Guide

Join Us

Interested in attending? We welcome you to join us at the Aurora Summit! Watch for the link to register on Eventzilla, which is usually posted on the homepage in June.

Last Updated: June 2, 2026

Follow these steps when you sign up:

1. Reserve your lodging separately. We have reserved a room block at the host hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites in Houghton. Hot breakfast is provided for guests staying at the host hotel:
   
   Our host hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites
   820 Shelden Avenue, Houghton, MI, USA, 49931
   To book a room, visit: https://group.hamptoninn.com/002ufz
   
   Or call (833) 320-2963 and mention the Aurora Summit
   
   An easy walking distance of 3-4 blocks from the Aurora Summit venue, the Hampton* features many amenities, including northward-facing balconies in some rooms. The amenities include an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, business center, free parking, restaurant on site, and free internet. Lodging is not included in Aurora Summit admission. Hotel website.
   
   Houghton is a four-season city with a major university, located on beautiful waterfront in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, within the distinctive Keweenaw Peninsula. Many hotels and amenities are available in the city. For more options including economy rates, scroll down to view Lodging Options.
   
   *In a change from past years, the hotel is not pet-friendly.
   
2. We are happy to provide meals during the Aurora Summit! These are included in admission, with the exception of breakfast. For those staying at the host hotel with a free hot breakfast, all meals are included from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate all dietary restrictions.
3. Consider whether you’d like to attend the optional, pre-conference program of AS26 Photography Bootcamp, teaching you everything you know to take wonderful night sky photographs. This optional bootcamp is offered at an added cost, with lunch included.
4. Registration is required to attend the Aurora Summit. Please register on Eventzilla by Oct. 1.
5. Submit a photo to the Aurora Summit Slideshow. Your photograph will be featured on the big screen during the Aurora Summit Banquet on Saturday night. Find out how at the link!
6. Shirts will not be sold during the conference. If you’d like to buy apparel, order online so your shirts and gear can be shipped to you in advance of the event. Currently, we do not offer shirt sales on location.

Connect with other guests by joining the Aurora Summit Facebook Group! You can also RSVP to connect with other guests on the Facebook Event Aurora Summit 26, and the pre-con AS26 Photography Bootcamp, or post using the hashtag #AuroraSummit26.

Coming Soon! View our Speakers and the full Conference Schedule.

Learn more About the event.

Locations

Our event will take place this year in two locations located in Houghton, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula:

• AS26 Photography Bootcamp — ATDC Building, Michigan Tech’s campus
  1402 Sharon Avenue, Houghton, Michigan 49931
  (Optional add-on program, lunch included, hands-on training customized to your gear)
  
• Aurora Summit 26: Celebrating the Art, Culture, Science and Photography of the Aurora — BONFIRE! at the Continental Fire Co. (event center/venue)
  408 East Montezuma Avenue, Houghton, Michigan 49931
  (Meals included, hot breakfast provided at host hotel)

Lodging Options

Program activities during the Aurora Summit day and evening camera clinics will take place at the Host Venue at BONFIRE!

Holiday Inn Express ($$)
215 Shelden Ave, Houghton, MI 49931

Country Inn & Suites ($$)
919 Razorback Dr, Houghton, MI 49931

Super 8 by Wyndham ($)
1200 E Lakeshore Dr, Houghton, MI 49931

Quality Inn & Suites Houghton Downtown ($)
215 Shelden Ave, Houghton, MI 49931


Ramada by Wyndham ($$)
99 Navy St, Hancock, MI 49930

Magnuson Hotel Copper Crown ($)
235 Hancock St, Hancock, MI 49930

The Lodge Luxury Suites ($$$)
101 Front St, Hancock, MI 49930

There are also many houses listed in Airbnb for the area.

Other Area Attractions

Welcome to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which touches four of the five Great Lakes in a region that frequently experiences the Northern Lights. With the exception of Isle Royale National Park, this peninsula leads to the northernmost point of Michigan by land. Once you arrive, you’ll find you wish you had more time to explore the beautiful beaches, historic mines and museums, and stunning state parks and recreational areas.

The Keweenaw Peninsula

The Keweenaw Peninsula, which rests at the northern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, offers beautiful scenery, historic mining towns, waterfalls, fishing, hiking and more.

More details coming soon!

On Location

Coming to the Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for the first time, the Aurora Summit is surrounded by beautiful state parks and scenery, including lighthouses, rivers, waterfalls, and palisades. With a day pass to the state parks system, guests can take advantage of all the parks during the day.

Activities after hours include everything from Aurora Chasing and DIY Light Painting to Night Sky Photography. On Saturday night, we walk outside of the venue or host hotel to enjoy the night sky and take photographs.Pack for cold temps, bring camera gear with safe storage, pack a laptop for photo editing if desired, and plan to be out late, immersed in the wonders of the night sky!

Sunrise or sunset over the water, mountainous peninsula or lift-bridge is a must! Find a good view on the many beaches in the area, and these sunrises and sunsets are sure to amaze you. Whether you’re a photographer or not, don’t miss it!

Aurora Summit 26

Full Admission: $349, plus fees

Dates: Friday, November 6 — Sunday, November 8, 2026

Host Venue: BONFIRE! at the Continental Fire Co.

Location: Houghton, Michigan, USA

Questions? Read the FAQ

BONFIRE at the Continental Fire Co.
408 East Montezuma Avenue
Houghton, Michigan 49931

When you book your hotel, please call and mention the Aurora Summit!

Open to the Public

The Aurora Summit is open to the public, but it is limited to adults ages 18 and up. If a minor wishes to attend, we request the signature of a parent/guardian on consent forms. Guests must register in advance of the conference.

The conference package typically includes meals and more than 10 sessions on photography and night sky topics, with a keynote speaker and special events. Guests are responsible for their own lodging.

Have more questions? Check out the FAQ.

Photo by Jonatan Pie.