2026 Science on the Square – Madison Night Market Fusion
A downtown street festival blending hands-on science activities, physics demos, and local market vendors.
Join us for one fantastic night blending science with downtown Madison businesses! Back for its ninth year, the ever-popular Science on the Square event is again fusing with the Madison Night Market to create a unique way to explore hands-on science activities while also supporting local businesses and vendors. In 2026, our festival focus is on Us – celebrating the science of humans and the humans who do science. At Science on the Square, outdoor STEAM-themed activities will mix with Madison Night Market vendor tents throughout State Street. Indoor locations will showcase interesting exhibits, talks, and hands-on activities for you to check out as well. Learn more about the science that surrounds us every day while exploring downtown Madison. Be sure to stop by the top of State Street (near the capitol) to see physics demonstrations and more! The Wisconsin Science Festival and Madison’s Central Business Improvement District are proud to bring you an event you won’t want to miss. Join us in downtown Madison between 5 and 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, for fun for all ages! Information about participating businesses and hands-on stations will be available closer to the event! Want to learn more? Check out our Science on the Square blogs in the ArcHive !
