2026 Upcoming Festival Events
Looking for an event that already occurred? Check out the 2026 event archive.
Found 22 events matching your search.
Saturday, March 07, 2026
Fernbank Goes Wild
Saturday, 03/07/2026 - 10:30am to 2:30pm
Embark on a Wild Science Safari at Fernbank Science Center! Explore the Science Center like never before—uncovering fascinating creatures, carnivorous plants, and vibrant gardens. Dive into interactive experiences, take on hands-on science challenges, create cool life science projects, and get up close with real animals! Perfect for curious minds and adventurous families, this is more than just a visit—it’s a wild science adventure you won’t want to miss!
Stop by anytime for this drop-in event!
AUDIENCE(S): Adults, High School, Elem. School, Middle School, Preschool, Families
Rock n' Walk
Saturday, 03/07/2026 - 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Millions of years ago, a massive magma chamber cooled below the ground just outside of what is now Atlanta, never erupting through to the surface. Today, we call it Stone Mountain. Join folks from Georgia State University Geosciences on a hike to explore this unique granite dome, learning about the rock and what makes this spot in Atlanta so special including indigenous stories and cultural connections. You’ll also be able to ‘walk’ a Giant Traveling [..]
AUDIENCE(S): Adults, Families, Middle School, High School, Elem. School, Preschool
GGC Grizzlies in the Forest of Science
Saturday, 03/07/2026 - 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Step into a forest of discovery at Georgia Gwinnett College! You and your family are invited to explore hands-on science booths led by GGC’s faculty and students across biology, chemistry, physics, and more. Engage in fun experiments, collect stamps in your science passport, and experience the excitement of STEM in a welcoming, interactive environment. Join us for a day of curiosity, creativity, and community!
Stop by anytime for this drop-in event!
AUDIENCE(S): Families, Middle School, Elem. School, Preschool, High School
Sunday, March 08, 2026
12th Annual Salamander Stroll
Sunday, 03/08/2026 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Come on out to Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in Decatur and witness wildlife with the Research faculty and staff from Amphibian Foundation. Become ‘community scientists’ and perform an amphibian ‘bioblitz’ inventory of the preserve documenting salamanders and frogs in one of the greatest strongholds for amphibians inside of the perimeter! Everyone and their families are encouraged to attend and bring your cell phones to upload images of what we find to iNaturalist. Please note, we [..]
AUDIENCE(S): Families, Adults, High School, Middle School, Elem. School, Preschool
Painting Pollinators
Sunday, 03/08/2026 - 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Buzz on over to Sunday Funday and celebrate our native pollinators! Join Painting Pollinators to create a vibrant, collaborative artwork that honors bees, butterflies, and the plants that keep them thriving. Fun for all ages, come make your mark on nature!
We ask that you register in advance, but please come by anytime from 1-5pm for this drop in event!
AUDIENCE(S): Families, Elem. School, Preschool, Middle School
Explore The Weedy Garden with Margaret Renkl and Billy Renkl!
Sunday, 03/08/2026 - 3:00pm to 4:00pm
It’s Atlanta Science Festival time, and Little Shop is thrilled to welcome NYTimes writer Margaret Renkl and her brother Billy Renkl for a celebration of the wild wonders right outside our doors! Join this dynamic sibling duo as they share their newest picture book, The Weedy Garden, and invite kids and families to lean into curiosity during a special story time and author talk inspired by the natural world in our own backyards.
AUDIENCE(S): Families, Preschool, Elem. School
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Magical Milk: A Color Explosion
Thursday, 03/12/2026 - 11:00am to 1:00pm
Have an explosion in your kitchen! Would you rather your little one have an unplanned catastrophic explosion in your kitchen or would you prefer a carefully planned and educational explosion? Maybe you're thinking no explosion at all! Well, trust us that with only three common kitchen items, we will use the scientific method to design an experiment that will have your kids thrilled by the explosion of colors created when hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules interact. [..]
