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Beakerhead was paused in 2025 while TELUS Spark considered how the festival could best serve a growing and changing Calgary. Petri Dish is what grew from that work.
Happening November 6–8, 2026, Petri Dish by Beakerhead is a community-focused, engagement-driven festival that keeps Beakerhead’s heart: a “smash up of science, arts, and engineering.”
The new byte-sized format puts greater emphasis on community participation, accessible programming and local partnerships. It’s not about recreating Beakerhead as it was. It’s about growing its next chapter.
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On September 8, TELUS Spark launched a social and web teaser for Petri Dish by Beakerhead, the reimagined return of Calgary’s science festival.
And yes, it’s intentionally a little mysterious.
The teaser marks the beginning of the rollout, inviting Calgarians to get curious before more starts to emerge. Beginning September 23, Petri Dish will start to come alive, with Beakernight tickets on pre-sale for $35 (non-member) and $20 (member), with program highlights, collaborations and festival details revealed along the way.
Friday, November 6: Beakernight, adults only. Early bird tickets on sale until October 6: $35 non-member; $20 member. *public pricing increases to $39+GST on October 7.
Saturday, November 7: All ages + FREE admission thanks to Ovintiv
Sunday, November 8: All ages, $10 Adult and $5 Kids
Additional community programming and pop-ups will begin as early as November 2. -
Because big things can grow from small beginnings.
A petri dish is a place to experiment, observe, test and grow something new. That is exactly what TELUS Spark is doing with Beakerhead.
For 2026, Spark becomes the Petri Dish, bringing together local scientists, artists, engineers, researchers, organizations and ideas and seeing what can grow when they collide.
Something is growing. It’s about to come alive.
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As an educational charity, TELUS Spark exists “to spark meaningful and transformational connections with science for all.”
Petri Dish by Beakerhead creates another way to deliver on that mission by taking science beyond traditional expectations of what a science centre experience can be.
Petri Dish is also an opportunity to amplify Calgary’s science, research, technology, engineering and creative communities and introduce them to audiences who may not otherwise encounter their work.
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Beakernight returns Friday, November 6 as the adults-only opening night of Petri Dish by Beakerhead. Expect immersive experiences, high-octane performances, and unique science demonstrations for your eyes only.
Powered by ATB Financial, the experience will bring the spirit of Beakerhead together with TELUS Spark’s after-hours programming for an immersive evening of science, art and engineering.
More details will be revealed closer to the festival.
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Both.
Brew Lab on Wednesday, November 4 is 18+.
Beakernight on Friday, November 6 is an adults-only experience, 18+.
Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8 will be all-ages festival days, featuring access to TELUS Spark’s experiences alongside additional Petri Dish programming at the University of Calgary.
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Accessibility is an important part of the new model.
Thanks to Ovintiv, admission on Saturday, November 7 will be FREE, helping more people experience Petri Dish regardless of whether they have visited TELUS Spark before.
Admission on Sunday, November 8 is reduced to $10 for adults, $5 for kids, with the goal of making the festival accessible to the community.
Brew Lab and Seven Wonders events are FREE.
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University of Calgary Event Parking Details:
Wednesday, November 4: Brew Lab
Parking is available in the lot behind the venue and on nearby streets. If you’re cycling or taking transit, the venue is close to bike lanes, Bow River pathways, and Sunalta CTrain station.
Saturday, November 7: Seven Wonders
Paid parking is available on the UCalgary campus in Lots 21 and 22.