Highlights of Maker Faire Miami 2026: Where Curiosity Becomes Creation
Maker Faire Miami 2026 was a weekend-long celebration of creativity, curiosity, and community, where over 5,000 students, families, educators, and makers came together to build, explore, and imagine what’s possible.
It all began on Friday with Maker Education Day, where more than 700 students and over 100 teachers & chaperones transformed the Fuchs Pavilion at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center into a living classroom. Students rotated through hands-on activities that brought STEAM to life: building, experimenting, designing, and discovering alongside real makers.
From experimenting with circuits to engaging in design challenges, every moment was an invitation to participate. Teachers watched as students lit up with curiosity – fully immersed, asking questions, and making connections that no textbook could replicate.
What made the experience unforgettable were the makers themselves. Students stepped into the world of the 501st Legion, where storytelling meets craftsmanship, and witnessed the intensity of live demonstrations from Florida Armored Combat, where physics and engineering play out in real time. Maker Celebrity, John Collins (The Paper Airplane Guy), taught the science behind air flight and allowed students to try their hand at creating record-breaking airplane designs. Featured maker Mateo Jarquin, from MateoTechLab, shared his inspiring story from student to award-winning innovator during a lunch and learn with the students.
Across the floor, artisans, engineers, and creators shared not just what they made—but how and why they made it—turning every interaction into a moment of inspiration.
Maker Education Day By The Numbers:
700+ Students
100+ Teachers
& Chaperones
28 Classrooms
40+ Activities
Impact By The Numbers:
The Demonstrations and Activities at Education Day Had an Impact on My Students by:
91%
82%
81%
90%
Creating a Sense of Belonging in a STEAM Learning Environment.
Helping Students See Themselves as Engineers, Artists, or Makers
Encouraging Collaboration and Peer-to-Peer Learning
Exposing Students to Tools, Technologies, or Materials they don’t Typically Access
96%
99%
94%
83%
Increasing Student Engagement and Attention
Sparking Curiosity and Interest in STEAM Topics
Aligning with STEM/STEAM Learning Objectives at the School/Org
Demonstrating STEAM Field Career Pathways for Students
Teacher Testimonials:
Moonlighter FabLab STEAM+ Student Showcase
Moonlighter FabLab’s Design Thinking sessions are a part of the City of Miami Beach STEAM+ Partnership program, where cultural anchors facilitate in-school STEAM enrichment programs across Miami Beach feeder pattern school sites. In the 2025-2026 school year, Moonlighter FabLab served over 600 students across 5 schools. Students spent an hour each week with Moonlighter FabLab educators and learned the fundamentals of the design thinking methodology, basic circuitry, 3D design and 3D printing. Five students from each classroom were selected to feature their work at Maker Faire Miami in the student showcase. Each student and their families received free entry to the event and were able to participate in all of the activities.
Maker Education Day 2026 Highlights Video
Maker Faire Miami – Main Event Days
As the weekend opened to the public, that same energy expanded into a full-scale festival of innovation.
Families poured in by the thousands, filling the space with excitement—from the roar of combat robots in the Robot Renegades arena to the spectacle of cosplay, live performances, and interactive exhibits around every corner.
Combat Robotics
Palm Beach Bots hosted Robot Renegades where over 30 competing teams across various weight classes battled it out in the arena.
Maker Talks
Maker Talks brought powerful stories to the stage, where creators shared their journeys, their failures, and their breakthroughs—reminding audiences that making is as much about persistence as it is about invention.
The Art of Turning Ideas Into Reality by PLACITECH
Alessandro Placitelli
MateoTechLab | How to Build a Difference
Mateo Jarquin
How to build almost any robot
Alex Stephens – Every Flavor of Robot
New Threads: STEM Education Through Fashion
Christina Ernst
InterlinkKnight
Daniel Richter
Creative Futures: Art, Technology and AI Interfaces
Jadayne Smith
Maker Education Zone – Workshops
Workshops invited attendees of all ages to roll up their sleeves and create something of their own. Whether it was a child building their first project or an adult rediscovering the joy of making, the experience was the same: hands-on, minds-on, and deeply personal.
