By Samantha Mulrooney, smulrooney@wisc.edu

Have you ever wondered what makes us human? Explore the many answers to that question during the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival, a jam-packed 10 days devoted to the science of humans and the humans who do science.

Now in its 16th year, the Wisconsin Science Festival has grown from a local three-day event in Madison into a statewide celebration featuring more than 650 events across more than 55 counties. From hands-on experiments and behind-the-scenes tours to live performances, community conversations and outdoor adventures, this year’s festival invites people of all ages to explore “Us,” the 2026 feature theme.

“The Wisconsin Science Festival is a celebration of curiosity in action, inviting people of all ages and from every corner of our state to explore, ask questions and discover something new,” said Samantha Mulrooney, director of the Wisconsin Science Festival at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. “It’s also a chance to shine a light on the incredible innovative and creative minds who make Wisconsin such a special place.”

The festival kicks off in Madison on Thursday, October 15, with fan-favorite Science on the Square, presented in partnership with the Madison Night Market. Against the backdrop of the Capitol, visitors can explore hands-on science activities alongside food trucks, local artisans and other Madison Night Market attractions.

Madison continues to be a hub of festival activity throughout the 10-day celebration. At the UW-Madison Campus Open House, visitors can explore campus spaces like the L.R. Ingersoll Wonders of Physics Museum and the 3^rd annual Wisconsin Weather Festival, while meeting researchers and experiencing science up close. At Science & Soccer Night with Forward Madison FC, the worlds of science and sport come together for an evening that explores the science behind the beautiful game.

The festival also brings science to the stage. The Why Sci Variety Show combines science talks, artful performances, comedy and live music for an energetic evening of unexpected discoveries. At Sci-Prov, scientists and improvisers team up to turn scientific ideas into spontaneous comedy. Crossroads of Ideas, the Illuminating Discovery Hub’s monthly public conversation series, returns as a signature festival event exploring big questions about the future of research and discovery.

Music and science meet through SoundWaves, a long-running festival program that explores scientific ideas through live music and performance. Meanwhile, the Stumble into Science Pub Crawl invites curious adults to visit Madison-area establishments for informal conversations, demonstrations and opportunities to connect with scientists outside the traditional classroom.

The festival extends well beyond Madison, with opportunities to discover science close to home. At Treinen Farm, visitors can explore connections between agriculture, nature and science in a setting where learning and outdoor adventure come together. Badger Talks bring UW-Madison researchers and their work into communities and gathering places, creating opportunities for informal conversations about the science shaping our world.

The Wisconsin Book Festival, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, also joins the festival for a slate of crossover events connecting science, storytelling and the human experience. The partnership with the Wisconsin Science Festival has continued for more than a decade, giving audiences opportunities to explore topics ranging from parasites and xenotransplantation to rivers, trees and the many ways science intersects with our lives.

Libraries across the region are also bringing the festival home through Science in a Bag, a popular take-home program now in its sixth year. More than 3,000 science kits will be distributed through participating libraries across Wisconsin, giving families an opportunity to explore hands-on activities together. In the Madison area, participating locations include Madison Central Library, Monona Public Library, Cross Plains Public Library and Deerfield Public Library.

Across Wisconsin, this year’s festival also highlights the powerful connections between science and the arts. Locally, visitors can explore art inspired by scientific discovery at the John D. Wiley Gallery, experience the history of occupational and art therapy at Ebling Library, appreciate the magic of bubbles at Kids in the Rotunda, or build a Rube Goldberg project with an award-winning illustrator in DeForest. From magic and engineering to genetics, astronomy, human health and the natural world, the festival offers countless ways to see familiar questions from a new perspective.

The breadth of the Wisconsin Science Festival reflects its original mission: to make science and discovery accessible, engaging and relevant to everyone. Whether you are a lifelong science enthusiast, a family looking for a hands-on activity, an artist curious about the science behind your work, or simply someone with a question, there is an opportunity to get curious.

Join us October 15–25 and discover the science of Us in Madison, across the region and throughout Wisconsin.

Visit wiscifest.org to explore the full festival schedule, browse the interactive map and find hundreds of additional events happening in communities across the state.