Expo Day | San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering Week 2026

Expo Day is back at Petco Park. Free admission. No tickets. No registration. Just show up.

Over 100 hands-on exhibits fill the ballpark, drawing more than 20,000 visitors and making this the largest event of its kind in Southern California. Programming spans the full STEAM spectrum — science, technology, engineering, arts, and math — with exhibits designed for everyone from pre-K to grandparents.

What’s There

The Illumina Stage in Gallagher Square anchors the main performances, with acts including The Music Notes (math-themed rap), a fusion energy show from General Atomics, and the Fleet Science Center’s “Don’t Try This at Home” demonstration. Beyond the stage, the venue is organized into specialty zones:

Slime-making, virtual reality, and rocket launches fill out the general floor. The high-traffic stations — slime and VR especially — will draw lines fast once the crowds arrive mid-morning.

Know Before You Go

Petco Park runs its standard policies for all events, not just Padres games.

• Clear bag policy in effect. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC — maximum 12” × 6” × 12”. Small clutches up to 5” × 7” are allowed without the clear requirement.
• The venue is cashless. Credit cards and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work everywhere. Reverse ATMs are available inside if you’re carrying cash.
• You can bring food and drink. Factory-sealed water (1 liter or under) and personal-sized snacks are permitted. Concession stands will be open with kid-friendly, vegetarian, and vegan options.
• Bring a reusable water bottle (no glass). Water refill stations are available throughout the stadium — a smart move for a 7-hour day.
• Parking is $10 at the Padres Parkade and Tailgate Lot. With 20,000+ expected, the trolley is the smarter call — Blue or Orange Line to 12th & Imperial, or Green Line to Gaslamp Quarter.

A Few Pro Tips

1. Arrive at 10 a.m. The slime stations and VR exhibits fill up fast. Getting there at opening gives you a real head start before families arrive in force mid-morning.
2. Plan your zones first. With 100+ exhibits across a major league ballpark, having a rough route in mind prevents decision fatigue and missed highlights.
3. Check the stage schedule. Performances on the Illumina Stage in Gallagher Square run throughout the day — worth timing a break around a show your kids will enjoy.

More Information

The event is presented by the San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering. Full exhibitor lists, maps, and program details are available on their site as the date approaches.

Source: San Diego County Office of Education