The library will be closed for Memorial Day on Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25.
A celebration of all things nerdy!
Saturday, May 9, 2026
at the Main Library
Activities in the morning (10am-1pm) are geared toward kids ages 5–12, while activities in the afternoon (1pm-4pm) are focused more on teens and adults. People of all ages are welcome at NerdFest, but there are limited activities for children under the age of 5.
Note that many events happen concurrently, so use this schedule to prioritize the activities you're most interested in.
10am–4pm
NerdFest Hub
Who: All ages
What: Enjoy arcade games, free comic books, the robot designed and built by Carmel High School's TechHounds, digital art, Lego building, and more.
When: Any time between 10am and 4pm
Where: Community Room (1st floor)
Dungeons & Dragons Den
Who: Ages 8+
What: Join a one-shot session of the legendary TTRPG Dungeons & Dragons! Open to both complete beginners and seasoned adventurers, we will have multiple short (20- to 30- minute) adventures running all day for you to drop in and play.
When: Any time between 10am and 4pm
Where: Teens Area (1st floor)
10am–2pm
Donate Blood with the Versiti Bloodmobile
What: Be a superhero—give blood at the Versiti Blood Center of Indiana's bloodmobile. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome as space allows.
When: Any time between 10am and 2pm
Where: Outdoor parking lot next to the library parking garage
10am–1pm
Quidditch Field Free-Play
Who: Ages 5–12
What: Live out your Harry Potter dreams and play a pickup game of Quidditch with other kids. Brooms, hoops, balls, and equipment will be provided.
When: Any time between 10am and 1pm
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Crafting Corner Jr.
Who: Ages 5–10
What: Drop in and create a craft from ten different options. Selections of Minecraft, Fantasy, Star Wars, and Pokémon crafts will be available to choose from, as many or as few as you'd like! (While supplies last)
When: Any time between 10am and 1pm
Where: Discovery Room - Kids Area (1st floor)
Community Lego Build
Who: Ages 10+
What: Stop by to add your own creativity and flair to the community Lego build! Join forces with other NerdFest attendees to build as many cool and unique things out of the assortment of Lego we have on hand at the library. If building isn't your thing, come for the last 30 minutes (12:30-1:00) to help tear it all down after pictures have been taken of everyone's builds.
When: Any time between 10am and 1pm
Where: Meeting Room A (2nd floor)
Build Your Own Board Game
Who: All ages
What: Drop in to create your very own board game! We will provide a variety of game supplies and components that you can use to build the perfect board game.
When: Any time between 10am and 1pm
Where: Meeting Room C (2nd floor)
10am–12pm
NerdFest Chalk Mural with the Teen Homeschool Art Club
Who: All ages
What: Help the library's Teen Homeschool Art Club create a giant NerdFest chalk mural on the sidewalk outside the Community Room. Enjoy the spring air while adding to the community art mural. (Weather permitting.)
When: Any time between 10am and 12pm
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
10am–11am
Crafting Corner: Minecraft and Mingle
Who: Ages 10+
What: Be there or be square! Join us in creating Minecraft-themed paper crafts and wooden coasters. (While supplies last)
When: Any time between 10am and 11am
Where: Teens Program Room (1st floor)
10am–10:45am
Lightsaber Academy, Ages 5–11
Who: Ages 5–11
What: Ready to fulfill your dreams of becoming a real Jedi (or Sith)? Learn how to engage in lightsaber combat like a pro. Practice props will be provided. Tickets required.
When: 10–10:45am
(See also Lightsaber Academy, Ages 8–14, from 11–11:45am)
(See also Lightsaber Academy, Ages 15+, from 12–12:45pm)
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Comic Drawing Workshop, Ages 5–12 (session 1)
Who: Ages 5–12
What: Learn the fundamentals of creating a three-panel comic strip and fun characters from cartoonist and illustrator Deon "$upr Dee" Parson. Supplies will be provided. Tickets required.
When: 10–10:45am
(See also Comic Drawing Workshop, Ages 5–12, from 11–11:45am)
(See also Traditional Comics in a Digital World, Ages 13+, from 12–12:45pm)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor)
11am–11:45am
Lightsaber Academy, Ages 8–14
Who: Ages 8–14
What: Ready to fulfill your dreams of becoming a real Jedi (or Sith)? Learn how to engage in lightsaber combat like a pro. Practice props will be provided. Tickets required.
