Beakerhead is back, and some awesome events have come with it.

A curious blend of technology and creativity leads to works of art only seen at the yearly Beakerhead Festival, which offers dozens of interactive instalments and exhibits throughout the city.

Make the most of the strange, artistic, technological, and science-driven week by visiting as many of these events as possible.

See also

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Beakereats Preview: Chef’s Collaborative Dinner

What: Six esteemed local chefs gather to explore the use of canola in interesting new dishes.

When: Wednesday, September 12

Time: 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Cost: $79.99

Lilly in the Lab

What: Join the Bum Family as they show you through short films how they created a 10-foot tall orange monster named Lilly.

When: Tuesday, September 18

Time: 7 pm to 8 pm

Where: Phil & Sebastian — 2043 33^rd Avenue SW

Admission: Free

Dung Beetle

What: Check out this massive insect made entirely from recycled materials.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Time: All day

Where: SAIT corner of 16th Avenue NW and 10^th Street NW

Admission: Free

Treeter Totter

What: Explore the balance between humans and nature with this take on a childhood playground favourite.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Time: All day

Where: C-Square 4^th Street and 7^th Avenue SE

Admission: Free

LEDance

What: Hit the dance floor at this impromptu swing dance party as figures groove along with your moves.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Time: All day

Where: Kensington Crescent NW

Admission:  Free

Beakereats

What: Calgary’s chefs will be trying out some scientific experiments to concoct some delicious new dishes during Beakerhead, check them out at multiple restaurants around town.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Time: All day

Where: 

• Shokunin — 2016 4th Street SW
• Deane House — 806 9th Avenue SE
• Burger 320 — 814 1st Avenue NE, 126 10th Street NW, 1314 9th Avenue SE
• Home and Away — 1331 17th Avenue SW
• Oxbow — 1126 Memorial Drive NW
• Yellow Door Bistro — 119 12th Avenue SW
• Brasserie Kensington — 1131 Kensington Road NW
• River Cafe — 25 Prince’s Island
• Avec — 105, 550 11th Avenue SW

Cost: Prices vary

Skybridge Syncopation

What: You’ll be able to see sound on Calgary’s +15 walkways thanks to “rippling luminous composition.”

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Time: All day

Where: 500 Centre Street S

Admission: Free

Dreams Never Die

What: Calgary’s own version of the UP house might not be floating but it will host a serious amount of colourful balloons.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Time: All day

Where: 1405 4th Street SW

Admission: Free

Hidden Territories

What: It might look like a normal recycling bin, but if you take a look inside you’ll be sure to find a wonderful surprise.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Time: All day

Where: 120 9th Avenue SE

Admission: Free

Garden Party

What: Get green by checking out all the living things at this beautiful garden, and join in on some yoga on Saturday from 11 am to 12:15 pm.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Time: 

• Wednesday to Friday: 3 to 9 pm
• Saturday: 10 am to 11 pm
• Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
• Saturday: Yoga in the Garden 11 am to 12:15 pm. Bring your mat!
• Sunday: Bicycle Repair in the Garden noon to 4 pm (Drop-in)

Where: Fort Calgary — 750 9th Avenue SE

Admission: Free

Lunch Without Light

What: Attend a special lunch at Dark Table where the seating is set up in a particular layout just for Beakerhead.

When: Wednesday, September 19

Time: Noon to 1 pm

Where: Dark Table — 731 6th Avenue SW

Admission: $60

Pulse and Bloom

What: A 22-foot lotus will pulse along with your heartbeat once you place your hand on a specific sensor. Up to 20 people can participate at once.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Time: 

• Wednesday to Friday: 3 to 9 pm
• Saturday: 10 am to 11 pm
• Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm

Where: Fort Calgary — 750 9th Avenue SE

Admission: Free

Sextant Tesla Coil

What: An 18-foot spark will jump between two 32-foot tall towers — and you can be the one to ignite the action.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Time: 

• Wednesday to Friday: 3 to 9 pm
• Saturday: 10 am to 11 pm
• Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm

Where: Fort Calgary — 750 9th Avenue SE

Admission: Free

Four to Six on Fourth

What: Check out the human-sized hamster wheel, walk on water (well, cornstarch), and see artists and performers along 4th Street.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Friday, September 21

Time: 4 to 6 pm

Where: 4th Street between 23rd Avenue and 26th Avenue SW

Admission: Free

A Matter of Mettle

What: Join physicist Jocelyn Bell as she discusses “one of the most significant scientific achievements of the 20th century.”

When: Wednesday, September 19

Time: 5 to 6:30 pm

Where: University of Calgary EEEL Building — 3115 32nd Avenue NW

Admission: Free, but registration required

Cryptocurrency Clinic

What: Learn the ins and outs of cryptocurrency at this interactive workshop.

When: Wednesday, September 19

Time: 6 to 7:30 pm

Where: BitNational Inc. — 1145 Kensington Crescent NW

Admission: $18

Opening Doors with Technology

What: Find out how local women are using technology to create accessibility and inclusivity in Calgary communities.

