Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival Returns Oct. 3–18 — 16 Days of Free STEAM for Families

One of the best free family events in Colorado Springs is back — and it is bigger than ever.

The Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival returns October 3–18, 2026, bringing 16 days of science, technology, engineering, art, and math events to locations across the Pikes Peak Region. Most events are free, and the festival is designed for all ages — from kindergarteners attending their first science demonstration to high schoolers exploring real research careers.

Carnival Day at UCCS

The centerpiece of the festival is Cool Science Carnival Day at UCCS on Saturday, October 3. This free event — including free parking — transforms the university campus into a hands-on science playground for families and K–8 students.

Carnival Day activities include science magic shows, laboratory tours, model rockets, slime, drones, live animals, virtual reality experiences, robots, liquid nitrogen treats, and dozens of interactive stations run by scientists, engineers, students, and educators from across the Pikes Peak Region.

The event is organized specifically to be accessible: no ticket purchase required, no registration required, and no cost to attend. Families can come for an hour or spend the whole day exploring.

Sixteen Days Across Colorado Springs

Beyond Carnival Day, the Cool Science Festival hosts events at venues throughout Colorado Springs and the broader Pikes Peak Region from October 3 through October 18. The full schedule includes events at schools, libraries, museums, and community spaces.

Most festival events are offered at no cost. Some may charge a small admission fee. Families can check coolscience.org for the complete schedule, including dates, locations, ages, and any admission details for each event.

The festival draws participants from multiple schools, universities, and local organizations, making it one of the most community-driven science education events in southern Colorado each year.

Why It Matters for COS Families

The Cool Science Festival fills a gap that not every family has access to year-round: free, hands-on science experiences that go beyond what a classroom can offer. For children who are curious about science but have not had exposure to working scientists or engineers, Carnival Day in particular can be a meaningful first encounter.

For families with students in Colorado Springs schools — whether public, charter, or homeschool — the festival is also a natural complement to what students are studying in class. Teachers often recommend it as a supplement to STEAM curriculum.

What's Next

Carnival Day is October 3 at UCCS — less than two weeks away. Families who want to attend should plan to arrive early, as the event draws large crowds. Strollers and wagons are welcome. There is no need to register in advance.

For the full schedule of all 16 days of events, visit coolscience.org. The site is updated as new events are added to the lineup.