Each spring break, families look for fun things to fill those wide-open days off from school. In Waukesha, WI, the laser shows at the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium are doing exactly that by transforming their traditional planetarium space into an immersive, music-driven experience. Powered behind the scenes by TicketLeap, these events are not only lighting up the dome, but also fueling a larger mission to keep the planetarium shining for years to come.

The magic of this planetarium’s laser shows

For the past several years, the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium has offered laser shows that have been popular in the local community. Now, as part of their Don't Let the Planetarium Go Dark fundraising campaign, the spring of 2026 marks an exciting first: a full lineup of daytime and evening laser shows during kids’ spring break. Designed for music lovers of all ages, the shows feature everything from nostalgic soundtracks like Stranger Things to iconic artists such as Pink Floyd, Metallica, Journey, The Beatles, and Taylor Swift. They also host educational programs such as “Celebration of Flight” and “A Brief Mystery of Time.” The result is a weeklong series that blends entertainment and learning in a way only a planetarium can.

So, what does an immersive laser show look like inside a planetarium? Guests sit beneath a darkened dome as vivid beams of color sweep overhead, pulse with the rhythm of the music, and form intricate patterns that feel almost three-dimensional. It’s part concert, part visual art, and part shared with your community.

Planetarium Director Lisa Swaney recalls one moment that perfectly captured the magic of these shows. After attending the sold-out Taylor Swift laser show last year, a young girl looked up to her dad and thanked him for taking her, saying this was her “best day ever.” Her sister enthusiastically agreed saying, “I agree Dad! Thank you so much! BEST DAY EVER!” Moments like this are what make immersive light shows so special and unique. They bring people together, creating shared experiences that can be cherished for a lifetime.

Powering these laser show experiences with TicketLeap

When Lisa first stepped into her role as Planetarium Director, it was clear there was a need for an easy, reliable way to sell tickets online. This search led her to TicketLeap, a platform that offered an intuitive, cost-effective way to manage everything from weekly public shows to special seasonal events. In fact, Lisa stated, “I loved it so much I passed my experience onto other planetariums.”

Her team can list programs months in advance, manage all their ticket sales in one place, and quickly check in attendees – an essential advantage for a small but busy organization. TicketLeap’s support team has also made a meaningful difference. Lisa shared how she appreciated our team’s quick responses and hands-on help whenever any issues arose. 

The recent discovery of TicketLeap’s built-in donation ticket feature has been especially helpful, giving guests the option to contribute directly to the planetarium while purchasing tickets. As they now run a huge fundraising campaign to upgrade their planetarium system, Lisa stated how this donation feature has been “instrumental to us.” With public shows offered multiple times each week and special events layered throughout the year, TicketLeap has become a central part of the planetarium’s operations.

Lighting up the dome and the community

These Spring Break Laser Shows are a creative way to bring families together through lights, music, and smart technology. By pairing these immersive experiences with a powerful event ticketing software like TicketLeap, the team at Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium is not only selling out shows. They’re creating lasting memories, progressing towards their fundraising goals, and ensuring their planetarium continues to shine for years to come.To learn more about these laser shows, you can follow their events on Facebook or Instagram.