In the heart of Newark, enjoy planetarium shows, dinosaur fossils, a petting zoo, VR experiences, live jazz, and more. All in one afternoon. All for free.
That’s the pitch for STEAM Around the Square—Newark’s annual celebration of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The event is returning for its third year on Saturday, May 30, from 12 to 4 p.m.
STEAM Around the Square is completely free, tailored specifically to children 12 and under. Families are invited—rain or shine—to spend the afternoon exploring Newark’s Washington Street corridor. Take a stroll down to the Newark Museum of Art; then over to The Pillars; the Newark Public Library after that; finally, Washington Street itself, which will be closed to traffic and taken over by food trucks and science experiments for the day. This upcoming event was made possible through a collaborative effort with Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Newark Arts & Ed District, Audible, Newark Museum of Art, Newark Public Library, and New Jersey Symphony.
What’s in Store
The list of activities is expansive.
Kids can build circuits, create with Legos, watch robots in action, make slime, explore instruments and music, try spin art, and get a close-up look at real dinosaur fossils. And the fun doesn’t stop there. There’s also a petting zoo, art stations, and live jazz performances scattered throughout the afternoon.
Anchoring the event is The Newark Museum of Art (NMOA). Founded in 1909 on the belief that art and education are for everyone, the NMOA is New Jersey’s largest fine art museum, boasting a collection of more than 300,000 artworks and artifacts. For STEAM Around the Square, the Museum is hosting Free planetarium shows at the Dreyfuss Planetarium—New Jersey’s first, opened in 1954—alongside hands-on science and art programming throughout the afternoon.
Last year’s event introduced an Explorer Passport, and it’s back for 2026. Kids pick up the passport-style booklet, sending them on a mission across the event grounds. Plus: prizes for passport completion.
Food trucks will be feeding eventgoers throughout the afternoon. Families can also walk across the street to Visit Newark Local Beer at 538 Broad Street. The family-friendly brewery specializes in craft beer with plenty of activities—foosball and cornhole.
The Neighborhood Behind It
STEAM Around the Square is a reflection of what Newark’s Arts and Education District is building. The district encompasses arts and educational institutions, downtown parks, galleries, restaurants, and major transportation hubs, with a mission to celebrate Newark’s cultural legacy in a unified, accessible way. Washington Street, lined with the Newark Museum of Art, the Newark Public Library, and Audible’s The Pillars, is the beating heart of that vision.
Getting There
Washington Street will be closed to traffic, open only to pedestrians throughout the duration of the event. For those traveling by car, free parking is available at 20 Bridge Street—about a five-minute walk to the Newark Museum of Art and three minutes to the Newark Public Library. Better yet, take the Light Rail right to Harriet Tubman Square, steps from the event. Lastly, NJ Transit’s Broad Street Station is only a few blocks away, offering another viable transportation option.
What better way to celebrate the weekend than with an event that’s equal parts fun and educational. For an afternoon that covers the likes of science, art, music, food, and enough hands-on activities to keep kids occupied for hours, this is one of the best family events on the New Jersey calendar this spring.
And remember: It’s free.
STEAM Around the Square takes place Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 12 to 4 p.m. on Washington Street in Newark, NJ. Free admission. More info here.
Michael is the Editor-in-Chief of New Jersey Digest and Creative Director at X Factor Media. A Bergen County native, he discovered his passion for storytelling while studying at Montclair State University. In addition to his work in journalism and media, Michael is an avid fiction writer. Outside the office, he enjoys kayaking, a bold glass of Nebbiolo, and the fine art of over-editing.