Pink Floyd fans will once again have the chance to experience one of the most influential albums in music history in an entirely new way when The Dark Side of the Moon returns to the Fayetteville State University Planetarium at 1200 Murchison Rd. in 2026 as part of the album’s official 50th anniversary production.
Originally released in 1973, Dark Side of the Moon has endured across generations, spending a record-setting 984 weeks on the Billboard charts and becoming a cultural touchstone for listeners worldwide. Introduced to the public during a press event at the London Planetarium more than five decades ago, the album’s connection to astronomy now comes full circle under the dome of the FSU Planetarium.
The shows began Friday, Jan. 9, and the planetarium will host weekly Friday evening showings at 7 p.m., with the run continuing through Oct. 9. Tickets are $10, offering audiences an affordable opportunity to experience the sanctioned full-dome production.
“This isn’t just a music show,” said Joseph Kabbes, planetarium manager and astronomy professor at Fayetteville State University. “This production was created by NSC Creative in conjunction with Pink Floyd themselves. It’s the only Dark Side of the Moon show officially approved by the band, and we’re one of only nine planetariums in the country licensed to present it.”
Kabbes said Fayetteville’s inclusion in the limited group of venues speaks to both the planetarium’s technical capabilities and its growing reputation.
“We’re the only site in the Southeast offering this show,” he said. “That puts Fayetteville on the map in a way many people don’t expect.”
The experience pairs Pink Floyd’s original studio recording with immersive, space-themed visuals choreographed precisely to the album’s music and narrative arc. The visuals are projected across the planetarium’s 30-foot dome using ten 4K projectors, creating an image density that exceeds most domed theaters worldwide. A 6,500-watt sound system delivers the album’s layered soundscapes with clarity and power.
“The visuals aren’t random,” Kabbes said. “They’re designed to follow the emotional and philosophical journey of the album. When people sit inside the dome, they’re not just listening—they’re surrounded by the story.”
Kabbes, who has personally seen the production dozens of times, said audience reactions remain consistent.
“People tell me they hear things they’ve never noticed before,” he said. “Even lifelong fans walk out saying it felt like hearing the album for the first time.”
Beyond entertainment, the show has become an important source of support for the planetarium’s broader mission. Revenue generated from the Dark Side of the Moon screenings has allowed the facility to invest in upgraded servers, improved projection capabilities, and new educational programming.
“The success of this show directly supports our ability to stay current with technology,” Kabbes said. “It also allows us to bring in additional full-dome productions and expand what we can offer the community.”
In addition to the Pink Floyd experience, the FSU Planetarium hosts regular science programming throughout the year, including biweekly public science shows on Saturday evenings and telescope viewing sessions, weather permitting. The planetarium also plans to continue offering special events and educational programming for children, families, and school groups.
“We want people to see this as more than a one-time event,” Kabbes said. “The goal is to spark curiosity, whether that starts with music, astronomy, or both.”
As the 50th anniversary celebration continues into 2026, Fayetteville audiences will once again have the opportunity to experience a landmark album in the environment where it was first imagined under the stars.
Tickets and additional information are available at https://www.etix.com/ticket/?search=fsu+dark+side+of+the+moon