Los Alamos ScienceFest Brings STEAM Fun to 19th Year

Los Alamos is transforming into a playground of discovery as ScienceFest celebrates its 19th year from September 18-26, 2026. The week-long festival brings together scientists, educators, artists, and curious minds for hands-on experiences that make STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) accessible to all ages.

This year's theme, "It's All Elemental!", explores how science connects to everyday life. The festival has become a beloved tradition, drawing thousands of visitors who get to experiment, ask questions, and meet the scientists and educators shaping their community.

The heart of the celebration happens at Discovery Day on September 26, when Fuller Lodge and its downtown surroundings buzz with activity from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can explore interactive demonstrations, watch live performances, and dive into activities ranging from live coding performances to electric vehicle showcases.

Throughout the week leading up to Discovery Day, partners offer unique experiences that blend science with nature and community. Families can harvest seeds with the Pajarito Environmental Education Center, practice forest bathing at Bandelier National Monument, or explore insects on guided walks.

The Ripple Effect

ScienceFest is growing beyond its hometown borders for the first time. A new regional pilot program brings science celebrations to communities across northern New Mexico, starting with the Los Luceros Annual Fall Festival and extending to sites like Valles Caldera National Preserve.

This expansion highlights how science, culture, history, and art intertwine throughout the region. By taking the festival to new locations, organizers are making discovery accessible to communities that might not travel to Los Alamos.

Adults get their own celebration on September 26 evening with Discovery After Dark from 5-9 p.m. Grown-ups can rediscover their inner child through silent discos with mocktails, code-breaking games, lava lamp activities, and even aerial silks at the STEAMLab.

The festival relies on dozens of partners, sponsors, and volunteers who believe in making science playful and engaging. Organizations like the Bradbury Science Museum, local libraries, theaters, and environmental centers join forces to create an experience that feels more like a community party than a lecture.

With activities spanning from astronomy star parties to one-act plays, chemistry demonstrations to zero waste programs, ScienceFest offers something for everyone. The message is clear: science isn't just for scientists in labs; it's for curious minds of all ages who want to understand and celebrate the world around them.

Nine days of discovery await anyone ready to explore, experiment, and see science in a whole new light.