Whether in someone’s living room, a swinging nightclub or a world-class science museum, Yuri’s Night events all have one thing in common – people who are excited about space exploration and who want to join together to celebrate it. The public is encouraged to create their own Yuri’s Night event!

“Let’s go!”

These were the words spoken by Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin as he embarked on the historic first manned space flight on 12 April 1961. Twenty years later on 12 April 1981, the US launched the first space shuttle flight. We think that’s something worth celebrating – so we do! Every year on April 12th Yuri’s Night is celebrated all around the world – last year there were nearly 200 events or parties held in over 51 countries worldwide – and this year looks set to be even bigger. The range of events is as diverse as the people who hold them – even the residents of the International Space Station have been known to join in the fun!

Project owners + coordinators:
Loretta Hidalgo, co-creator
George Whitesides, co-creator
Tim Bailey, assistant director
Jason Cranford Teague, internet strategist