When: 11–11:45am
(See also Lightsaber Academy, Ages 5–11, from 10–10:45am)
(See also Lightsaber Academy, Ages 15+, from 12–12:45pm)
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Comic Drawing Workshop, Ages 5–12 (session 2)
Who: Ages 5–12
What: Learn the fundamentals of creating a three-panel comic strip and fun characters from cartoonist and illustrator Deon "$upr Dee" Parson. Supplies will be provided. Tickets required.
When: 11–11:45am
(See also Comic Drawing Workshop, Ages 5–12, from 10–10:45am)
(See also Traditional Comics in a Digital World, Ages 13+, from 12–12:45pm)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor)
11:30am–1pm
Crafting Corner: Charms 'n' Chains
Who: Ages 10+
What: Add some sparkle to your outfit by creating your own bracelets, keychains, bag charms, and more! (While supplies last)
When: Any time between 11:30am and 1pm
Where: Teens Program Room (1st floor)
12pm–12:45pm
Lightsaber Academy, Ages 15+
Who: Ages 15+
What: Ready to fulfill your dreams of becoming a real Jedi (or Sith)? Learn how to engage in lightsaber combat like a pro. Practice props will be provided. Tickets required.
When: 11–11:45am
(See also Lightsaber Academy, Ages 5–11, from 10–10:45am)
(See also Lightsaber Academy, Ages 8–12, from 11–11:45pm)
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Comics Open Panel: Traditional Comics in a Digital World, Ages 13+
Who: Ages 13+
What: Adults and teens will learn from Rosebuds creator $upr Dee about his career in newspaper comics and what it means to make a comic strip in 2026. Tickets required.
When: 12–12:45am
(See also Comic Drawing Workshop, Ages 5–12, from 10–10:45am)
(See also Comic Drawing Workshop, Ages 5–12, from 11–11:45am)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor)
1:00
3D-Printed Lightsaber Prize Drawing: Announcement of Winners
Who: All ages
What: Be sure to enter your name into the raffle for the chance to win one of four 3D-printed lightsabers created in the library's Digital Media Lab. Visit the NerdFest Hub (1st-floor Community Room) between 10am and 1pm to enter the drawing and see the Lightsabers on display.
When: 1pm
Where: Community Room (1st floor)
1:15
Cosplay Parade
Who: All ages
What: Anyone in costume is invited to join the Cosplay Parade! Cosplayers will walk a short route around the first floor of the library and outside along the front of the library (weather permitting) in order to show off their looks to NerdFest attendees. This will take place immediately after the Lightsaber drawing. (Photo will be taken by library staff and may be used by the library for promotional purposes.)
When: 1:15pm
Where: Lobby (1st floor)
1:30pm–3:30pm
Teen Artists in Residence Meet & Greet
Who: All ages
What: Stop by the Main Lobby and Teen Artist-in-Residence Studio in the Teens Area to meet the spring semester's Teen Artists in Residence. Learn more about their art and the process behind it. Discover how you can be a Teen Artist in Residence.
When: Any time between 1:30pm and 3:30pm
Where: Lobby and Teen Artist in Residence Studio (1st floor)
1:30pm–2:30pm
LARP Workshop, Ages 8–13
Who: Ages 8–13
What: Curious about Live Action Role Playing? Join Indy's very own Gryphon's Perch LARP group to learn the rules of LARPing, basic game play, and how to engage in combat. A waiver is required, and a parent or guardian's signature is needed for anyone under 18 years of age. Waiver can be printed and signed ahead of time or signed in-person with a parent or guardian present.
When: 1:30–2:30pm
(See also LARP Workshop, Ages 14+, from 2:30–4pm)
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Crafting Corner: Baubles in Bottles
Who: Ages 10+
What: Fortify your whimsy with a magic potion or make a home for mischievous critters at this drop-in craft. (While supplies last)
When: 1:30–2:30pm
Where: Teens Program Room (1st floor)
Classic Sci-Fi Trivia
Who: Ages 16+
What: From the golden age of cinema to iconic voyages across the small screen, put your knowledge of classic science fiction to the test to win prizes with your friends. Tickets required.
When: 1:30–2:30pm
(See also General Nerdom Trivia from 3–4pm)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor)
Cosplay Seminar: The Art of Found Object Costuming, Session 1
Who: Ages 10+
What: It's a common dilemma: You want to cosplay, but you don't have much cash. Or you don't have access to a sewing machine, and wouldn't know what to do with it if you did. Or the con is in two days, and you don't have time to make something from scratch. Sound familiar? If so, this panel is for you! We'll show you costumes made for less than $10, plus discuss character selection, the process of deconstructing a costume, and how to build a complete costume out of things you have around the house. Presented by "And Sewing is Half the Battle.” Tickets required.
