Dresden Science Night at TU Dresden

© Landeshauptstadt Dresden

TUD Dresden University of Technology has got a lot in store again for this year’s Dresden Science Night. 

On June 26, 2026, from 5:00 pm to midnight, TUD will once again become a vibrant meeting place for everyone who wants to feast their eyes on some science up close. On this evening, we will be opening the doors to our lecture halls and labs. Visitors can look forward to over 250 presentations, experiments, guided tours, and much more at interactive stations. Night owls can expect a program highlight on TUD's main campus, on the lawn behind the Auditorium Center: a fully packed stage program, with presentations by the Clusters of Excellence as part of the Excellence showcase, and, as the grand finale, the TUD Science Slam.

Participation in all events is free of charge.

Excellence showcase & stage program

© Sven Ellger/TUD

TUD is one of only ten Universities of Excellence in Germany and, with five Clusters of Excellence, is the top technical university. We conduct research on the big issues that matter to people. Come and enjoy science that inspires and researchers who bring complex topics to life!

Where? On the lawn behind the Auditorium Center (HSZ).

ctd.qmat - Complexity, Topology and Dynamics in Quantum Matter

The ctd.qmat team is searching for new topological materials. The aim is to harness their particular properties – for example, in super-fast quantum chips that consume virtually no energy at all.

CeTI – Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop

Whether it be surgical assistance using robotics or learning using digital twins – CeTI researches how artificial intelligence can assist us in our daily lives.

CARE - Climate-Neutral and Resource-Efficient Construction

CARE researches how the construction of the future can become more climate-friendly, resource-efficient, and intelligent.

REC² - Responsible Electronics in the Climate-Change Era

REC² is shaping the electronics of the future – ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable. The Cluster develops innovative approaches for the entire life cycle of electronic components, from design, all the way through to manufacturing, use, and disposal.

TU Dresden University of Excellence

What does excellence mean to you? Use LEGO bricks to build your ideas, start a conversation with us, and think together about what makes an excellent university. We’ll be there with a camera to capture the results – and as a thank-you, there’ll be a little surprise.

Further program highlights

© Julian Hagert

Small molecules, powerful machines

At the Institute of Natural Materials Technology, you’ll discover what natural fibers, combine harvesters, yeast, baked goods, and sustainable packaging have in common. At our stations, you can follow the journey of natural raw materials from the field to your breakfast table. There are plenty of hands-on stations and tractor rides for all ages. When? 5:00 PM–11:00 PM, Bergstr. 120. Learn more

© Stefan Gröschel

Building bridges and printing houses

The Faculty of Civil Engineering is opening its labs and inviting you to participate in a variety of experiments and hands-on activities, including bridge building, crafting with quick-setting concrete, and a quiz rally. When? From 5:00 p.m. to 11:50 p.m., Von Mises Building (inner courtyard), Georg-Schumann-Str. 7. Learn more

© Magdalena Gonciarz

Optical microscopy at the CMCB

What happens when you magnify everyday objects to an extreme degree? Amazing details become visible! At the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), you’ll discover astonishing details of everyday objects under the microscope. Bring your own samples (stones, flowers) or prepare fresh specimens on site, e.g., from your own cells. When? 5:00–10:30 p.m., Fetscherstr. 105. Learn more

© Sebastian Weingart

Virtual Adventures on the Holodeck

For the first time at Dresden Science Night, the Deutsche Telekom Chair of Communication Networks is offering guided tours of the brand-new, fully LED-based holodeck in the Barkhausen Building. Due to limited space, registration is required for the tours. You can register on-site. When? 5:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m., Georg-Schuhmann-Str. 11 (Barkhausen Building).

© Anja Stübner

Solving the challenges of medical technology

At the Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health (EKFZ) on the Medical Campus, you’ll take on the role of detectives in an interactive exhibition, searching for the right clues. Through play, you’ll learn how AI supports healthcare and how science works. When? 5:00 PM–11:00 PM, Fetscherstr. 74 (Building 27). Learn more

© Leonie Gleiser

How are houses printed?

This requires digital planning, automated manufacturing, and cutting-edge materials development. You can see live how the KUKA robot uses 3D printing to create components from clay. Structures can also be produced using 3D printing with concrete. This is how engineers are shaping the sustainable construction of the future. When? 5:00–9:00 p.m., Georg-Schumann-Str. 7A (Alfred-Hütter-Labor).

© Tobias Ritz

Stormy experiments in the wind tunnel

The wind tunnel in Johannstadt has been in operation for over 60 years. Researchers at TUD use it to study aerodynamic issues ranging from building and environmental flows to competitive sports and road, rail, water, and air vehicles. The highlight is a flight simulator in the cockpit of a real Cessna 172. When? 5:30–10:30 p.m., Marschnerstr. 28. Learn more

© Lisa Dreßler

Experience playful, smart mobility

How do autonomous vehicles behave in traffic? Using small robotic vehicles (“Duckie-Bots”), visitors can experience how cooperative vehicle behavior improves traffic flow. This interactive station is a playful representation of modern mobility concepts. When? 5:00–10:00 p.m. at the Gerhart-Potthoff-Bau, Hettnerstraße 1. Learn more

© Saskia Trute

Experience plastic recycling up close

The Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) invites you to a discovery tour at the Johannstadt campus. Visitors can make airplane models, produce small products such as spinning tops, key rings or bottle openers from recycled plastic and experience live demonstrations of machines and robotic systems. When? From 17:00 - 24:00 at KAZ (Dürerstr. 28).

© Ricardo Herrmann

Arc faults in the NARC

At the National Arc Fault Research Center (NARC), an international team is researching how to make the future of energy supply safer. The focus is on dangerous "arc faults" - the "worst case" in electrical power plants. When? From 17:00 - 23:00, impressive experiments and live demonstrations will take place at the NARC (Nöthnitzer Str. 67). Learn more

© Andreas Scheunert / Lichtwerke Design Fotografie

Program robots

How do robots actually work? It's not magic that brings them to life, but a bit of clever programming. At COSMO, you can try your hand at some programming too: You decide what the robot arm does, and you'll have a chance to play around with its movements. This transforms your coding into action. When? from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, COSMO Science Forum at Dresden's Kulturpalast. Learn more

Dresden Science Night offers an opportunity to explore places and laboratories that are otherwise off-limits to the public, extending far beyond the TUD | Südvorstadt Campus . In Johannstadt, the Faculty of Medicine and the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB) will present the exciting world of life sciences to people of all ages. The COSMO Science Forum in central Dresden will welcome visitors with a wealth of fascinating science activities. Deep underground in the south of Dresden, science enthusiasts can tour the famous Felsenkeller and its particle accelerator.

You can find the complete program of TU Dresden in our event flyer (eBook | PDF file) or on the event website at www.wissenschaftsnacht-dresden.de.

What is the Dresden Science Night all about?

On this one night per year, Dresden's universities, non-university research institutions and science-related companies – open up their buildings, laboratories, lecture halls and archives to the public. Everyone can experience science and technology, research and innovation, art and culture up close in a variety of lectures, experiments, guided tours, exhibitions and films. TUD is known for having the largest number of events on offer.

Looking back at the event