2026’s Mt Wilson Sunday Concerts in the Dome begin May 26 (Photo – mtwilson.edu)
Next Sunday, May 24, music returns to the mountain as Mt. Wilson’s Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome launch their 2026 season inside the famed 100-inch telescope dome.
By Melanie Hooks
Two performances are scheduled for 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, reviving a concert tradition set within one of Southern California’s most distinctive scientific landmarks.
The season opens with performances of Mendelssohn’s Trio in D minor and Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor. Featured musicians include Zachary Deak on piano, Tosca Opdam and Asi Matathias on violin, Carson Rick on viola, and Cécilia Tsan on cello.
Artistic Director Cécilia Tsan curates the series, which presents chamber music beneath the vaulted dome of the historic telescope. Concerts will continue on the first Sunday of each month through October.
A reception with light refreshments will take place outside the dome at 4:00 pm between performances.
Tickets are priced at $65 and are available online with the full season schedule here.
The concert venue sits inside the historic 100-inch telescope dome at Mount Wilson Observatory, a site closely tied to the history of modern astronomy. Using the telescope, astronomer Edwin Hubble discovered evidence that the universe is expanding, fundamentally changing humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.
Designed by Chicago architect D.H. Burnham, the dome has become known not only as a monument to science but also for acoustics often compared to Europe’s great cathedrals, creating an unusual and immersive setting for live chamber music.
Visitors should note that access to the performance level requires climbing a 53-step staircase. Mount Wilson Observatory is located at an elevation of one mile above sea level, where the air is noticeably thinner. There is no ADA-compliant access to the dome performance level.
Sunday Afternoons in the Dome: Opening Concert Sunday, May 24, 2026 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm Location Mt. Wilson Observatory Dome 100 Mt Wilson Circle Road Mt Wilson, CA 91023 Tickets ($65) online here.
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