| 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Oct 24-25, 2025 (Fri/Sat 7:00-8:30) | Physics is Phun
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at the University of Maryland
Spooky Science Show Physics is Phun is an outstanding long-running physics demonstration series geared toward a high school audience with a focus on education and entertainment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nov 22-23, 2025 Sat 10am - 6pm Sun 10am - 4 pm | 33rd Annual Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show & Sale
George Mason University - Dewberry Hall (in the Johnson Center) Rte 123 & Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA
Approximately 20 Dealers selling Minerals, Fossils, Crystals, Gems, Jewelry, Meteorites & more!
Sponsored by
Northern Virginia Mineral Club (NVMC)
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| Nov 27, 2025 (Thursday) | Thanksgiving - the fourth Thursday of November | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jan 16-17, 2026 (Fri & Sat) Fri 9-5 Sat 9-5 | Cabin Fever Expo
- 29th Event
Model Engineering Show & Auctions Lebanon Valley Expo Center, Lebanon, PA - map Steam engines, Boats (on an indoor pond), and Trains
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| Feb 18-22, 2026 (Wed thru Sun) | G4G16
- Gathering 4 Gardner Biennial Conference
Hyatt Regency, San Francisco, California, USA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Feb 27, 2026 | STEAM Night at Colvin Run Elementary
1400 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 (north end by Wolf Trap) Gravity is Optional will participate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 14 - 15, 2026 March 21 - 22, 2026 | Highland County Maple Festival
Highland County, Virginia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March ? - 9, 2026 March ? - 16, 2026 10AM to 2PM | Maple Syrup Festival at Cunningham Falls State Park
This event has been a staple in Frederick County for more than 50 years. Frederick County, Maryland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 21-22, 2026 Sat 10-6 Sun 11-5 | Annual Gem / Mineral / Fossil Show
Demonstrations, Workshops, Fluorescent tent, Over 40 exhibits Sponsored by The Gem, Lapidary and Mineral Society of Montgomery County, Maryland (GLMS-MC) At Montgomery County Maryland Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, MD Adults $7, 11 and under free Gravity is Optional will participate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 5, 2026 (Sunday) | Easter - the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 10, 2026 (Sunday) | Mother's Day - the second Sunday of May | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 26, 2026 (Monday) | Memorial Day - the last Monday in May | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 21, 2026 (Sunday) | Father's Day - the third Sunday in June | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sept 7, 2026 (Monday) | Labor Day - the first Monday in Sept | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nov 25, 2026 (Thursday) | Thanksgiving - the fourth Thursday of November | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 23, 2022 (Sat) | National Math Festival
online event | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 11, 2023 (Sat 8pm-10pm) | Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Udvar-Hazy Center Star Party
View the wonders of the universe through telescopes Free parking after 4pm These events are held on a regular basis - Northern-Virginia-Astronomy-Club-NOVAC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Sat & Sun) ??? 6th USA Science & Engineering Festival
| Walter E. Washington Convention Center This was a giant success in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 .. which is why they are bringing it back. 18 and under, free - 19 and older, $20 at the door - see web page for discounts May 06, 2023 | (Sat 10-2) Manassas Regional Airport Open House
| Free open house showcasing the airport's facilities, various aircraft, aviation vendors, and classic cars. May 13, 2023 | (Sat 10-5) Manassas Viking Festival
| Aug 26 & 27, 2023 | Sat 10am - 4pm Sun 10am - 4 pm Americans in Wartime Experience - 2023 Tank Farm Open House
(Schedule)
| Lots of tanks, demos, flame thrower (10:30 am only) Warning: Open field in August - wear a hat 09-13-24 update - they will not have an event in 2024, they plan for one in 2025 Oct 20, 2023 | (Fri) 9:30am to 2pm X-STEM NOVA
| A FREE in-person CONFERENCE-STYLE event for middle and high school students designed to empower and inspire kids about careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The National Conference Center, Leesburg, VA Oct 21, 2023 | Sat 9-4 NASA's Langley Research Center openhouse
| The event is open to the public. Admission is free. Oct 28, 2023 | Sat 6pm to 8pm Trunk or Treat Halloween
|
Go trick-or-treating from our decorated vans, trucks, and cars in a safe, fun, and completely outdoor environment.