Play with Robots: Animaquina Interactive Robot Workshop
Luis Pacheco
Build Your Own AI Agent on a Raspberry Pi
hello_miami
Building and Programming Semi-Autonomous Electric Vehicles
Max Ringelheim
Wood Working for Early Learners
David Wells
Voice Acting for Beginners
The Kitchen
Maker Cities Presentations
The Maker Cities Program took to the Maker Talks stage – as students presented bold, community-driven design concepts for the future of public space on Lincoln Road. The Maker Cities Program is an NSF-funded, workforce-driven, hands-on learning experience that brings together design, advanced manufacturing, and civic engagement. Over the course of an intensive studio program at Moonlighter FabLab, participants develop skills in digital fabrication, design thinking, and entrepreneurship while tackling real-world challenges in partnership with local stakeholders.
After thoughtful deliberation by the panel of judges, Agency 4: Lincoln Walls emerged as the winning proposal—recognized for its creativity, feasibility, and impact. Selected to move forward into full-scale fabrication, the project now enters its next phase as a collaborative design-build effort, bringing students’ ideas out of the class and into the real world.
Two NEW Performance Villages:
501st Legion Galactic Empire & Medieval Armored Knights
Cosplay was on full display – from Vacuum Forming experts displaying props, to MH Cosplay showing larger than human scale costumes, to David Alvarez’ life sized Wall-E, BB-8, and Rocky animatronics, to theme-park quality displays by Vida Custom Designs. But the two showstoppers with large footprints on the show floor came from the 501st Legion with a 50′ x 50′ Galactic Empire experience with interactive sets and over a half-dozen live characters you could interact with. Right next to it was the Florida Armored Combat Arena with scheduled Knight Fights all weekend long. It was a high energy experience that had people cheering for their favorite Knights.
Over a Dozen FREE Hands-on Activities
Aside from the dozens of activities offered by makers at their booths, each family received a Maker Passport that encouraged them to try their hand at a dozen FREE maker activities. When a family completed their passport, they would receive a Maker Faire Miami poster and sticker pack! There were also a few low-cost activities including screen printing your own commemorative shirt, Build your own Nerdy Derby, and soldering an LED light up badge.
Throughout the weekend, one thing became clear – Maker Faire Miami is more than an event, it’s a reflection of a growing movement where learning is active, creativity is celebrated, and anyone -regardless of age or background – can become a maker.
From students discovering new passions on Education Day to families creating lasting memories over the weekend, Maker Faire Miami 2026 proved that the future isn’t something we wait for.
It’s something we make…together!
Maker Faire Miami Highlights Video + Full Playlist
See all the videos at the Maker Faire Miami YouTube Channel
Maker Faire Miami By The Numbers:
Exhibit Types
Attendance
Interactive Experiences
Testimonials
Event Gallery
Maker Faire Miami is independently organized and operated by Moonlighter FabLab, Inc. under license from Make: Community, LLC. Maker Faire Miami 2026 is part of the annual cultural programs organized by Moonlighter FabLab, and made possible with the support of the City of Miami Beach Department of Tourism and Culture, Cultural Arts Council, and the Miami Beach Mayor and City Commissioners.
Maker Faire Miami 2026: South Florida’s Largest Celebration of Creativity, Innovation, and DIY Culture Is Back
April 25 & 26th from 10am – 5pm at Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center – Fuchs Pavilion
For more than 13 years, Maker Faire Miami 2026 has served as South Florida’s flagship celebration of the global Maker Movement—bringing together engineers, artists, inventors, creators, tinkerers, educators, and families for one unforgettable weekend of innovation and inspiration.
Hosted by Moonlighter FabLab and Mario the Maker, Maker Faire Miami has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated STEM and creative culture events, drawing thousands of attendees annually to experience the future of making firsthand.
This year’s event promises to be the biggest and most exciting yet, featuring over 250 makers, live performances, competitions, workshops, hands-on activities, and headline featured creators from across the country. It is ALL INDOORS at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center – Fuchs Pavilion – over 49,000 square feet of exhibits!
Whether you’re a lifelong maker, a curious family, an educator, or simply looking for one of the most unique weekends in South Florida—this is the event you do not want to miss.
Meet the Featured Makers Headlining Maker Faire Miami 2026
Christina Ernst – She Builds Robots
Engineer, educator, and creator of She Builds Robots, Christina is a nationally recognized robotics advocate whose mission is to inspire more girls to pursue careers in engineering and technology. She’ll be showcasing approachable robotics builds and sharing how anyone can start building in tech.
Read More about She Builds Robots
John Collins – The Paper Airplane Guy
World-record holder and globally renowned paper aircraft designer, John Collins will be teaching attendees how to build incredible high-performance paper airplanes all weekend long while sharing the science behind his record-breaking designs.
Read More about John Collins – “The Paper Airplane Guy”
Mateo Jarquin – MateoTechLab
Young innovator and content creator behind MateoTechLab, Mateo showcases inventive robotics, electronics, and DIY engineering projects that prove the next generation of makers is already changing the world.
Read more about MateoTechLab
Alessandro Placitelli – Placitech
Known for his creative electronics, mechanical builds, and inventive prototyping, Alessandro combines engineering and interactivity to create projects that inspire curiosity and experimentation.
Read More about PLACITECH
Every Flavor of Robot
A fan-favorite group of robotics creators pushing the boundaries of unconventional robotic design, Every Flavor of Robot brings wildly imaginative robotic creations that blend engineering with entertainment.
Read More about Every Flavor of Robot
Experience the 501st Legion Star Wars Village
Step into a galaxy far, far away with the 501st Legion Star Wars Village, featuring Lucasfilm-recognized cosplayers in movie-accurate costumes from the Star Wars universe.
Meet iconic characters, take photos, and immerse yourself in one of the most beloved fan communities in the world.
Witness Live Medieval Combat with the Armored Knights
Watch full-contact armored combat as the Armored Knights clash in real steel armor using swords, axes, and medieval weapons. It’s intense, loud, and unlike anything else at Maker Faire—a live-action demonstration of historical craftsmanship and athletic combat.
Learn More.
Explore 250+ Makers, Exhibits, and Interactive Experiences
From robots to drones, cosplay to crafts, art to design, aerospace to AI—Maker Faire Miami features over 250 makers and exhibitors spanning nearly every discipline imaginable.
Expect to encounter:
- Massive robots and kinetic sculptures
- Interactive art installations
- Engineering prototypes and inventions
- Student innovation showcases
- Craft makers and artisan creators
- Cutting-edge fabrication technologies
- Startup and entrepreneurial exhibits
- Science experiments and demonstrations
Every corner of the event offers something new to discover.
Check out all of the Makers!
Combat Robot Competitions All Weekend Long
Hear the sparks fly and the crowd roar as builders from across the region battle it out in live combat robot competitions throughout the weekend.
Custom-built bots enter the arena to clash in thrilling head-to-head matches that showcase strategy, engineering, and destruction.
Dozens of Free Hands-On Activities for All Ages
Maker Faire Miami isn’t just about watching – it’s about doing.
Attendees can participate in over a dozen free hands-on activities and demonstrations, including:
- Block Printing
- Flying a Drone
- Make-A-Button
- Laser Cutting Demonstrations
- Wood Turning Demonstrations
- Ceramics Demonstrations
- Interactive Engineering Challenges
- DIY Craft Stations
- Lapidary Activities
- And much more!
Additional low-cost maker experiences include:
– Learn to Solder a Light-Up LED Badge
– Screen Print Your Own Shirt
– Nerdy Derby & More!
