EMPIRE, MI - Night sky lovers, it's time to do your happy dance.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has released its list of 2018 star parties, and the first one kicks off this weekend.

There are all kinds of different treats being featured in this year's lineup.

Some events will focus on spotting planets and constellations. Others are timed to take advantage of a meteor shower.

And there are at least a couple double features: Come during the day to observe the sun through a special solar telescope, then stop back at night for storytelling and star clusters when the sky goes dark.

Many dark sky lovers in Michigan know Sleeping Bear Dunes is a great nighttime spot to lay back on a blanket and watch the celestial show unfurl overhead. It's far away from urban light pollution. And its long stretch of Lake Michigan coastline makes it perfect for stargazing while listening to the waves as background music.

The park's monthly astronomy programs will run from April through October. They will be held at different spots in Sleeping Bear, hosted by park rangers and members of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society.

Here's the lineup:

April 14 (9:00-11:00 p.m.), Platte River Point

Get out to the beach to view Venus before it sets over the western horizon. Weather permitting, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the Orion Nebula after 9:30 p.m.

May 26 (9:00-11:00 p.m.), Dune Climb

Tonight's focus will be a 93% gibbous moon and the planets Venus and Jupiter. Please park in the row furthest from the dunes with your headlights facing M-109.

June 23 (4:00-6:00 p.m. and 9:00-11:00 p.m.), Dune Climb

On this date, two events offer you opportunities to focus on the sky. The first event's focus is on our closest star, the sun, using solar telescopes. The second event's focus will be an 85% gibbous moon and will offer a great chance to view distant celestial objects as well as the evening planets of Venus and Jupiter.

July 14 (4:00-6:00 p.m. and 9:00-11:00 p.m.), Dune Climb

Safely examine the sun up close with solar telescopes during the afternoon at the Dune Climb and then come back a little later to relax under the stars and observe Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn. Mars will make its appearance around 11:00 p.m.

August 11 (4:00-6:00 p.m. and 9:00-11:00 p.m.), Port Oneida (site to be determined)

Celebrate the last day of the Port Oneida Fair with a dual Star Party event. Finish off your afternoon with a solar viewing and then come back after dinner for a Star Party treat. Observe the beautiful summer night sky constellations, Saturn, and possibly a few bright Perseid meteors. The Perseid meteor shower is one of the very best showers to observe and this evening will be the day before the peak.

September 8 (9:00-11:00 p.m.), Dune Climb

This event takes place only one day before a new moon, providing an excellent opportunity to observe deep space objects, the Milky Way, in addition to the planets Mars and Saturn.

October 21 (8:00-10:00 p.m.), Dune Climb

This date marks the 48th Anniversary of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Celebrate the National Lakeshore's birthday with the final Star Party of 2018. This will be a great occasion to observe the 93% gibbous moon and planets Mars and Saturn.

All the events are free. Visitors do need to have a daily or annual park entrance pass on their vehicles. Passes may be purchased at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire.

What to pack? The park suggests bringing a red filtered flashlight - because a white light will spoil your night vision - for the walk back to your cars. You might also want to pack binoculars, water, bug spray, beach chairs and blankets.

Sleeping Bear rangers will cancel the events if there is bad weather, or if the skies are too cloudy for star gazing. The decision to cancel will be made two hours in advance of the event. You can call 231-326-4700, ext. 5005, for a voicemail message with the decision.