Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival

Colorado Springs Cool Science Carnival Festival

Discover 16 days of STEAM events and experiences for all ages throughout Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region.

Space Foundation Discovery Center joins Cool Science as a co-host of the 2026 Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival. From Oct. 3–18, organizations throughout the region will offer hands-on activities, demonstrations, tours and special events celebrating science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.

The festival begins Saturday, Oct. 3 with Cool Science Carnival Day for Kids at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Produced by Cool Science, the free event will feature dozens of hands-on STEAM activities for all ages. Space Foundation Discovery Center educators will lead an activity where participants can program Sphero robots.

Festival highlights include:

Oct. 3–18: Dry Panning for Gems and Minerals at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry

Oct. 7: Science Riot at Ivywild School, featuring stand-up comedy performed by scientists and engineers

Oct. 8: Space Science Shows at the U.S. Air Force Academy Planetarium and the Ultraviolet Evening Experience at Cave of the Winds

Oct. 10: National Fossil Day at Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center and a Community Stargazing Night at Thomas MacLaren School

Oct. 14: Engineering Open House and Stargazing Night at Pikes Peak State College

Oct. 16–17: Da Vinci After Dark and Spooky Science at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Pueblo

Oct. 17: Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum STEM Day and Chemistry Magic at Pikes Peak Library District’s Penrose Library

Events are available for children, families and adults. Many require advance registration, and some have limited capacity or charge a fee.