Bay Area Maker Faire

– presented at the San Mateo County Event Center located in San Mateo, California

10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Friday – Sunday | October 18- 20, 2024

The 16th Annual Maker Faire is the Greatest Show and Tell on Earth. A family friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.
Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of technology enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, students, and commercial exhibitors. All of these “makers” come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned. Bay Area Maker Faire Website

Maker Faire is all about learning, playing, and having a blast while trying out new ideas. From preschool to retirement, anyone can join in on the fun. And the best part? You don’t need to be taught how to do it – just set yourself free and explore! On this day programing will be geared towards school groups and additional discounts are available for groups over ten. FUN FACT: Makey is in the Saginaw, the first ship that was built at Mare Island Navy Yard, California, and was commissioned on 5 January 1860. During the next 10 years, the side-wheel steamer served in China, Mexico, Central America, and the Alaska Territory.

The launch of Maker Faire in the Bay Area in 2006 demonstrated the popularity of making and interest among legions of aspiring makers to participate in hands-on activities and learn new skills at the event. A record 215,000 people attended the two flagship Maker Faires in the Bay Area and New York in 2014, with 44% of attendees first timers at the Bay Area event, and 61% in New York. A family-friendly event, 50% attend the event with children. Also in 2014, 119 independently-produced Mini and 14 Featured Maker Faires occurred around the world, including Tokyo, Rome, Detroit, Oslo and Shenzhen.

Maker Faire is primarily designed to be forward-looking, showcasing makers who are exploring new forms and new technologies. But it’s not just for the novel in technical fields; Maker Faire features innovation and experimentation across the spectrum of science, engineering, art, performance and craft.

Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. It’s a venue for makers to show examples of their work and interact with others about it. Many makers say they have no other place to share what they do. DIY (Do-It-Yourself) is often invisible in our communities, taking place in shops, garages and on kitchen tables. It’s typically out of the spotlight of traditional art or science or craft events. Maker Faire makes visible these projects and ideas that we don’t encounter every day.