North Carolina Science Festival 2025 is a statewide collection of events during the month of April, intended to ignite an interest in science in both kids and adults. Events take place at a number of venues in the Triangle, including museums, parks and libraries.
We will be listing some of the special events in the Triangle below, but make sure to visit the North Carolina Science Festival website for a complete list.
North Carolina Science Festival
We’ve listed some of the events that have been announced, and you can see all of them online.
Follow each link for more information and to register, if required.
Spring Break Camp at Stemarga
March 31 to April 4, 2025
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Stemarga
324 Sembler Lane, Cary, NC
Free (registration required)
Grades 3-8
This FREE half-day program offers your child an exciting introduction to STEM through Stemarga’s Programming, sparking curiosity and creativity in a dynamic learning environment.
Carolina Science Cafe
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
6 to 7 p.m.
Haw River Tap & Table
300 E Main Street, Carrboro, NC
Free (no registration required)
Adults
Join us for a special installment of the Carolina Science Cafe, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s free, current science awareness program. For the April Cafe, we will be joined by Dr. Tara Harrison, a faculty advisor for the Carnivore Conservation Crew, an organization that manages and cares for critically endangered red wolves as part of USFW and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFE program for Red Wolves.
Designed for adults, this program explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the headlines. The Carolina Science Cafe is hosted at Haw River Tab & Table in Carrboro on Tuesday, April 1st, starting at 6:00 p.m. with light appetizers available for all attendees. Parking is available in the parking deck behind the building if the lot out front if full.
Scott Northern Wake Tech Campus STEM Day Event
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Wake Tech, Scott Northern Wake Campus, Building E
6600 Louisburg Road, Raleigh, NC
Free
All ages
Wake Tech will celebrate science, technology, engineering and math at the spring STEM Day on the Scott Northern Wake Tech Campus on April 2, 2025. Join us for fun and exciting exhibits and hands-on activities illustrating STEM disciplines. Dig for fossils, create a lava lamp, and make your own Petri dish soap. Learn more about STEM-related clubs, meet peers with similar interests and explore STEM careers!
Science in the Spillway
Wednesdays from April 2 to 16, 2025, 1 to 6 p.m.
Saturdays from April 5 to 19, 2025, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fred G. Bond Metro Park
801 High House Road, Cary, NC
Free
All ages
Celebrate NCScifest all throughout April by attending Science in the Spillway at Bond Park! Join us each on Wednesdays and Saturdays for a new theme as we explore the everyday science in the nature around us through a variety of STEAM based activities!
- Week 1: Look and Listen
- Week 2: Natural Patterns
- Week 3: What Comes from the Earth
Park at the Bond Park Boathouse or the Bond Park Community Center and follow signage to the Spillway!
Discovery Day: Conservation Crew at White Deer Park
Thursday, April 3, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.
White Deer Park
2400 Aversboro Road, Garner, NC
Free
Kids and families
Join us at White Deer Park for a Discovery Day all about conservation! This signature program features hands-on learning through experiments, crafts, and other activities set up at stations inside the Nature Center Classroom and on the Learning Deck.
Drop in at any point during the morning (10am-12pm) or afternoon (3-5pm) sessions and go at your own pace through the conservation and nature-themed activities.
Statewide Star Party: Chapel Hill Public Library
Friday, April 4, 2025
4 to 6 p.m.
Chapel Hill Public Library
100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill, NC
Free
All ages
You’re invited to an out of this world experience designed to help you find Your Place in Space!
Join us at Chapel Hill Public Library for the 13th Annual Statewide Star Party on Friday, April 4, from 4-6 pm.
We’ll learn all about telescopes with our friends from Chapel Hill Astronomical Observational Society. CHAOS volunteers will also be on hand with telescopes to help you view the Sun and Moon in the afternoon sky. Inside we’ll have even more exciting activities, crafts, and games to help you find Your Place in Space including an exciting presentation from a NASA Solar System Ambassador.
This event is free and open to the public. No registration required.
Statewide Star Party: Three Bears Nature Preserve
Friday, April 4, 2025
6 to 10 p.m.
Three Bears Private Preserve
711 Beaver Dam Road, Creedmoor, NC
Free (registration required)
All ages
Travel on a hike through the solar system to get to the stargazing site. When you are done dodging asteroids and learning about the planets, take a pit stop at each of the activity tables.
During the activities you will explore the wonders of our solar system, learn star stories, and uncover how astronomy inspires and benefits everyone, every day.
When dark begins to fall, play some nighttime games and look through real telescopes provided by the Raleigh Astronomy Club!
Statewide Star Party at American Tobacco Trail
Friday, April 4, 2025
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
White Oak Parking area on the American Tobacco Trail
1305 White Oak Church Road, Apex, NC
Free
All ages
Join us for the NC Science Festival’s Statewide Star Party, themed “Your Place in Space”! Take part in fun, hands-on activities, including solar system walks (two times will be available), games, crafts and face painting. As the sun goes down, enjoy constellation storytelling around the campfire and observe the night sky through telescopes as our experts take you on a celestial tour, including the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter!
