Overview

Join us on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza for an exciting, FREE day of science and discovery! Sponsored by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, the Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival invites innovators of all ages to explore the connections between science and the arts through fun and engaging performances, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities along with other festival food and fun! The festival runs from 11:30am – 2:30pm. 

The Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival is presented with generous support from:

Beckman Foundation


  • At-a-Glance

    Runtime (Approximate):

    3 hours

    Performance schedule

    • 11:45am: The Alley Cats
    • 12:30pm: Doktor Kaboom
    • 1:15pm: Dancing Storytellers
    • 1:45pm: The Alley Cats
    • 2:15pm: Dancing Storytellers

    Performers

    Doktor Kaboom!
    Creatively blending theater arts with the wonders of scientific exploration, over-the-top German physicist Doktor Kaboom's supercharged (and super safe!) science experiments will have you erupting with laughter and bubbling with curiosity.

    Dancing Storytellers
    Attendees will be delighted to learn about lifecycles in nature through this duo of talented artists’ engaging short performance utilizing South Asian music and dance.

    The Alley Cats
    The Alley Cats are America’s Doo-Wop group, serving up a perfect blend of 1950’s & 60’s hits and hilarious comedy.

    Circo Etereo
    Circus Aerial Arts and Dance Entertainment is an Orange County company that integrates many circus, aerial and dance disciplines. Their jugglers and stilt walkers will be roaming throughout the festival, wowing the audience with their spectacular skills.

    Participating partner organizations

    • Santa Ana Zoo
    • Shared Science
    • Kids @ Science
    • Crystal Cove Conservancy
    • Girl Scouts OC
    • Girls, Inc. of OC
    • Irvine Public School Foundation
    • Columbia Memorial Space Center
    • Bytes and Bots
    • Brain Builders
    • OC STEM initiative
    • Environmental Nature Center
    • OCC Astronomy Club
    • Science Heads
    • Newport Bay Conservancy
    • Urban Workshop
    • Mesa Water District
    • Kaiser Permanente

    Exciting partner activities to include:

    • Extracting a DNA from a strawberry
    • Building and racing your own Lego car
    • Meeting live animals
    • Taking a close look at the sun (safely!)
    • Building and operating robots

    Other Activities Include:

    • Mini rain rides around campus
    • Balloon twisters and face painters from Twist & Shout Events
    • Interactive bubble play area from BubblePOP
    • Oversized building kits including Imagination Playground

    Food

    Food will be available for purchase from the following vendors:

    • George’s Café
    • Kala food truck
    • Cali Delights food truck
  • Venue Information