AUDIENCE(S): Middle School, Elem. School, Preschool, Families
Friday, March 13, 2026
Pigments, Pollinators, and Plant Potions!
Friday, 03/13/2026 - 11:00am to 1:00pm
Step into the colorful, fragrant world of plants! Discover how sunlight fuels life through photosynthesis, how flowers use scent to invite pollinators, and create your very own artwork using natural plant pigments. You’ll even take home a little vial of hydrosol you helped make, a fragrant reminder of your journey into plant chemistry. Through friendly, hands-on activities, small-group explorations, and playful demonstrations, you’ll: • Watch steam distillation in action and learn how essential oils and hydrosols are [..]
AUDIENCE(S): Adults, Elem. School, Middle School, Families, Preschool
Stars, Space Rocks, and Other Out of This World Awesomeness
Friday, 03/13/2026 - 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Join us for an evening of outer space exploration! There will be space rocks (meteorites) available for all to see and inspect, several fun astronomy related activities, and if the weather goes our way, we will look out into the universe from our observatory (starting at dusk)! Come on out for a space-tacular time!
Stop by anytime during the event window for this drop-in event!
AUDIENCE(S): Adults, Families, High School, Middle School, Elem. School, Preschool
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Animals in Motion: Biomechanics Day at Zoo Atlanta
Saturday, 03/14/2026 - 10:00am to 2:00pm
Ever wonder how orangutans swing, or how an elephant trunk works? Join us at Zoo Atlanta to celebrate the diversity of animals on Earth and the incredible ways they move. With help from biomechanics experts at Georgia Tech and other major US universities, you'll get to participate in live demonstrations and presentations sure to generate excitement about biomechanics and applications in bio-inspired design. No matter your age, you'll walk away engaged and inspired to learn [..]
AUDIENCE(S): Adults, Families, High School, Middle School, Elem. School, Preschool
Out of This World: Into Space with the Science Guys
Saturday, 03/14/2026 - 11:00am to 12:00pm
Join the Science Guys for an exciting show about the universe and how we explore it! You'll enjoy dozens of interactive experiments about life in a vacuum, spacewalks, rocket propulsion, and centrifugal force. Learn about the Solar System with everyone's favorite engineering marvel, the Hoberman Sphere! Blast off into space with the Science Guys at our "Out Of This World" show!
AUDIENCE(S): Families, Middle School, Elem. School, Preschool
Tiny Monsters of Sibley Pond
Saturday, 03/14/2026 - 11:00am to 3:00pm
Join the National Park Service staff for a tiny monster hunt! Discover the extraordinary biodiversity of strange, weird, and amazing creatures that live in Sibley Pond. Search through leaf litter, dig through detritus, collect critters and more! This is a hands on, get your fingers dirty field investigation. What tiny monsters will you find lurking in Sibley Pond? Do you dare discover? Stop by anytime for this drop in event! Please note, there is [..]
AUDIENCE(S): Families, Preschool, Elem. School, Middle School, High School, Adults
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Not Just Newts: Behind the Scenes with the Amphibian Foundation
Sunday, 03/15/2026 - 11:00am to 1:00pm
Decatur is home to a unique nonprofit dedicated to the conservation and research of amphibians amidst a global population decline. In 2016, the Amphibian Foundation formed to focus on conserving some of Georgia’s most imperiled species (Flatwoods Salamander, Gopher Frog, and Striped Newt). Since then AF has begun working on other native and globally endangered amphibians. Closed to the public, this is a chance to see the collections and meet Foundation staff working hard to [..]
AUDIENCE(S): Families, High School, Middle School, Elem. School, Preschool, Adults
Tiny Monsters of Sibley Pond
Sunday, 03/15/2026 - 11:00am to 3:00pm
Join the National Park Service staff for a tiny monster hunt! Discover the extraordinary biodiversity of strange, weird, and amazing creatures that live in Sibley Pond. Search through leaf litter, dig through detritus, collect critters and more! This is a hands on, get your fingers dirty field investigation. What tiny monsters will you find lurking in Sibley Pond? Do you dare discover? Stop by anytime for this drop in event! Please note, there is [..]