This free Star Party event is hosted by Wake County’s American Tobacco Trail staff partnering with the Agape Center for Environmental Education, the Raleigh Astronomy Club, Girl Scout Troop 2584, and Girl Scout Area Wake 23.
All ages and skill levels are welcome. Bring your curiosity, water bottle, chair and/or blanket, and a picnic dinner to enjoy beforehand if you wish. This event will take place on the back field of the White Oak parking area under the stars. Registration is not required.
Statewide Star Party and Egg Drop at Imagination Station
Friday, April 4, 2025
6:30 to 9 p.m.
Imagination Station Science and History Museum
224 Nash St. SE, Wilson, NC
Free
Kids and families
Join us for an out-of-this-world experience at the North Carolina Statewide Star Party and the 17th Annual Egg Drop at the Imagination Station Science and History Museum! On Friday, April 4th, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, we’ll take you on a thrilling journey through space with hands-on activity stations, live star viewing, and a special egg drop challenge! This year’s theme, “Our Place in Space,” explores humanity’s relationship with the cosmos while connecting it to the exciting world of space exploration and safe re-entry procedures. Don’t miss this incredible family-friendly event, featuring community partners like the Civil Air Patrol- Tar River Composite Squadron, Wilson Youth Council, and NASA JPL Solar System Ambassadors!
Statewide Star Party at Eno River State Park
Friday, April 4, 2025
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Eno River State Park — Fews Ford Access
6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham, NC
Free
All ages
Join us for a Statewide Star Party! The staff at Eno River State Park invites you to moon walk through the solar system and to find your place in the stars. Enjoy crafts that bring the night sky down to Earth and stargaze to see wondrous constellations, far far away galaxies, and other celestial bodies. Star Party activities will take place at the loop parking lot at the end of the road of the Fews Ford Access of Eno River State Park.
Our Star Party will happen rain or shine; however, many activities are weather dependent.
Statewide Star Party at Old North Durham Park
Friday, April 4, 2025
7 to 10 p.m.
Old North Durham Park
310 W Geer Street, Durham, NC
Free
All ages
Celebrate this year’s NC Statewide Star party with Durham Parks and Recreation! Our knowledgeable staff will provide high powered binoculars and telescopes for high quality viewing, a solar system walk, and plenty of space-themed crafts and activities. Learn more about all things space: meteors showers, planets, stars, and the moon! Dress for the weather.
UNC Science Expo
Saturday, April 5, 2025
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
250 E Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC
Free
All ages
Every year, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center hosts a day of science learning and fun for our community in partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill faculty, students, and staff.
The UNC Science Expo is a signature event of the annual North Carolina Science Festival and one of the biggest celebrations of science in the state. More than 100 booths staffed by UNC-Chapel Hill students, researchers, practitioners, and community volunteers fill the quads surrounding Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. From hands-on activities and games to science demonstrations and behind-the-scenes lab tours, the UNC Science Expo makes learning about science fun and engaging for people of all ages.
NC State Earth Fair
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Stafford Commons, NC State University
Behind Talley Student Union, 2610 Cates Avenue, Raleigh, NC
Free
All ages
Celebrate NC State Earth Month with the Wolfpack. This is a sustainability-focused fair featuring exhibits, demonstrations and ideas on how you can make the world a better place. Bring a friend and come experience the breadth of sustainability, including learning about food, water, transportation, nature, wellness and so much more.
This outdoor event is open to the public and sponsored by NC State’s University Sustainability Office.
Moon Rise and Sunset Paddle
Thursday, April 10, 2025
5:45 to 7:15 p.m.
Beaverdam Lake State Recreation Area
14600 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC
Free (registration required, space is limited)
Ages 6+
Join a guided paddle in our Big Canoes to see the nearly full moon rise and the sun set on Falls Lake. We’ll celebrate the science of our water planet and its unique place in the solar system.
The Big Canoes hold 14-passengers including a trained guide, and everyone needs to contribute a little bit of arm muscle while aboard. Life jackets provided. This program is best for ages 6 & up. Younger paddlers who are comfortable sitting still in a boat may be accommodated, but please contact the organizers to discuss.
Pre-registration is required here.
State of the Sciences at Hunt Library
Friday, April 11, 2025
5:30 to 9 p.m.
James B. Hunt Jr. Centennial Campus Library
1070 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC
Free
All ages
State of the Sciences features interactive activities for sciences lovers of all ages with a focus on the interdisciplinary ways that science plays an important (and fun) role in our everyday lives. This family-friendly event will once again be held at the iconic Hunt Library on NC State’s Centennial Campus.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Kids’ Events in the Triangle
Please check out our big list of free and cheap kids’ events in the Triangle or look at a quick list here:
