Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO), Southern California’s esteemed home to several of the most groundbreaking astronomical discoveries in history, presents its fifth Matinees on the Mountain screening of the 2026 season, on Saturday, September 12 at 3:00pm.
September’s Matinees on the Mountain will feature a screening of Andrei Tarkovsky’s seminal 1972 film “Solaris.” Based on Stanisław Lem's 1961 novel of the same title, the film’s plot centers on a space station orbiting the fictional planet Solaris, where a scientific mission has stalled because the skeleton crew of three scientists have fallen into emotional crises. Winner of the Grand Prix Spécial du Jury at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival and nominated for the Palme d'Or, the critically acclaimed “Solaris” is often cited as one of the greatest science fiction films in the history of cinema. Tickets are priced at $20 for general admission and $15 for children under 12. For more information and tickets, please visit: www.mtwilson.edu/events/movie091226.
MWO's film series takes place in its 256-seat auditorium, screening classic science fiction, vintage silent films, and even a few family-friendly surprises. Moviegoers can enjoy lunch at the Cosmic Cafe or picnic on the grounds, explore the Observatory’s rich history, and then settle in for a unique cinematic experience 1-mile above the City of Los Angeles.
The Cosmic Cafe (www.mtwilson.edu/cosmic-cafe), located above the main parking lot at the Observatory entrance, is open on weekends in the spring, summer, and fall. In addition to traditional menu items such as hot dogs, drinks, and snacks, the Cafe offers wraps, salads, and sweet treats from Little Flower.
THE FINAL MATINEES ON THE MOUNTAIN OF THE 2026 SEASON
October 10: “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1956): www.mtwilson.edu/events/movie101026
A small-town doctor discovers that people in his community are being secretly replaced by emotionless alien duplicates grown from mysterious space-borne pods, sparking a desperate fight to stop the silent invasion.
VISITING MWO
The gate to Mount Wilson’s campus opens at 10:00am daily and closes at 5:00pm from early April through November. Entrance to the grounds is free. Visitors can hike, gaze at the telescope domes and towers that dot the landscape, and take a look at historic Mount Wilson photos and letters in the Museum. For more information about Visiting Mount Wilson Observatory, please visit: www.mtwilson.edu/visiting.
PARKING
A U.S. Forest Service Adventure Pass is required to park at the Observatory. A $5 day pass or a $30 dollar annual pass may be purchased at the Cosmic Cafe on weekends between 10:00am and 5:00pm. During the week, passes are available at locations around Los Angeles. The most convenient location before heading up is at the Shell station in La Canada Flintridge at the bottom of the Angeles Crest Highway (https://find.shell.com/us/fuel/10007957-4530-angeles-crest-hwy/en_US). Visit the U.S. Forest Service website for more information about Passes and other locations to buy them: www.fs.usda.gov/r05/passes/adventure-pass
For more information about Visiting Mount Wilson Observatory, please visit: www.mtwilson.edu/visiting