Scheduled Workshops for Deeper Learning
Take your experience further with FREE specialized workshops led by expert makers and educators:
- Build Your Own AI Agent on a Raspberry Pi with Hello_Miami
- Programming a Robotic Arm to Draw with Luis Pacheco
- Build & Program an Electric Kart with Max Ringelheim
- Early Woodworking for Early Learners with David Wells
- Voice Acting for Beginners with TheKitchen
Check out the full schedule: https://miami.makerfaire.com/schedule/
South Florida’s Most Inspiring Weekend Is Almost Here
Maker Faire Miami is more than an event—it’s a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the belief that anyone can make something extraordinary.
Thousands will gather to experience:
- World-class featured makers
- Hands-on STEAM activities
- Live competitions and performances
- Incredible exhibits from across the maker spectrum
- Inspiration for makers of every age
The only question is… Will you be there?
Tickets are on sale now. Secure yours before prices increase.
Join the thousands of families, educators, creators, and innovators attending South Florida’s greatest show-and-tell.
Learn More & Buy Tickets:
https://miami.makerfaire.com
When & Where
–
April 25-26th, 2026 | 10am–5pm
Miami Dade County Fair & Expo Center – Fuchs Pavilion
SW 109th Avenue & Coral Way, Miami Fl. 33165
Parking available on-site $10 per vehicle
Media Contact:
Moonlighter FabLab / Maker Faire Miami
mario@mariothemaker.com
Meet Featured Maker Mateo Jarquin (MateoTechLab): Building the Future, One Project at a Time
At Maker Faire Miami 2026, we celebrate makers who turn curiosity into action—and Mateo Jarquin, creator of MateoTechLab, is doing exactly that.
Blending engineering, creativity, and a passion for sharing knowledge, Mateo represents a new generation of makers who are not just learning technology – they’re redefining how we engage with it.
From Curiosity to Creation
Mateo’s journey is rooted in exploration. Through MateoTechLab, he designs and builds projects that span robotics, electronics, and inventive DIY systems – all driven by a desire to understand how things work and how they can be improved.
His work reflects a fearless approach to making:
- Experiment first, refine later
- Learn by building, not just watching
- Turn challenges into opportunities for innovation
Each project is a glimpse into what happens when creativity meets technical skill.
A Digital Creator Inspiring the Next Generation
On his YouTube channel, Mateo shares his process with a growing audience – breaking down builds, documenting experiments, and inviting others to follow along. What makes his content stand out is its authenticity. You see the wins, the failures, and the iteration in between. It’s not just about the final product, it’s about the journey of becoming a maker.
For students especially, Mateo is proof that you don’t have to wait to start – you can begin building right now.
Featured Maker Talk: How to Build a Difference
Catch Mateo live in the Maker Talks Zone, where he’ll share his journey as a young innovator and how hands-on making has shaped his path.
Talk Time: Saturday April 25th at 2:30pm – Maker Talks Zone
In his talk, you’ll discover:
- How he started building and documenting projects
- The tools and techniques behind his creations
- Lessons learned from trial, error, and persistence
- Advice for aspiring makers and student creators
This session is especially powerful for young attendees who want to see what’s possible when you start early and stay curious.
Explore MateoTechLab Projects at His Booth
Mateo’s booth is where his ideas come to life.
Visitors can expect:
- Interactive builds and working prototypes
- Robotics and electronics projects up close
- Insight into his design and build process
- A chance to connect directly with Mateo and ask questions
It’s an inspiring space that invites you to not just observe – but to imagine what you could build next.
Mateo represents the spirit of Maker Faire: open, curious, and driven by a love of learning. He’s part of a growing movement of young creators who are using technology not just to consume—but to create, share, and inspire others along the way.
See MateoTechLab Live
Join us at Maker Faire Miami 2026 at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center (Fuchs Pavilion) April 25th & 26th to meet Mateo Jarquin and experience MateoTechLab in action.
Come curious. Leave ready to build.