When: Wednesday, September 19

Time: 6 to 8 pm

Where: The Inc. — 3553 31st Street NW

Admission: $30 general admission, $20 for students

Build Your Own Organic Facial Oil

What: Make an oil that matches your specific skin type at this hands-on workshop.

When: Wednesday, September 19

Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Where: Neal’s Yard Remedies on Fourth — 2207 4th Street SW

Admission: $68

Animation Atelier

What: Create animation with nothing more than paper and pen.

When: Wednesday, September 19

Time: 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Where: Quickdraw Animation Society — 2011 10th Avenue SW

Admission:  $18

Within Measure

What: This exhibit uses synchrotron technology to create interactive artwork.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Saturday, September 22

Time: 8 to 11 pm

Where: Phil & Sebastian — 2043 33rd Avenue SW

Admission: Free

The Intuition Project

What: Observe, analyze, and participate in activities that will delve into whether or not paranormal forces actually exist.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Time: 8 pm to 10 pm, Late night midnight to 2 am on Saturday

Where: West Village Theatre — 2007 10th Avenue SW

Admission: $32, student discounts available

What’s So Special About a Weasel’s Head

What: Head over to Weaselhead Park for a day of VR installations that show the importance of the area.

When: Thursday, September 20

Time: 10 am to 6:30 pm

Where: Immersive Studio, Mount Royal University — 74 Mount Royal Circle SW

Admission: Free

Startup Open House (SOH) Calgary

What: Check out the offices of companies all over Calgary to see just how startups get their start!

When: Thursday, September 20

Time: 4 to 8 pm

Where: Various locations around the city

Admission: Free, though registration is required

The Laboratory of Spatial Bemusement

What: Art and kinetic engineering mix for this special exhibition that is being put on for one day only.

When: Thursday, September 20

Time: 5 to 8 pm

Where: Herringer Kiss Gallery — 709A 11th Avenue SW

Admission: RSVP required

How to Make Vegan Canola Carrot Cake

What: Following this year’s Beakereats theme of canola oil, this workshop shows how to make a delicious (and completely vegan) dessert.

When: Thursday, September 20

Time: 6 to 8 pm

Where: The Cookbook Co. — 722 11th Avenue SW

Admission: $32.50

Here’s to Your Roast

What: Take a look at what makes different coffees taste so unique and the connection between the roasting process and how it affects your health.

When: Thursday, September 20

Time: 6 to 9 pm

Where: Rosso Coffee Roasters — 803 24th Avenue SE

Admission: $25

Have You Ever Wondered

What: This presentation will answer questions you never even knew you had! You’ll also be able to check out a pop-up science carnival before the presentation, complete with hands-on experiments.

When: Thursday, September 20

Time: 7 to 8 pm

Where: Ross Glen Hall, Mount Royal University – 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW

Admission: Registration required

Science of Sweat

What: Take part in a specific exercise and have your data stored and analyzed by both a doctor and yourself to see just how fit you actually are.

When: Thursday, September 20

Time: 7 to 8 pm

Where: VIVO for Healthier Generations — 11950 Country Village Link NE

Admission: $15

Seven Wonderers

What: Storytelling meets science at this Beakerhead original, which will include a twist for this year’s performances.

When: Thursday, September 20

Time: 7:30 to 9 pm

Where: Studio Bell — 850 4th Street SE

Admission: $45

Writing About Awe

What: Find out how to master the power of Awesome in your own writing in this interactive session with author Jessa Gamble.

When: Friday, September 21

Time: 1 to 3 pm

Where: Treehouse cSPACE King Edward — 1721 29th Avenue SW

Admission: $55

Zorbathon

What: Get inside one of those human bouncy balls at Currie Park.

When: Friday, September 21 to Sunday, September 23

Time: 3 to 6 pm

Where: Currie Park, Trasimene Crescent SW

Admission: Free

Beakerbar

What: The perfect place to taste some experimental brews during Beakerhead.

When: Friday, September 21 to Sunday, September 23

Time: 3 to 11 pm on Friday, noon to 11 pm on Saturday, noon to 6 pm on Sunday

Where: Fort Calgary – 750 9th Avenue SE

Admission: Free admission, beverages by token

A Taste of That Thing in the Desert

What: Get a taste of Burning Man all the way north in Alberta at this interactive gathering.

When: Friday, September 21

Time: 6 to 11 pm

Where: Park Plus Lot 6 — 311 8th Street SW

Admission: Free

Chocolatsaurus

What: It may seem like a strange combination, but chocolate and dinosaurs will collide at this Beakerhead workshop.

When: Friday, September 21

Time: 6 to 9 pm

Where: Pranic Forest — 1, 1145 Kensington Crescent NW

Admission: $75

Intuitive Geometry

What: Combine movement and math (of all things) for this fun and interactive workshop.

When: Friday, September 21

Time: 6:30 to 8 pm

Where: Decidedly Jazz Danceworks — 111 12th Avenue SE

Admission: $15

The Locked Library

What: Hundreds of people all locked into a library together, the first group to escape wins the grand prize.

