a flight to Iceland,” he said.

“Habitat Earth” will be the topic at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 29.

Audiences will learn that “all life on earth is connected,” McCall said.

People can learn about “STARS: Powerhouses of the Universe” on Dec. 30 at 1:30 p.m.

“Stars are not only where we get our source of light and heat from our sun but they create almost all of the material that exists in the universe,” Foster said.

The 2026 slate will start with “Dream to Fly,” at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 2.

“The show talks about the human interest in flying from birds to balloons, magic carpets, Chinese lanterns, maple tree seeds,” McCall said. “And the quest for humans to also take to the air.”

“Laser Stranger Things” runs at 3 p.m. on Dec. 29 and 30, and Jan. 2, 2026.

The laser show uses music from season 3 of the popular TV program.

From Nov. 28-Dec. 6, there will be a Supernova Star Sale at Cernan’s Star Store. Almost every item in the store will be sold at 15% off. Items range in price from less than a dollar to $150.

“Lots of tremendous stocking stuffers, typically all earth and space related,” McCall said. There are also toys, t-shirts, mugs, puzzles, scientific experiments, and much, much more.

Cernan Earth and Space Center is at 2000 Fifth Ave. in River Grove. Planetarium program admission is $8 for adults and $4 for seniors ages 55 and over and children 2-17. Cosmic light show tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for seniors and children. Tickets are for sale only in the gift shop on the day of the show. Information is at 708-456-0300, ext. 3408 or triton.edu/Cernan.

Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/cernan-earth-space-center-holidays/