Danielle Nicolson, Amy Reed and Tim Burke, The Dark Sky Festival Committee, The Lord Howe Island Signal
Despite some ‘less than ideal’ weather conditions, the 2026 Lord Howe Island Dark Sky Festival proved once again that a little cloud cover is no match for great company, fun events and a shared passion for the wonders of the night. Held from 16th till 23rd May 2026, the festival brought together locals, visitors, scientists, artists, chefs and nature lovers for a celebration of Lord Howe Island’s remarkable night skies and unique nocturnal environment.
While stargazers found themselves competing with passing showers and cloud banks, festival goers still embraced the relaxed island atmosphere and packed programme of activities. From astronomy talks and astrophotography workshops to dining experiences, guided walks and live entertainment, there was no shortage of memorable moments.
One of the most anticipated events of the week was the inaugural Lord Howe Island ‘Chef-Off’, where some of the island’s best culinary talent went head to head in a live cooking competition based on the ‘Ready, Steady, Cook!’ television series. In a closely contested and entertaining event, Rory Flood from Pinetrees Lodge emerged victorious, impressing judges and spectators alike with his creativity, skill and use of Lord Howe Island Distilling’s gin. The competition quickly became one of the standout highlights of the festival and is already being talked about as a ‘must see’ event for future years.
Another local favourite was the Light Walk through Stevens Reserve. Featuring a series of illuminated installations crafted by island residents, the walk transformed the forest into a magical nighttime experience. Visitors were especially captivated by the phasmid display, which celebrated the remarkable story of the Lord Howe Island stick insect. The display generated extensive positive feedback, with many attendees describing it as one of the most memorable elements of the entire festival.
The Dark Sky Festival committee would like to thank the Lord Howe Island Community, The Lord Howe Island Board, Destination North Coast, Destination NSW, Oxley Travel, The Provedores, Gabbi Ellsmore, Gai Wilson, Ian Hutton and Pia Funch for their support!
The next Dark Sky Festival is scheduled to run between 1st and 9th May 2027. If you would like to join the committee, please attend our AGM – Date to be advised.
See all the photos in the issue.
This article appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 31 May 2026.