When: 1:30–2:30pm
(See also Cosplay Seminar from 3–4pm)
Where: Meeting Room C (2nd floor)
2pm–4pm
Tribble-Making Station with Starbase Indy
Who: Ages 12+
What: Join our friends from Starbase Indy and create your own stuffed Tribble, the lovable menace made famous in StarTrek. Just be sure not to let them reproduce and take over your car and your home!
When: 2–4pm
Where: Meeting Room A (2nd floor)
2pm–2:45pm
KPop Demon Hunters Dance Session, Ages 8–13
Who: Ages 8–13
What: Ready to move like Rumi, Mira, and Zoey? Join this session hosted by Dance Fam to learn fun choreography inspired by KPop Demon Hunters - no experience needed! Come ready to channel your inner demon fighter and dance like you're saving the world! Tickets required.
When: 2–2:45pm
(See also KPop Demon Hunters Dance Session, Ages 14+, 3–3:45pm)
Where: Discovery Room (1st floor)
2:30pm–4pm
LARP Workshop, Ages 14+
Who: Ages 14+
What: Curious about Live Action Role Playing? Join Indy's very own Gryphon's Perch LARP group to learn the rules of LARPing, basic game play, and how to engage in combat. A waiver is required, and a parent or guardian's signature is needed for anyone under 18 years of age. Waiver can be printed and signed ahead of time or signed in-person with a parent or guardian present.
When: 2:30–4pm
(See also LARP Workshop, Ages 8–13, from 1:30–2:30pm)
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
3pm–4pm
Crafting Corner: Tales in Textiles
Who: Ages 10+
What: Drop in and bring to life your own original character or create fanart of your favorite universe with felt character crafts and customizable tote bags. (While supplies last)
When: 3–4pm
Where: Teens Program Room (1st floor)
General Nerdom Trivia
Who: Ages 16+
What: From superheroes to anime to Star Wars and more, grab some friends and test your knowledge of the Nerdiverse to win prizes. Tickets required.
When: 3–4pm
(See also Classic Sci-Fi Trivia from 1:30–2:30pm)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor)
Cosplay Seminar: The Art of Found Object Costuming, Session 2
Who: Ages 10+
What: It's a common dilemma: You want to cosplay, but you don't have much cash. Or you don't have access to a sewing machine, and wouldn't know what to do with it if you did. Or the con is in two days, and you don't have time to make something from scratch. Sound familiar? If so, this panel is for you! We'll show you costumes made for less than $10, plus discuss character selection, the process of deconstructing a costume, and how to build a complete costume out of things you have around the house. Presented by "And Sewing is Half the Battle.” Tickets required.
When: 1:30–2:30pm
(See also Cosplay Seminar from 1:30–2:30pm)
Where: Meeting Room C (2nd floor)
3pm–3:45pm
KPop Demon Hunters Dance Session, Ages 14+
Who: Ages 14+
What: Ready to move like Rumi, Mira, and Zoey? Join this session hosted by Dance Fam to learn fun choreography inspired by KPop Demon Hunters - no experience needed! Come ready to channel your inner demon fighter and dance like you're saving the world! Tickets required.
When: 3–3:45pm
(See also KPop Demon Hunters Dance Session, Ages 8–13, 2–2:45pm)
Where: Discovery Room (1st floor)
4:15pm–6pm
Interactive Movie: The Princess Bride
Who: Ages 10+
What: Quote lines out loud, yell in excitement, cheer on the protagonists while booing the villains. Finish out the NerdFest celebrations with this interactive movie experience! Popcorn and props will be provided.
When: 4:15pm–6pm
Because the rest of the library closes at 5pm and will be inaccessible, make sure to have all belongings with you. Movie begins promptly at 4:15.
Where: Community Room A (1st floor)
How Ticketing Works
NerdFest is a free event. Many of the activities are drop-in and do not require tickets.
For activities that do require tickets (marked with "Tickets required" on the Schedule of Activities), free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Info Table in the 1st-floor lobby.
- Tickets will become available 30 minutes prior to an activity's start time.
- Due to limited capacity and the popularity of many activities, it's best to plan to pick up a ticket as soon as the ticketing begins.
- Everyone who wants a ticket must be in line to get one.