Meet Featured Maker – John Collins, “The Paper Airplane Guy”: World-Class Flight, One Sheet at a Time
At Maker Faire Miami 2026, we’re bringing in makers who can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. John Collins, better known as “The Paper Airplane Guy,” does exactly that- turning a single sheet of paper into a high-performance flying machine.
If you think paper airplanes are simple, John is about to completely change your perspective.
From Simple Folds to World Records
John Collins is one of the most recognized paper airplane designers in the world. He held the Guinness World Record for paper airplane distance from 2012 to 2022, a testament to the precision, experimentation, and deep understanding of aerodynamics behind his work.
His designs go far beyond the classic dart:
- Long-distance gliders
- Indoor duration flyers
- Planes that loop, spin, and soar
- Designs that blend art, science, and engineering
What starts as a simple fold becomes a masterclass in flight.
A Global Stage: Media, Museums & Major Talks
John’s work has captured global attention across television, media, and museums.
Television Appearances Include:
- Conan
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not
- National Geographic, Discovery, Science Channel
- CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC
- ESPN, NFL Network
Museum & Science Center Collaborations:
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
- Exploratorium
- The Tech Interactive
- Hiller Aviation Museum
- Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
- Copernicus Science Centre
- Science Centre Singapore
Speaking Engagements Include:
- TEDx Munich
- Google Zeitgeist
- WIRED 25
- Harvard Graduate School of Design
- Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, Rice University
- Maker Faires around the world
His work has also been featured in WIRED, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Gazette, and more – solidifying his place as a leading voice in creative engineering.
Learn to Build Paper Airplanes All Weekend
What makes John’s presence at Maker Faire Miami truly special?
At his booth, John will be:
- Leading hands-on paper airplane building sessions all weekend long
- Teaching folding techniques for high-performance designs
- Helping participants test and refine their planes
- Sharing insights one-on-one with makers of all ages
Whether you’re a student, educator, or just someone who hasn’t folded a plane in years, this is your chance to learn from one of the best in the world.
John Collins reminds us that innovation doesn’t always require advanced tools or expensive materials. Sometimes, all you need is a sheet of paper, a curious mind, and the willingness to experiment! His work brings engineering back to its most accessible form – and inspires anyone to start building.
See The Paper Airplane Guy Live
Join us at Maker Faire Miami 2026 at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center (Fuchs Pavilion) April 25th and 26th to meet John Collins and experience the magic of flight… one fold at a time.
Come ready to build. Leave ready to soar.
Meet Featured Maker – Every Flavor of Robot: Creativity Without Limits
At Maker Faire Miami 2026, we celebrate makers who push boundaries, surprise us, and remind us that engineering can be just as playful as it is powerful. Every Flavor of Robot is exactly that – a creative force turning robotics into something wildly imaginative, unexpected, and fun. If you think robots are just about precision and function, think again.
Robots With Personality (and a Twist)
Every Flavor of Robot isn’t about building just one kind of robot – it’s about exploring every kind. From quirky concepts to unconventional designs, their work embraces experimentation and creativity in a way that keeps audiences guessing. Each build feels like a question: What if a robot could do this instead? The result? Projects that are equal parts engineering, art, and entertainment.
A Channel That Inspires Through Exploration
Through their YouTube channel, Every Flavor of Robot shares a wide range of builds that highlight the fun side of robotics.
What sets their content apart:
- Bold, unconventional ideas
- A willingness to experiment and iterate
- Entertaining, engaging project storytelling
- A reminder that failure is part of the process
It’s not just about building robots – it’s about exploring what robots could be.
Featured Maker Talk: How to build almost any robot
Join Every Flavor of Robot in the Maker Talks Zone for a session that challenges how we think about robotics and creativity.
Talk Time: Saturday April 25th at 4pm – Maker Talks Zone
In this talk, you’ll experience:
- A behind-the-scenes look at their most unique builds
- Insights into creative ideation and prototyping
- How experimentation leads to innovation
- Inspiration for makers of all ages to think differently
This is a talk for anyone who loves robots – but especially for those ready to break the rules and build something unexpected.
