Week of Events
Wisconsin Science Festival
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Celebrate curiosity statewide - October 15-25th!. The 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival is once again taking 10 days to celebrate science, art, and technology all across the state! Visit our website, wiscifest.org, to browse hundreds of events in over 55 counties throughout Wisconsin. CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/find-an-event/
Nature Explorers – Join the WiSciFest BioBlitz
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Unleash your curiosity with the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival BioBlitz. Take part in a 10-day, statewide BioBlitz as part of the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival! Share your observations in the iNaturalist project and learn more about to participate at wiscifest.org/bioblitz! CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/bioblitz/
Wisconsin Science Festival
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Celebrate curiosity statewide - October 15-25th!. The 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival is once again taking 10 days to celebrate science, art, and technology all across the state! Visit our website, wiscifest.org, to browse hundreds of events in over 55 counties throughout Wisconsin. CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/find-an-event/
Nature Explorers – Join the WiSciFest BioBlitz
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Unleash your curiosity with the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival BioBlitz. Take part in a 10-day, statewide BioBlitz as part of the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival! Share your observations in the iNaturalist project and learn more about to participate at wiscifest.org/bioblitz! CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/bioblitz/
Wisconsin Science Festival
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Celebrate curiosity statewide - October 15-25th!. The 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival is once again taking 10 days to celebrate science, art, and technology all across the state! Visit our website, wiscifest.org, to browse hundreds of events in over 55 counties throughout Wisconsin. CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/find-an-event/
Nature Explorers – Join the WiSciFest BioBlitz
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Unleash your curiosity with the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival BioBlitz. Take part in a 10-day, statewide BioBlitz as part of the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival! Share your observations in the iNaturalist project and learn more about to participate at wiscifest.org/bioblitz! CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/bioblitz/
Wisconsin Science Festival
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Celebrate curiosity statewide - October 15-25th!. The 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival is once again taking 10 days to celebrate science, art, and technology all across the state! Visit our website, wiscifest.org, to browse hundreds of events in over 55 counties throughout Wisconsin. CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/find-an-event/
Nature Explorers – Join the WiSciFest BioBlitz
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Unleash your curiosity with the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival BioBlitz. Take part in a 10-day, statewide BioBlitz as part of the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival! Share your observations in the iNaturalist project and learn more about to participate at wiscifest.org/bioblitz! CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/bioblitz/
Wisconsin Science Festival
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Celebrate curiosity statewide - October 15-25th!. The 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival is once again taking 10 days to celebrate science, art, and technology all across the state! Visit our website, wiscifest.org, to browse hundreds of events in over 55 counties throughout Wisconsin. CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/find-an-event/
Nature Explorers – Join the WiSciFest BioBlitz
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Unleash your curiosity with the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival BioBlitz. Take part in a 10-day, statewide BioBlitz as part of the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival! Share your observations in the iNaturalist project and learn more about to participate at wiscifest.org/bioblitz! CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/bioblitz/
Wisconsin Science Festival
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Celebrate curiosity statewide - October 15-25th!. The 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival is once again taking 10 days to celebrate science, art, and technology all across the state! Visit our website, wiscifest.org, to browse hundreds of events in over 55 counties throughout Wisconsin. CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/find-an-event/
Nature Explorers – Join the WiSciFest BioBlitz
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Unleash your curiosity with the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival BioBlitz. Take part in a 10-day, statewide BioBlitz as part of the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival! Share your observations in the iNaturalist project and learn more about to participate at wiscifest.org/bioblitz! CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/bioblitz/
Wisconsin Science Festival
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Celebrate curiosity statewide - October 15-25th!. The 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival is once again taking 10 days to celebrate science, art, and technology all across the state! Visit our website, wiscifest.org, to browse hundreds of events in over 55 counties throughout Wisconsin. CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/find-an-event/
Nature Explorers – Join the WiSciFest BioBlitz
*Note: actual end time may vary.* Unleash your curiosity with the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival BioBlitz. Take part in a 10-day, statewide BioBlitz as part of the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival! Share your observations in the iNaturalist project and learn more about to participate at wiscifest.org/bioblitz! CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/bioblitz/
Sunday, October 18, 2026
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October 18, 2026 -Stumble into Science Pub Crawl
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October 18, 2026 -Stumble into Science Pub Crawl
Stumble into Science Pub Crawl
Explore downtown Madison and learn a thing or two along the way. A guided pub crawl to some of Madison’s most iconic pubs, with a science festival twist! Each pub will have researchers stationed there to answer your craziest questions about their research. Pub themes will range from microbiology to astronomy to cannabis research! CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/event/stumble-into-science/
Stumble into Science Pub Crawl
A guided pub crawl to some of Madison’s most iconic pubs, with a science festival twist!A guided pub crawl to some of Madison’s most iconic pubs, with a science festival twist! Each pub will have researchers stationed there to answer your craziest questions about their research. Pub themes will range from microbiology to astronomy to cannabis research! Registration includes a lineup of exclusive Wisconsin Science Festival swag, and more!Check-in starts at 4:30pm at the Up North pub. See the whole line-up below - more details still to come!Pub Crawl Schedule and Topics:4:30pm – Check-in at Up North PubUp North Pub - [...]