NOVA Labs
2024
| May 4, 2024 | (Sat 5-11 PM) Astronomy Day 2024
| C. M. Crockett Park May 17-19, 2024 | (Fri, Sat, Sun) AutomataCon
| AutomataCon 2016 Convention (video) This repeats every 2 years Morris Museum, Morristown, NJ, USA October 20, 2024 | Sun 10am – 4pm NOVA Labs Maker Faire
| City of Alexandria High School Alexandria, VA Gravity is Optional will participate. 2025
| Jan 17-18, 2025 | (Fri & Sat) Fri 9-5 Sat 9-5 Cabin Fever Expo
- 28th Event
| Model Engineering Show & Auctions Lebanon Valley Expo Center, Lebanon, PA - map Steam engines, Boats (on an indoor pond), and Trains
Feb 7-8, 2025 | (Fri/Sat 7:00-8:30) Physics is Phun
-
at the University of Maryland
| The Physics of Film Physics is Phun is an outstanding long-running physics demonstration series geared toward a high school audience with a focus on education and entertainment. March 8 - 9, 2025 | March 15 - 16, 2025 Highland County Maple Festival
| Highland County, Virginia March 8 - 9, 2025 | March 15 - 16, 2025 10AM to 2PM Maple Syrup Festival at Cunningham Falls State Park
| This event has been a staple in Frederick County for more than 50 years. Frederick County, Maryland March 14, 2025 | Fri 1:09 AM - 3:09 AM Total Lunar Eclipse
| March 15-16, 2025 | Sat 10-6 Sun 11-5 Annual Gem / Mineral / Fossil Show
| Demonstrations, Workshops, Fluorescent tent, Over 40 exhibits Sponsored by The Gem, Lapidary and Mineral Society of Montgomery County, Maryland (GLMS-MC) At Montgomery County Maryland Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, MD Adults $7, 11 and under free Gravity is Optional will participate. March 30, 2025 | (Sun 10am-3pm) PWCAS 2025 Bluebell Festival
| Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area March 30, 2025 | (Sun 11am-4pm) Lynchburg Makerfaire
| Gravity is Optional will participate. April 5&6, 2025 | (Sat Sun) Pennsylvania Maple Festival
| Meyersdale, PA April 5, 2025 | (Sat 10-3) 2025 Asheville Maker Faire
| April 9-13, 2025
| Pennsylvania Maple Festival
| Meyersdale, PA April 20, 2025 | (Sunday) Easter
| April 26, 2025 | (Sat 10-4) Maryland Day:
A Campus-Wide Open House at the University of Maryland
| This is a great opportunity to learn about UMD and to see what is available. There will be all types of science and engineering related demos and displays. April 27, 2025 | (Sun - Noon to 5 pm) 34rd Rockville Science Day - Get kids interested in science and technology
| Chemistry fun - loud noises, fire, vacuums See a Solar Car, an electric car, sunspots (weather permitting) Rockets, Robots, Minerals, hands-on exhibits, and lots more Free - Noon to 5 pm Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, Rockville, MD Gravity is Optional will participate. May 3, 2025 | (Sat - 6pm to 11 pm) Astronomy Day 2025
| C. M. Crockett Park May 3, 2025 | (Sat - 10 am to 5 pm) 2025 Kinetic Sculpture Race
| Peddle powered "art" - over roads and water, thru mud and soft sand, this event is completely nuts! Race starts at 10am at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore and continues for 15 miles thru the city. However, the fun starts much earlier.
NOVA LabsMobile - 2019
- featured five pilots, brightly colored pontoon barrels and pinwheels, and giant wings laser-cut from quarter-inch insulating foam.
May 9-11, 2025 | (Friday - Sunday) Free Show
Congress Of Jugglers 2025
(Sponsored by UMD Juggling Club)
| Come and defy gravity. Ride a unicycle. Let people throw stuff at you. Free lessons. You should come and check it out. The Saturday afternoon show is really worth more than the price of admission. Videos - index 2007 2010 2011 2013 - mostly fire 2017 Ritchie Coliseum at the University of Maryland. May 11, 2025 | (Sunday) Mother's Day
| May 17, 2025 | (Sat 8:30-5) America Rocketry Challenge (ARC) National Finals Fly-off
|
Has an Exhibit/University Display Area
May 17, 2025 | (Sat 10-4) Techstravaganza 2025
|
Free, open to the public hands-on STEM activity fair
May 26, 2025 | (Monday) Memorial Day - the last Monday in May
| June 7, 2025 | (Sat 10-3) 31st Annual Manassas Railway Festival
| June 7, 2025 | (Sat 7-1) Manassas Tailgate / hamfest
| $8 per person over 14 June 15, 2025 | (Sunday) Father's Day - the third Sunday in June
| June 21, 2025 | (Sat 10-2) 5th Annual Manassas Bee Festival
| costume parade, food trucks, mead garden, live music, vendors, crafts, native plants, speakers, farm animals, bounce house, games, crafts, and more. July 2-7, 2025
| Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall
| Looking Forward - Youth and the Future of Culture (Only one week this year) July 14-20, 2025 | (Mon-Sun) IJA festival
|
~$350 for the full week-long festival
July 17-20, 2024 | (Thu, Sun) Private event
| Aug 30-31, 2025 | Sat & Sun 9am - 6pm Scottish Games
| Great Meadow, The Plains, VA $25/day Sept 1, 2025 | (Monday) Labor Day - the first Monday in Sept
| Sept 13, 2025 | Sat 10:30am - 3pm Dulles Day Plane Pull® 2025
| Lots of stuff to see Sept 20, 2025 | Sat 6pm-11pm Astronomy Festival on the National Mall
| Join more than 40 astronomy/science organizations on the National Mall to share astronomy concepts during the day and share views of the D.C. sky at night. In front of the Air and Space Museum Sept 26-27, 2025 | (Fri/Sat 7:00-8:30) Physics is Phun
-
at the University of Maryland
| The Physics of Sound Physics is Phun is an outstanding long-running physics demonstration series geared toward a high school audience with a focus on education and entertainment. Oct 12, 2025 | Sun noon - 5 pm MAW Mushroom Fair at Brookside Gardens
(Calendar)
|
Mushroom-related walks, talks, and videos
Oct 18, 2025 | Sat 10am - 5pm RVA MakerFest 2025
| Deep Run High School 4801 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059 (near Richmond) | ||