Dom't miss your chance to experience the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. This will be the last chance to see a solar eclipse across the United States until 2045!
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, United States, and Canada.
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon completely blocks the face of the Sun. In the path of totality, a total solar eclipse creates a brief period of total darkness during the day. While the April 8 eclipse is a total solar eclipse, Florida is not in the path of totality and will only experience about a 60% partial eclipse.
The eclipse will begin at 1:46 pm, peak at 3:03 pm, and end at 4:17 pm
While you can safely experience this phenomenon from anywhere (with proper eye protection, of course), there is number of solar eclipse viewing parties and celebrations in Orlando to celebrate this celestial event.
It is never safe to look directly at the sun during an eclipse without specialized eye protection, this can cause severe retina damage!
Orlando Solar Eclipse Viewing Parties 2024
Orlando Science Center Viewing Party
April 8, 2024
The Orlando Science Center is hosting a solar eclipse viewing party and everyone is invited to what promises to be a celebration to remember!
This event will be held rain or shine. If the eclipse is not visible in our area due to cloud cover or weather conditions, don't worry! Orlando Science Center will also be live-streaming the view from other locations within the Science Center.
Plus, enjoy out-of-this-world programming to help you explore and celebrate the solar eclipse - no matter the weather!
To purchase tickets for the viewing party, click here.
Advance tickets and registrations will be required for this event. Each ticket holder will receive a pair of eclipse glasses.
Orange County Regional History Center & Orlando Public Library Solar Celebration
April 8, 2024
The Orange County Regional History Center and the Orlando Public Library are hosting a “sun”-sational gathering!
Participate in a spectacular FREE solar eclipse viewing party on Monday, April 8 from 2.30 - 4 pm, featuring themed games, activities, and hands-on crafts to facilitate a fascinating celestial discovery. Solar-safe sunglasses and a solar telescope for viewing will be available.
Solar Celebration Schedule
Orlando Public Library
1st Floor, Children’s Library For Children & Families:
Livestream of the eclipse
Eclipse coloring activities
Solar Eclipse Photo Booth
3rd Floor, Albertson Room For Adults:
Livestream of the eclipse
History Center
Heritage Square Park
Solar eclipse viewing
Total Eclipse Trivia
Inside the museum
Celestial Odyssey
Seminole Solar Legend Craft
For more information on the Orange County Library System Solar Celebrations, click here.
Partial Solar Eclipse Celebration At Kennedy Space Center
April 8, 2024
Join fellow enthusiasts and witness nature’s own spectacle as a partial solar eclipse graces the Central Florida skies from 1:48 pm to 4:17 pm.
From 2:00 – 5:00 PM, visit the Rocket Garden to pick up your eclipse safety glasses, while supplies last, and enjoy music by roaming DJ Larry. You can also watch NASA’s live broadcast from various locations in the path of totality on giant screens located in the Rocket Garden.
Astronaut Scholar* Will Jarvis will host a presentation inside Journey To Mars in the morning, then be available the rest of the day to answer questions.
This special day isn’t just your chance to celebrate the Sun – you can also get a head start on your Earth Day festivities!
Stop by booths hosted by local businesses and conservation groups to hear firsthand about their sustainability practices and how they help our community – and the rest of the planet. You can learn about solar energy through hands-on activities at our education stations on the bottom floor of Space Shuttle Atlantis.
And don’t miss the visitor complex’s S.T.E.A.M. Team, who will be conducting environmentally friendly experiments throughout the visitor complex.
All activities are included with admission. For more info, and to purchase tickets click here.
Watch Live Through the Eyes of NASA
April 8, 2024
Join NASA experts as the total solar eclipse moves across North America on April 8, 2024, traveling through Mexico, across the United States from Texas to Maine, and out across Canada’s Atlantic coast.
Tune in for live views from across the path, expert commentary, live demos, and more.
Seminole State College
Join the staff of the Emil Buehler Planetarium, Central Florida Astronomical Society, Seminole State College Library, and guests from around the country as they share this amazing experience, featuring unique views of the progress of the eclipse using various telescopes.
The livestream will take place from 1:30 pm to 3 pm with totality occurring around 2:53 pm.
How To Safely Watch The Solar Eclipse
During a solar eclipse, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.
Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.
When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun
Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers.
Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.
For more information, check out NASA's dedicated Solar Eclipse webpage.
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