Monday, October 19, 2026
No events on this day.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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October 20, 2026 -Crossroads of Ideas: Funding the Future of Science
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October 20, 2026 -Crossroads of Ideas: Funding the Future of Science
Crossroads of Ideas: Funding the Future of Science
Part of the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival!Crossroads of Ideas: Funding the Future of ScienceHow America Funds Discovery – Research, Innovation, and What Comes NextTuesday, October 20 – 7pm – Discovery Building, Deluca ForumHow we fund research shapes what questions get asked, which ideas have the opportunity to grow, and how discoveries move into the world. For decades, the U.S. has relied heavily on a university-centered model, but the landscape of research funding is evolving, with new approaches and priorities emerging.Join us for a conversation about the future of research funding in America. Panelists Sam Rikkers (Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.), Dorota Brzezinska [...]
Crossroads of Ideas: Funding the Future of Science
How America Funds Discovery – Research, Innovation, and What Comes Next. How we fund research shapes what questions get asked, which ideas have the opportunity to grow, and how discoveries move into the world. For decades, the U.S. has relied heavily on a university-centered model, but the landscape of research funding is evolving, with new approaches and priorities emerging. Join us for a conversation about the future of research funding in America! CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/event/crossroads-of-ideas-funding-the-future-of-science/
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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October 21, 2026 -Sci-prov: The Show
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October 21, 2026 -Sci-prov: The Show
Sci-prov: The Show
Where Science Meets Improv Comedy! Learn, laugh, improv.Join the Illuminating Discovery Hub and Amalgam Improv for an evening fusing science and spontaneous improv comedy like no other at Sci-Prov!Sci-prov combines science and improv in creative, funny, and never before seen ways. Scientists will present their work in short, digestible presentations followed by brief Q&A, all of which can become fodder for the improv scenes. The improv scenes are created on the fly & unique to each show.Light refreshments and cash bar available. Tickets are free and registration is requested to ensure adequate seating.We value inclusion and access for all participants. If [...]
Sci-prov: The Show
Where science meets improv!. Join the Illuminating Discovery Hub and Amalgam Improv for an evening fusing science and spontaneous improv comedy like no other at Sci-Prov! Sci-prov combines science and improv in creative, funny, and never before seen ways. Scientists will present their work in short, digestible presentations followed by brief Q&A, all of which can become fodder for the improv scenes. The improv scenes are created on the fly & unique to each show. CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/event/sci-prov/
Thursday, October 22, 2026
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October 22, 2026 -The WhySci Variety Show
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October 22, 2026 -WhySci Variety Show
The WhySci Variety Show
The most science-inspired variety show in town! Produced by the Wisconsin Science Festival and the UW-Madison Division of the Arts.Get ready to unleash your curiosity at the Why Sci Variety Show—a high-energy mashup of science talks, artful performances, and live music! This year’s theme is Us, celebrating the science of humans and the humans who do science. Expect brainy beats, genealogy jokes, and scientific showmanship that will have you thinking and tapping your toes.Hosted by the always-entertaining Ben Rush with opening remarks by Wisconsin Public Radio's Lee Rayburn.See full line up of talks and performers here.Doors and bar open at 6:30pm [...]
WhySci Variety Show
The best show in town!. Get ready to rock your curiosity at the WhySci Variety Show—a high-energy mashup of science talks, artful performances, and live music! Hosted by the always-entertaining Ben Rush! Opening remarks featuring Wisconsin Public Radio’s Lee Rayburn. This event is part of the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival! CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/event/the-why-sci-variety-show/
Friday, October 23, 2026
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October 23, 2026 -Geospatial Data Science Speaker Series: Dr. Peng Luo
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October 23, 2026 -SoundWaves: Origins – The Birth of Everything
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October 23, 2026 -SoundWaves: Origins – The Birth of Everything
Geospatial Data Science Speaker Series: Dr. Peng Luo
How to Trust Your Imperfect GeoAI Model. Hosted by the GeoDS Lab@UW-Madison Co-sponsored by the UW-Madison Data Science Institute. Guest Speaker: Dr. Peng Luo, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Iowa. Abstract: This talk will discuss several recent works on spatially explicit uncertainty quantification, including geographically aware conformal prediction for spatial models, uncertainty quantification for geospatial explainable AI, and regionally risk-controlled spatial decision-making. CONTACT: 262-2139, song.gao@wisc.edu URL: https://geography.wisc.edu/geods/
SoundWaves: Origins – The Birth of Everything
Join us for the first in the new series of SoundWaves where will explore the origins of life, the universe, and everything!Where do we come from? Where does anything come from? This new series of SoundWaves brings together leading academic researchers and live music to explore origins at every scale - from the birth of the universe to the first human communities. Each edition pairs scholars from distinct disciplines with a musical program to answer the oldest questions we know.This event will take place in Collins Recital Hall in the Hamel Music Center.This first SoundWaves event of the year launches our [...]
SoundWaves: Origins – The Birth of Everything
Where do we come from? Where does anything come from?. This new series of SoundWaves brings together leading academic researchers and live music to explore origins at every scale – from the birth of the universe to the first human communities. Each edition pairs scholars from distinct disciplines with a musical program to answer the oldest questions we know. This first SoundWaves event of the year launches our year-long exploration of Origins. Part of the Wisconsin Science Festival and Klez Fest! CONTACT: 316-4390, info@wiscifest.org URL: https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/event/soundwaves-origins-the-birth-of-everything/
Saturday, October 24, 2026
No events on this day.
