Expo Day | San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering Week 2026
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March 7, 2026 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free Admission Rain or Shine Parking $10 100+ Exhibits
Expo Day is back at Petco Park. Free admission. No tickets. No registration. Just show up.
Over 100 hands-on exhibits fill the ballpark, drawing more than 20,000 visitors and making this the largest event of its kind in Southern California. Programming spans the full STEAM spectrum — science, technology, engineering, arts, and math — with exhibits designed for everyone from pre-K to grandparents.
A little history: Expo Day launched in 2009 at Balboa Park before finding a long-term home at Petco Park from 2010 through 2023 — thirteen consecutive years. The 2026 edition marks its return.
What's there:
The Illumina Stage in Gallagher Square anchors the main performances, with acts including "The Music Notes" (math-themed rap), a fusion energy show from General Atomics, and the Fleet Science Center’s “Don’t Try This at Home” demonstration. Beyond the stage, the venue is organized into specialty zones:
Art pavilion:
The “A” in STEAM gets its own space. Includes a baby cap knitting station from "The Madhatters" benefiting local children’s hospitals.
Robotics round-up:
Hands-on robot demonstrations and interactive play for all ages.
Cybersecurity zone:
Intro-level explorations of digital safety and tech careers.
Construction corner:
Hands-on building and engineering projects.
College & Career connections:
Aimed at middle and high schoolers. Panels at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. featuring industry pros and SDSU reps.
Pre-K zone:
Sensory-focused, age-appropriate activities scaled for the youngest visitors.
Slime-making, virtual reality, and rocket launches fill out the general floor. The high-traffic stations — slime and VR especially — will draw lines fast once the crowds arrive mid-morning.