Science Rendezvous is a free, annual science festival for Southeastern Ontario families hosted by Queen’s University. Featuring hands-on demonstrations, awe-inspiring exhibits, and fun experiments, the event inspires the next generation of scientists and science enthusiasts.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) plays a pivotal role as a staple exhibitor, transforming the festival grounds into a temporary observatory. RASC volunteers offer “sidewalk astronomy” sessions that allow thousands of visitors to view the Sun through specialized solar telescopes or catch glimpses of daytime celestial objects.
Beyond the eyepiece, the RASC provides an interactive experience featuring hands-on demonstrations about cratering, light pollution abatement, and the scale of the solar system — sparking curiosity in future astronomers and providing citizens with a rare, up-close look at the technology used to explore our universe.
Science Rendezvous 2026
- Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Location: Slush Puppie Place & The Tragically Hip Way, Kingston
- Admission: Free
RASC KC at Science Rendezvous
- Solar telescope viewing
- Cratering demonstrations
- Light pollution awareness
- Scale of the solar system
- Astronomy Q&A with RASC members
About the Festival
Science Rendezvous Kingston typically features over 60 booths with hands-on experiences including chemistry experiments, physics demonstrations, robots, dinosaurs, Mars rovers, and more. Three live science shows run throughout the day, and the event includes a sensory-friendly science zone and bilingual volunteers.
Free parking is available at Fort Henry with complimentary trolley service. Faculty, staff, and students from Queen’s University, along with community partners, organize and deliver the interactive content.
Links
Contact: sciencerendezvous@queensu.ca