The library will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 19. More details »
The library will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 19. More details »
Plans are underway for NerdFest 2026, so check back for details.
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 will be 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, digital art, Lego building, and more.
When: Any time between 10am and 4pm
Where: Community Room (1st floor)
Who: All ages
What: The first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day! Stop by the NerdFest Hub in the Community Room and get your free comic book while supplies last.
When: Any time between 10am and 4pm (while supplies last)
Where: Community Room (1st floor)
Who: Ages 5+
What: CHS's award-winning robotics team hosts an interactive demonstration of their 2025 robot, Hydra. Try your hand at operating Hydra, participate in STEM trivia, grab some TechHOUNDS goodies, and more. (Under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult to operate the robot.)
When: Any time between 10am and 2pm
Where: Community Room (1st 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 4pm
Where: Meeting Room C (2nd floor)
Who: All ages
What: Drop by to play a board game with friends, family, or to make some new friends. Hosted by Who's Yer Gamers.
When: Any time between 10am and 4pm
Where: Teens Area (1st floor)
Who: Ages 10+
What: If you've ever been curious about how to play Dungeons and Dragons, now is your chance! Enjoy a quick (20- to 30-minute) session to learn the basics and go on a short adventure.
When: Any time between 10am and 4pm
Where: Lobby balcony (2nd floor)
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 11am
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Who: Ages 5–12
What: Drop in, meet other Pokémon fans, trade cards, bring your own deck and learn how to battle, and design-your-own Pokémon card. (Please keep at home any favorite cards that you don't want to trade, accidentally lose, or misplace!)
When: Any time between 10am and 11:30pm
(See also Pokémon Trading Card and Battle Station, Ages 13+ 3pm–4pm)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor)
Who: Ages 5–10
What: Drop-in and create a craft from three different options: build a paper lightsaber, design a mythical creature, and bring a fire-breathing dragon to life.
When: Any time between 10am and 11:30am
Where: Discovery Room - Kids Area (1st floor)
Who: Ages 10+
What: Drop in to design and create your own dragon egg to take home with you. (While supplies last.)
When: Any time between 10am and 11:30am
Where: Teens Program Room (1st floor))p>
Who: All ages
What: Help the library’s Teen Homeschool Art Club create a giant NerdFest chalk mural on the sidewalk. (Weather permitting.)
When: Any time between 10am and 12pm
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Who: Ages 5–10
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: 11am–12pm
(See also Lightsaber Academy, Ages 11+ from 12pm–1pm)
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Who: Ages 10+
What: Design and create your very own, one-of-a-kind map. Whether you are writing a book, creating a Dungeons & Dragons adventure, or just love fictional maps, this craft is for you.
When: Any time between 11:30am and 1pm
Who: Ages 16+
What: Whether you've seen the Lord of the Rings movies or you've read JRR Tolkien's entire Legendarium, test your knowledge of the stories of Middle Earth with your friends to win prizes. Tickets required.
When: 12pm–1pm
(See also Anime and Manga Trivia 1:30pm–2:30pm)
(See also General Nerdom Trivia 3pm–4pm)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor)
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: 12pm–1pm
(See also Comic Drawing Workshop, Ages 13+ from 1:30pm–2:30pm)
Where: Discovery Room - Kids Area (1st floor))p>
Who: Ages 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: 12pm–1pm
(See also Lightsaber Academy, Ages 5–10 from 11am–12pm)
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Who: All ages
What: Meet teen author and illustrator Lainey Weishaar whose wrote and illustrated her children’s book Bosco the Dragon as part of the library’s Teen Artist-in-Residence program. Enter to win a copy of the book and pick up Bosco the Dragon merch while supplies last.
When: 12pm–2pm
Where: Lobby (1st 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: 1:00pm
Where: Community Room (1st floor)
Who: All ages
What: All costumed and cosplay attendees are invited to join in a group photo immediately following 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: Ages 12+
What: Join us as we create faerie wings. Harness your creative energy and fly into a magical world of fantasy and whimsy. All supplies will be provided. Tickets required.
When: 1:30pm–2:30pm
Where: Teens Program Room (1st floor)
Who: Ages 16+
What: Fans of anime and manga, put your knowledge of the media to the test to win prizes with your friends. Tickets required.
When: 1:30pm–2:30pm
(See also Lord of the Rings and Tolkien Trivia 12pm–1pm)
(See also General Nerdom Trivia 3pm–4pm)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor))p>
Who: Ages 8–13
What: Curious about Live Action Role Playing? Join Indy’s own Gryphon's Perch LARP group to learn the rules of LARPing, basic game play, and how to engage in combat. An in-person waiver is required, and a parent or guardian signature is needed for anyone under 18 years of age.
When: 1:30pm–2:30pm
(See also LARP Workshop, Ages 14+ 2:30pm–4pm)
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Who: Ages 13+
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: 1:30pm–2:30pm
(See also Comic Drawing Workshop, Ages 5–12 from 12pm–1pm)
Where: Discovery Room - Kids Area (1st floor))p>
Who: Ages 14+
What: Curious about Live Action Role Playing? Join Indy’s own Gryphon's Perch LARP group to learn the rules of LARPing, basic game play, and how to engage in combat. An in-person waiver is required, and a parent or guardian signature is needed for anyone under 18 years of age.
When: 2:30pm–4pm
(See also LARP Workshop, Ages 8–13 1:30pm–2:30pm)
Where: Event Lawn (outside)
Who: Ages 13+
What: For teens and adults only, come in and design your own dragon egg or map in a calmer and quieter environment.
When: Any time between 2:30pm and 4pm
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: 3pm–4pm
(See also Lord of the Rings and Tolkien Trivia 12pm–1pm)
(See also Anime and Manga Trivia 1:30pm–2:30pm)
Where: Meeting Room B (2nd floor))p>
Who: Ages 13+
What: Drop in, meet other Pokémon fans, trade cards, bring your own deck and learn how to battle, and design-your-own Pokémon card. (Please keep at home any favorite cards that you don't want to trade, accidentally lose, or misplace!)
When: Any time between 3pm and 4pm
Where: Discovery Room - Kids Area (1st floor)
(See also Pokémon Trading Card and Battle Station, Ages 5–12 10am–11:30am)
Who: Ages 10+
What: Quote lines out loud, yell in excitement, cheer on the protagonists while booing the villains: join us for this interactive movie experience to finish out the NerdFest celebrations! 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.
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" in the Schedule of Activities), free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis 60 minutes before the activity begins. Pick up tickets at the NerdFest Hub in the 1st-floor Community Room. Everyone must be present in order to receive a ticket.
Food and drink will be available to purchase at Java House in the Main Library or at the Stadium on Wheels food truck outside the Community Room.
Sign up to donate blood at the Versiti Bloodmobile, which will also be visiting the library's parking lot during NerdFest.
Members of the Carmel Fire Department will be on hand to share information about fire safety.
And more fun surprises throughout the day!
Looking for a quiet place to take a break? Visit Meeting Room A (2nd floor).
These four 3D-printed characters are hidden around the library. Mark them off here as you find them. Then submit your name and email address to be entered into a drawing for a $50 Foundation Friends Bookstore gift card.
