Experience Science: TUD Presents Over 250 Events at Science Night on June 26

See experiments up close, take a peek behind the scenes, discover the technologies of the future: TUD Dresden University of Technology is participating in this year’s Dresden Science Night on June 26, 2026, offering a wide range of activities. Visitors to TUD 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, and, as the grand finale, the TUD Science Slam.

During the Dresden Science Night you are invited to explore places and laboratories that are otherwise off-limits, extending far beyond the TUD campus in Südvorstadt:

• In Johannstadt, the Faculty of Medicine and the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering will present the life sciences to people of all ages.
• The COSMO Science Forum in central Dresden will open its doors with a variety of entertaining activities.
• Deep underground in the south of Dresden, visitors can tour the Felsenkeller and its particle accelerator.

Program highlights

© 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

© 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).

© Sven Ellger/TUD

Nutrition Knowledge

How much vitamin C is in our food? What is the pH level of sourdough? At TUD’s Nutrition Science Laboratory and the Learning and Experimental Kitchen, it’s not just amateur cooks who gain a deeper understanding of the processes involved in food and nutrition. When? 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Münchner Straße 1 Learn more

© 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

© 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).

© 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

© 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

You can find the complete program of TUD in our event flyer (eBook | PDF file) or on the event website of the Dresden Science Night.

Looking back at the event

What is the Dresden Science Night?

During the Dresden Science Night, Dresden's universities, non-university research institutions and companies working in science 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.

When does it start?

The 23^rd Dresden Science Night will take place on June 26, 2026 from 5 pm to midnight.

How much does it cost?

Participation in all events is free of charge.

© Landeshauptstadt Dresden

Media inquiries:

Matthias Fejes
Press Officer TU Dresden
Tel.: +49 351 463 32398
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