The library will be closed for Easter on Sunday, April 5.
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.
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)
Who: All ages
What: Details coming soon
When: Any time between 10am and 4pm
Where: Teens Area (1st floor)
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
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Who: Ages 5–12
What: Learn the fundamentals of creating a three-panel comic strip and fun characters from cartoonist and illustrator Deon'$upr Dee” Parson. Supplies will be provided. Tickets required.
When: 10–10:45am
(See also Comic Drawing Workshop, Ages 5–12, from 11–11:45am)
(See also Traditional Comics in a Digital World, Ages 13+, from 12–12:45pm)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor)
Who: Ages 8–14
What: Ready to fulfill your dreams of becoming a real Jedi (or Sith)? Learn how to engage in lightsaber combat like a pro. Practice props will be provided. Tickets required.
When: 11–11:45am
(See also Lightsaber Academy, Ages 5–11, from 10–10:45am)
(See also Lightsaber Academy, Ages 15+, from 12–12:45pm)
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Who: Ages 5–12
What: Learn the fundamentals of creating a three-panel comic strip and fun characters from cartoonist and illustrator Deon "$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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Who: Ages 16+
What: Details coming soon
When: 1:30–2:30pm
(See also Trivia, Session 2, from 3–4pm)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Who: Ages 16+
What: Details coming soon
When: 3–4pm
(See also Trivia, Session 1, from 1:30–2:30pm)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor)
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)
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 8213, 2–2:45pm)
Where: Discovery Room (1st floor)
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)
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 30 minutes before the activity begins. Pick up tickets at the Info Table in the 1st-floor lobby. Everyone must be present in order to receive a ticket.
