Program
Along with inspiring keynotes and immersive hands-on workshops, the week will feature side events & special experiences unique to Boston and MIT, from innovation showcases and lab tours to creative performances and interactive events.
FAB CONFERENCE
The cornerstone of FABx events, the Fab Conference offers a dynamic mix of inspirational keynotes, symposiums, fast talks, and other exciting program formats, plus plenty of networking opportunities. We’re sticking with the traditional split-day format: mornings will bring everyone together in a large venue to inspire the future of technology, education, community impact, and much more.
FABx Afternoons
Each afternoon at FAB26 will offer a dynamic mix of theoretical and hands-on workshops, focus groups, and other engaging program formats. You’ll have the chance to connect with peers, dive deeper into topics you care about, and participate in sessions tailored to your interests. Whether you're looking to learn a new skill, explore emerging tools, or join thoughtful conversations, the afternoon program is designed to inspire and empower.
FAB Foos
Relaxed, welcoming spaces designed for meaningful 1-on-1 conversations, small-group meetups, or spontaneous collaboration. Whether you’re connecting with a speaker, meeting potential collaborators, or simply continuing a discussion sparked in a session, these lounges offer a comfortable environment to build relationships, exchange ideas, and deepen connections throughout FAB26.
Receptions
FAB26 includes evening receptions designed to bring the global FAB community together and explore the best of Boston and Cambridge. Join us at these social events to unwind, enjoy light refreshments, and connect with fellow participants. These gatherings offer the perfect setting to exchange ideas, spark new collaborations, and build relationships that will grow throughout the week.
FAB FESTIVAL
AUG 1st, 2026 - Open to the Public
Experience the energy of the global Fab Lab community at the FAB26 Festival, taking place across New England! Explore hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and maker showcases that bring innovation into the heart of the region. Open to all ages, the festival celebrates creativity, community, and the future of making.
SIDE EVENTS
Regenerative Futures: Innovation Challenge
Boston, MA
April and July
🎭 Challenge
Hosted by the MIT pK-12 Initiative and the Fab Foundation, we invite high school aged students and their teachers or mentors around the world to participate in our regenerative challenge – to develop creative solutions to our most pressing environmental issues. We will support 15 teams in transforming their bold ideas into tangible solutions for the future of the planet. Through hands-on, iterative, team-based design and fabrication, combined with mentorship from the fab lab and maker community, participants will develop and prototype solutions to these challenges. All finalists will be announced at MIT’s Day of Climate conference in April, and all prototypes will be presented at FAB26 Boston in July.
Fab Educators Summit at FAB26
E-15 Building 6th Floor
Sunday, July 26, 2026 - 1:30PM
🎭 Summit
The Fab Educators Summit is a focused, in-person gathering for K–12 teachers, Fab Lab educators, and education leaders interested in how digital fabrication and makerspaces are used in schools around the world. Building on the success of the virtual Fab Educators Summit, this eduFAB-organized event invites FAB26 attendees to explore the education side of the Fab ecosystem through an interactive project gallery, lightning talks, and global perspectives from K–12 classrooms. Whether you work directly in education or are interested in the role Fab Labs play in schools, this summit brings together a global community to connect, share ideas, and learn from real K–12 classroom experiences.
