Maker Faire Orlando is a non-profit, community-organized, celebration featuring local do-it-yourself science, art, rockets, robots, crafts, technology, music, and hands-on activities. The family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness returns Nov. 4-5, 2023 where people show what they are making and share what they are learning at the 11th annual event to be held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds.
Individuals behind the exhibits are known as ‘makers’ and range from tech enthusiasts to crafters and scientists to garage tinkerers of all ages and backgrounds. The two-day event is expected to draw 15,000 attendees and includes 200+ exhibits, Power Racing, Combat Robots, Nerdy Derby, cosplay makers, and much more on display throughout three air-conditioned exhibit halls, as well as green spaces filled with hands-on activities, workshops, and competitions.
“Maker Faire Orlando is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these ‘makers’ to show their hobbies, experiments, or projects for others to glimpse the future and get inspired,” said founder Ian Cole.
Maker Faire Orlando
- Saturday, Nov. 4 and
Sunday, Nov. 5
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (both
days)
- Central Florida
Fairgrounds (4603 W Colonial Dr.,
Orlando, FL 32808)
- FREE on-site parking
- A variety of food choices are available for purchase.
- For more information and
tickets visit www.makerfaireorlando.com
- Stay social @MakerFaireOrlando on Facebook and Instagram and
@OrlMakerFaire on “X” (formerly Twitter) using #MFO2023
Save money and skip the
line, pre-event savings end Nov. 3
- Pre-event, online
tickets start at $15 for youth and students and $20 for adults.
- Add a second day to your
one-day ticket for $10.
- Children under age three
are FREE.
- Order tickets online
(nominal fee applies): www.makerfaireorlando.com/attend/
- Tickets are available at
the gate Nov. 4 and Nov. 5
- First responders, active
military, and Veterans receive free admission to Maker Faire Orlando with
identification
- Employees of schools,
colleges, universities, homeschool educators, and libraries also receive
free admission to Maker Faire Orlando with identification.
New for 2023: Maker Faire
stage presented by Universal Creative
Meet world-class Maker Jen Schachter (IG: @schac_attack), the mastermind behind large-scale public art projects and collaborative builds. Schachter cut her teeth in the Maker realm building furniture and teaching workshops at maker spaces in Baltimore, writing tool instruction manuals, and testing digital fabrication machines for Make: Magazine.
On the cover of the current issue of Make: Magazine, Schachter wears her 80s glam-inspired Marie Antoinette wig made from EVA foam.
Invited guests include film historian and model maker Michael Corrie (IG: @propstohistory), award-winning cosplay creator Allison Chase (IG: @allison.chase.cosplay), Magic Wheelchair Executive Director Christine Getman (IG: @magicwheelchair), and Caleb Kraft (IG: @caleb_kraft) contributing editor for Make: Magazine. Additional invited guests will be announced soon.
From engineers to artists to
scientists to crafters, makers showcase hobbies, experiments, and projects.
Immerse yourself in Maker culture with exhibits, a performance stage, big art,
and spectacle. Experience hands-on learning by people who make, play, tinker,
and hack including robotics, cosplay, STEM & STEAM, crafts, science,
electronics, tools, and crazy things you’ve never seen!
Robot Ruckus
Robot Ruckus is included with all
Maker Faire Orlando tickets. See your favorite robot builders having fun
destroying each other's toys! Meet your favorite BattleBots builders as seen on
the Discovery Channel and Discovery+, as well as local robots competing in
multiple weight classes. Bots of all sizes will be competing, and several
of your favorite BattleBots will be on display.
Power Racing Series
Power Racing is a fun-filled
racing experience where makers construct their own machines to go racing.
Racers can spend up to $500 on a racer that looks like a children’s ride or
toy. Individuals and teams (friends, businesses, organizations) join in the fun
to compete for Power Racing bragging rights.
Award-winning Cosplay Makers
Interact and observe cosplay
makers in their element and working on their craft including Orlandoian Allison
Chase with her Puppeted Catbus, a full-sized Guardian from Zelda Breath of the
Wild, and the cart titan from anime sensation Attack on Titan.
Also new this year, Nikolas Conte presents Re-üzit specializing in upcycling old and unused material into new and exciting cosplay. From Goodwill finds to couches on the side of the road, he uses it all. Hear from notable cosplay and prop makers on the Maker Faire stage and ask cosplay and prop-making questions.