AUDIENCE(S): Families, Preschool, Elem. School, Middle School, High School, Adults
Flying into the Future
Sunday, 03/15/2026 - 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Flying into the Future is where science and nature collide to bring you activities focused on STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. We are all about forward-thinking at this Family Fun Day! Come ready to learn about flying animals with Wings to Soar, STEAM-themed partners, crafts, and activities that will test your knowledge. This year will include a preview activity of our seasonal STEAM focused interactive exhibit, River Roots. This exhibit, [..]
AUDIENCE(S): Adults, Families, Middle School, Elem. School, Preschool, High School
Critter Quest: Helping Science Discover Your Backyard Critters
Sunday, 03/15/2026 - 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Ever wondered what critters live in your backyard? Interested in helping scientists know more about where those critters live? We've got just the event for you! At our Community Science Training event, you'll learn about organizations studying wildlife in Atlanta and how you can help through Community Science. Join scientists as we show you the ins and outs of how we study wildlife and how you can too. These trainings will include birds, amphibians, and [..]
AUDIENCE(S): Adults, Families, High School, Middle School, Elem. School, Preschool
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Sprouting Scientists
Tuesday, 03/17/2026 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Little ones can be scientists too! Bring your toddler to discover the fabulous world of plants and animals at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Come and run among the spring blooms, listen to bird songs and have fun at hands-on learning stations!
Purchase regular admission to the Gardens and this event is included!
Future Innovators Day
Tuesday, 03/17/2026 - 3:00pm to 7:00pm
Dive into the world of STEM at JSAC! Explore hands-on robotics, Virtual Reality, programming, gaming competition, and Science on a Sphere in interactive activities where you can build, code, and experiment like a real scientist or engineer. Work one-on-one with mentors, collaborate in small groups, meet our community of gifted students, and experience immersive demos that bring science and technology to life. Founded by world-renowned inventor Dr. Lonnie Johnson, this event is perfect for curious [..]
AUDIENCE(S): High School, Middle School, Elem. School, Preschool
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Spectacular Snakes
Thursday, 03/19/2026 - 9:30am to 10:30am
Calling all Adventure Cubs, ages 0-5, and their favorite grownups for a morning of exploration, learning and fun!
Explorers will learn about Spectacular Snakes through a game, craft, story, and singalong before visiting snake habitats at Zoo Atlanta to make observations and draw connections to the lesson. This is a great opportunity to make friends and spend time with your little explorers as they discover new skills and learn about wildlife.
Program registration includes Zoo admission.
STEMFEST: Hands-On Science for Families at Oglethorpe University
Thursday, 03/19/2026 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Are you ready to get your science on in Brookhaven? Oglethorpe University students and science faculty welcome you to our campus for an evening of green, interactive STEM activities. We will wow you with chemistry, blow your mind with biology, have some fun with physics, and get you excited about all that science has to offer. Join us for this fun, hands-on, family-friendly event! Please complete one registration per family member. Advance registration is preferred, [..]
AUDIENCE(S): Families, Elem. School, Preschool, Middle School
Friday, March 20, 2026
Science Is Lit!
Friday, 03/20/2026 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Join us at Fernbank Science Center for a special children’s science book celebration, headlined by award-winning author Jennifer Swanson and presented in partnership with Brave + Kind Bookstore! Discover amazing authors and science-themed books for children of all ages. Enjoy family-friendly discussions, hands-on science activities, and engaging literacy experiences that bring stories to life. Celebrate the joy of reading, creativity, and discovery at this inspiring community event for curious minds of all ages!
AUDIENCE(S): Families, Preschool, Elem. School
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Exploration Expo
Saturday, 03/21/2026 - 10:00am to 4:00pm
Come on out to the unmissable conclusion of the 2026 Atlanta Science Festival! Hundreds of hands-on science activities at our city's biggest science party. And, it's free!
AUDIENCE(S): Families, Adults, High School, Middle School, Elem. School, Preschool
