European Researchers' Night

On 25 September 2026, USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten and the City of St. Pölten are hosting European Researchers’ Night 2026. This science event takes place simultaneously in hundreds of cities across more than 40 countries and is one of the largest science events in Europe. With the goal of  bringing science to life and strengthening the dialogue between research and society, the St. Pölten campus and city centre will be transformed into a vibrant world of scientific discovery.

Visitors of all ages can look forward to a varied programme featuring interactive research stations, exciting experiments, hands-on activities and personal encounters with researchers from Austria and across Europe. The focus is on this year’s theme, S.P.A.C.E., which invites visitors to discover research from new perspectives and experience science in creative ways.

Science Busters and The Circus of Knowledge

Particular highlights are the performances by Science Busters, featuring Florian Freistetter and Martin Puntigam, as well as The Circus of Knowledge, which takes visitors on an entertaining journey into the world of science and innovation.

Get your free tickets here!

More Highlights

• S.P.A.C.E.-scavenger hunt through St. Pölten
• EU Wormholes: Conversations with researchers from across Europe
• A mobile version of the Ars Electronica Center’s “Deep Space 8K”
•  “Rocket Science” for kids with ESERO Austria
•  Creative station on the university of the future, with a focus on USTP’s "Europacampus Hainburg"
• Drag Story Hour: family-friendly storytime with a drag artist at the USTP City Library that promotes imagination, respect, and diversity.
• Science Pub Quiz by European University E³UDRES²
• Additional interactive research stations, workshops, and hands-on activities

Featured Programme Items

• 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.: Interactive Stations, Activities and Presentations
  • on campus and in the city centre of St. Pölten

• 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.: Kamishibai - The Dinosaur Lady | The Circus of Knowledge by JKU | Storytelling theatre for children aged 4+ | USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten
  • Paper Theater Depicting the Lives of Great Researchers - Mary Anning: The story is about the palaeontologist Mary Anning, who discovered dinosaur fossils on the English coast when she was just a young girl
    

• 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.: piano concert: Harmonices Mundi | The Circus of Knowledge by JKU | Mayors office, city hall St. Pölten
  • The internationally acclaimed pianist Marino Formenti, renowned for his extraordinary performances, presents excerpts from his new work Harmonices Mundi for the first time, inspired by Johannes Kepler’s vision of the harmony of the universe.
    

• 4:00 p.m.: Uhr: Dance Workshop "Inner Space" | The Circus of Knowledge by JKU | Herrenplatz (open air)
  • In the dance workshops by Transitheart Productions, S.P.A.C.E. comes to life through movement. Science is not explained, but explored, danced, and experienced firsthand. Open to all ages and no previous experience is needed.

• 5:45 p.m.: Uhr: Dance Workshop "Outer Space" | The Circus of Knowledge by JKU | Herrenplatz (open air)
  • In the dance workshops by Transitheart Productions, S.P.A.C.E. comes to life through movement. Science is not explained, but explored, danced, and experienced firsthand. Open to all ages and no previous experience is needed.
    

• 6:00 p.m.: „A.I. – Kasperl Intervenes“ | The Circus of Knowledge by JKU | Theater for adults | Gemeinderatssaal, city hall St. Pölten
  • In A.I. – Kasperl Intervenes, Anou Pfaffenberger brings the beloved Kasperl tradition into the digital age. This anarchic and wildly entertaining puppet performance for adults explores artificial intelligence with humor and provocation, playfully challenging ideas of consciousness, truth, and technology.
    

• 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.: Science Busters live | USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten
  • With Florian Freistetter and Martin Puntigam. Science meets humour in a show that is both entertaining and educational.

• From 8:00 p.m.: Evening programme in the city

Participation in the event is free of charge, but registration is required for Science Busters and The Circus of Knowledge.

Look forward to a day full of discoveries, fascinating insights into the latest research and inspiring encounters with scientists from across Europe.

European Researchers‘ Night 2026 and 2027

European Researchers’ Night 2026 is part of the project “S.P.A.C.E. Science & Public Awareness through Creative Exploration”. It is being organised jointly by USTP - University of Applied Sciences, Ars Electronica Centre Linz and The Circus of Knowledge by JKU. In 2026, European Researchers’ Night will take place in St. Pölten under this title, and in 2027 in Linz.

	Under the motto “30 Years. Forward Together”, USTP celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026. For three decades, we have been shaping the future – with attitude, courage, and impact.
	Sustainability Please consider using environmentally friendly means of transport when traveling to the event. How to reach us.