The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City is turning its galleries into a hands-on science and technology fair this weekend, and admission is free. STEM•X Festival 2026 runs Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard. Families claim free tickets in advance so organizers can plan for the crowd.

Eight zones, all running at once

The festival is laid out in eight hands-on categories that run side by side all weekend, so families can move between them in whatever order they like:

  • Robotics: program a robot, test it and troubleshoot it when it does something unexpected.
  • Coding: build a small game, animation or working program from a blank screen.
  • 3D printing: design an object on screen and watch a printer build it layer by layer.
  • Drones: pilot a flight path and adjust for wind and weight.
  • Virtual reality: step inside a simulation of a place no field trip could reach.
  • Engineering: design, build, test and rebuild when the first version fails.
  • Science: run a hands-on experiment and explain the result.
  • Creative technology: sound, light, art and code working together.

Families can pick up an Experience Passport at check-in to keep track of which zones they have visited.

Who it is for

Every zone is open to all ages, with no prior experience required. Organizers note that a few of the more advanced robotics and coding stations suit children 8 and older. Children need to be with a parent or guardian throughout the festival, and parents are welcome to take part alongside them. The museum is wheelchair accessible, and organizers say a quieter, lower-sensory space is being planned for families who need a break from the noise.

Friday, Oct. 30, was a School Day reserved for approved school and community groups. The weekend is the public portion.

Last year's numbers

The 2025 festival welcomed more than 5,000 families and learners, according to the organizers, who report an average attendee rating of 4.72 out of 5 and say 94.4 percent of attendees said they would come again. Most families spend two to three hours, enough to get through most of the zones. Late morning is usually the busiest window; arriving right at 10 a.m. or after 1 p.m. tends to be quieter.

A weekend that lands on Halloween

Saturday is Halloween, which makes the festival an easy morning before an evening of trick-or-treating. The festival hours end at 3 p.m. both days.

More coming up at the Cradle

The museum's calendar continues through the fall: a Vets Town Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 7 to 9 p.m.; a screening and evening with astronaut John Herrington on Monday, Nov. 23; a Festival of Games on Dec. 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and a pajama party with a holiday movie on Friday, Dec. 18. Regular museum admission is $18 for adults and $16 for children ages 2 to 12 and seniors, with planetarium combinations available.

How to go

STEM•X Festival 2026, Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City. Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free; claim tickets in advance through the STEM•X festival site, since the museum does not sell them.

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