Experience the Robots Up Close
At their booth, Every Flavor of Robot brings their creations into the real world – where you can see, interact, and experience them firsthand.
Expect:
- One-of-a-kind robotic builds
- Interactive demonstrations
- Playful, surprising engineering concepts
- Opportunities to engage directly with one of the creators
Every Flavor of Robot reminds us that innovation doesn’t have to be serious to be impactful.
By blending humor, creativity, and engineering, they open the door for more people, especially students, to see themselves as makers. Their work proves that robotics isn’t just about solving problems – it’s about expressing ideas.
See Every Flavor of Robot Live
Join us at Maker Faire Miami 2026 at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center (Fuchs Pavilion) on April 25th and 26th to experience Every Flavor of Robot in action.
Come for the robots. Stay for the creativity. Leave inspired to build something completely your own.
Meet Featured Maker Christina Ernst (She Builds Robots) – Engineering Confidence, One Robot at a Time
At Maker Faire Miami 2026, we’re proud to feature makers who aren’t just building incredible things – they’re building pathways for others to follow. Christina Ernst, founder of She Builds Robots, is doing exactly that.
Engineer, educator, content creator, and advocate – Christina is on a mission to make robotics more accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for the next generation.
Building Robots – and Breaking Barriers
Christina’s work goes far beyond circuits and code. Through She Builds Robots, she creates projects that demystify engineering and invite more people, especially girls, into the world of tech.
Her builds range from beginner-friendly robotics to more advanced systems, all designed with one goal in mind: Make engineering feel approachable, creative, and empowering.
She’s not just teaching people how to build robots, she’s helping them see that they belong in the space.
A Recognized Voice in the Maker & Tech Community
Christina has been featured across major maker and tech platforms, earning recognition for both her technical expertise and her impact as an advocate. Her work and voice have appeared in CNN Style, Make: Magazine, Forbes, Entertainment Weekly, CBC, and Popular Science. She was a recurring engineering correspondent on Season 6 of the educational STEM show Mission Unstoppable with Miranda Cosgrove. She also served as the 2024 Maker-in-Residence at Chicago Public Library. As a speaker, she brings a powerful combination of technical knowledge and personal storytelling – sharing not just how she builds, but why it matters.
A Mission That Matters: More Girls in Tech
At the heart of She Builds Robots is a clear and powerful mission:
to inspire more girls to explore engineering, robotics, and technology.
Christina actively works to:
- Break down stereotypes around who belongs in tech
- Create accessible entry points for beginners
- Share her journey to encourage others to start theirs
- Build confidence through hands-on making
Her message is simple but impactful: You don’t have to fit a mold to be an engineer, you just have to start building.
Featured Maker Talk: New Threads: STEM Education Through Fashion
Catch Christina live in the Maker Talks Zone, where she’ll share her journey, her work, and her mission to expand access to robotics.
Talk Time: Sunday April 26th at 1pm — Maker Talks Zone
In her talk, expect:
- Her personal path into engineering and robotics
- Lessons from building and teaching in public
- Insights on creating inclusive maker spaces
- Advice for young makers, especially girls, looking to get started
This is more than a talk… it’s a call to action.
See the Self-Twirling Dress at Her Booth
Christina’s booth brings her work to life, offering a space where visitors can see a robotic dress first-hand. Get inspired by the creativity that unfolds when fashion meets technology.
Christina Ernst represents the future of the maker movement – one that is not only innovative, but inclusive. By combining engineering with advocacy, she’s helping shape a world where more voices are represented in technology, and where more young people can see themselves as creators, builders, and problem-solvers.
See She Builds Robots Live
Join us at Maker Faire Miami 2026 at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center (Fuchs Pavilion) April 25th and 26th to meet Christina Ernst and experience She Builds Robots in action.
Come for the robots (and the Fashion). Leave with the confidence to build your own.
You must be logged in to post a comment.