When: Friday, September 21

Time: 7 to 10 pm

Where: Central Public Library – 616 Macleod Trail SE

Admission: $42

Car Rides to Cosmos

What: Take a trip out to the stars at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory with some seriously high-powered telescopes.

When: Friday, September 21

Time: 7:30 to 10:30 pm

Where: Rothney Astrophysical Observatory — 210 Avenue W

Admission: $30 per car

Spectral Illuminations III

What: Memorial Park Library will be lit up with projection art for one night only, and you can check it out for free.

When: Friday, September 21

Time: 9 to 11 pm

Where: Memorial Park Library — 1221 2nd Street SW

Admission: Free

Local Music Lab

What: Join local indie bands as they form a supergroup and put on a memorable performance.

When: Friday, September 21

Time: 9 to 11 pm

Where: Fort Calgary — 750 9th Avenue SE

Admission: $10

Crime TV Hasn’t Taught You Anything

What: All those hours of watching Law and Order were apparently something of a waste if you thought you were learning anything. Experts from the Calgary Police Service explain how they actually solve crimes around the city.

When: Saturday, September 22

Time: 11 am to 3 pm

Where: YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre — 5111 47^th Street NE

Admission: $35

Soapstone and Science

What: Check out how soapstone is used to make both decorations and utensils dating back thousands of years.

When: Saturday, September 22

Time: 1 to 3 pm

Where: Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary — 427 51^st Avenue SE

Admission: $52

Ramzilla: The Ramsey Monsters Convention

What: This is the biggest monster get-together in East Calgary, so get dressed up and head over for one serious convention.

When: Saturday, September 22

Time: 1 to 3 pm

Where: Ramsey Rink — 2040 Ramsey Street SE

Admission: Free

Move Over, Jurassic Park 

What: Create your own Jurassic Park prop at this hands-on workshop, and you’ll even get to take home your creation.

When: Saturday, September 22

Time: 1 to 4:30 pm

Where: University of Calgary EEEL Building — 3115 32^nd Avenue NW

Admission: $75

Beakernight

What: Beakerhead’s big send-off party, featuring a night of installations, fire, lasers, and more.

When: Saturday, September 22

Time: 6 to 11 pm

Where: Fort Calgary — 750 9^th Avenue SE

Admission: By donation

Hack the Flyer

What: Turn a red wagon into a speed racer with whatever you have at your disposal in this Beakerhead competition.

When: Saturday, September 22

Time: 6 to 7:0 pm

Where: East Village Riverwalk Plaza – 618 Confluence Way SE

Admission: Free

A Time To Shine

What: Create the perfect Beakernightoutift using LEDs.

When: Saturday, September 22

Time: 6 to 11 pm

Where: Fort Calgary — 750 9^th Avenue SE

Admission: Free

Beakernight Afterparty

What: Keep the party going after Beakernight at the Palace Theatre for dancing and drinks.

When: Saturday, September 22

Time: 9 pm to 2 am

Where: Palace Theatre – 219 8th Avenue SW

Admission: Free if RSP before 11 pm, $20 after 11 pm

Make Fashion — Luminary Experience

What: Head over to this MakeFashion show for performances and music to accompany models walking the runway.

When: Saturday, September 22

Time: 7 to 11 pm

Where: Fort Calgary — 750 9^th Avenue SE

Admission: $120

Wander and Wonder

What: Stroll through the nature at Weaselhead/Glenmore Park while adding to the iNaturalist database.

When:  Sunday, September 23

Time: 10:30 am to noon

Where: Meet in the parking lot — 6634 37^th Avenue SW

Admission: Registration required

AI at the Movies

What: Beakerhead and Calgary film unite to screen Alpha Go! a story of an AI Go player.

When: Sunday, September 23

Time: 11 am to 2 pm

Where: Eau Claire Cineplex 2^nd floor — 200 Barclay Parade SW

Admission: By donation

Bicycle Repair at the Garden

What: Bring your broken bikes over to Fort Calgary for a free fix up — and you might even learn a thing or two.

When: Sunday, September 23

Time: Noon to 4 pm

Where: Fort Calgary — 750 9^th Avenue SE

Admission: Free

Astronomical Afternoon Adventure

What: Travel around the solar system with interesting experiences at every planet.

When: Sunday, September 23

Time: Noon to 4 pm

Where: Start at the Sextant Tesla Coils at Fort Calgary — 750 9^th Avenue SE

Admission: Free

Small Things, Big Paintings

What: Learn to paint starting small and leave with a brand new skill.

When: Sunday, September 23

Time: 1 to 4 pm

Where: McHugh House — 1515 Centre Street S

Admission: $65

Build Your Own Cell Phone Charger

What: In case your phone runs out of juice and you forgot your charger at home, you’ll find out how to put one together on your own!

When: Sunday, September 23

Time: 1 to 4 pm

Where: Light Up The World — 1121 14^th Avenue SW

Admission: $75

Ecru Extraction

What: Find out exactly how Phil & Sebastian get the flavour that they’ve become so famous for.

When: Sunday, September 23

Time: 1 to 3 pm

Where: Phil & Sebastian — 618 Confluence Way SE

Admission: $45