RESEARCH DAYS AND FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

Binghamton University will celebrate research, scholarship and creative activities with a series of events from April 24-May 1, 2026.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

Earth Day Festival 

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, April 24, Peace Quad
Join the Office of Sustainability for Binghamton University’s Earth Day Festival on the Peace Quad! Explore sustainability initiatives, connect with student groups and local organizations, and take part in interactive activities and games. Enjoy delicious food while learning ways to live more sustainably.

Theatre: Chess

8 p.m. Friday, April 24, FA-Watters Theater
Chess is a Cold War-era rock musical centered on a love triangle involving a volatile American chess champion and his earnest Soviet rival, who are both entangled with a Hungarian-American assistant. Show tickets: student/child $10; alumni/faculty/senior/staff/veteran $18; public $22.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

NATCHANGE EcoBlitz Biodiversity Event

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 25, Nature Preserve and Lot M
EcoBlitz is a community science event that aims to make as many biodiversity observations as possible in a given area over two weeks. During this kickoff event, there will be nature-related tables and activities as well as tours.

Percussion Studio Recital

1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, FA-Casadesus Recital Hall
Members of the Percussion Studio will offer a free recital. Experience a week of creativity, performance, and collaboration during Binghamton University Research Days and Festival of the Arts.

Theatre: Chess

2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, FA-Watters Theater
Chess is a Cold War-era rock musical centered on a love triangle involving a volatile American chess champion and his earnest Soviet rival, who are both entangled with a Hungarian-American assistant. Show tickets: student/child $10; alumni/faculty/senior/staff/veteran $18; public $22.

Theatre: Chess

8 p.m. Saturday, April 25, FA-Watters Theater
Chess is a Cold War-era rock musical centered on a love triangle involving a volatile American chess champion and his earnest Soviet rival, who are both entangled with a Hungarian-American assistant. Show tickets: student/child $10; alumni/faculty/senior/staff/veteran $18; public $22

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

Festival of the Arts & Admitted Students Day

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, April 26, Fine Arts Building, Spine, Classroom Wing
Performances throughout the Fine Arts Building, screen printing on the Spine, and hands-on arts workshops. Experience a week of creativity, performance, and collaboration as Binghamton University’s Festival of the Arts brings campus to life with concerts, exhibitions, workshops, and showcases across every discipline in the arts.

Earth Fest: Live

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 26, Recreation Park, Binghamton
Earth Fest: Live will feature face-painting, crafts, tie-dying, cotton candy machines, lawn-games, composting, tabling from community organizations, live music and more. The event is organized by the Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow, Binghamton University’s Sustainability Office, Binghamton 2 Degrees and Zero Hour Binghamton, as well as several other community groups.

Choir Concert

3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 26, Anderson Center Chamber Hall
Harpur Chorale, Treble Chorus, and Chamber Singers will perform. Experience a week of creativity, performance, and collaboration as Binghamton University’s Festival of the Arts brings campus to life with concerts, exhibitions, workshops, and showcases across every discipline in the arts.

Chamber Music Recital

7:30-9 p.m. FA-Casadesus Recital Hall
Experience a week of creativity, performance, and collaboration as Binghamton University’s Festival of the Arts brings campus to life with concerts, exhibitions, workshops, and showcases across every discipline in the arts.

MONDAY, APRIL 27

Lunch and Learn: SUNY Research Connect

11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., COE-Multipurpose Room
Faculty members are invited to join the Division of Research and colleagues from SUNY’s Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development to learn more about SUNY Research Connect and how you can improve your profile and use the tool to connect with new collaborators.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28

Industry Day at Binghamton University

9 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, Innovative Technologies Complex
Join us for a showcase of Binghamton University’s advanced facilities available to industry partners and collaborators. The program is sponsored by the Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York and the S3IP Center of Excellence.

Community-Engaged Learning and Research Showcase

4-6 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, UU-Old Union Hall
Celebrate the impact of community-engaged learning or research projects resulting from strong partnerships among faculty members, students and the community! The annual Community-Engaged Learning and Research Showcase is sponsored by the Center for Civic Engagement.

Keynote featuring astronaut Jeanette Epps

7 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, Anderson Center Chamber Hall
Former NASA astronaut Jeanette J. Epps will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Binghamton Research Days and Festival of the Arts. The talk is sponsored by the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development; the Division of Research; the McNair Scholars Program; the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

Innovation to Impact (i2I) Symposium

11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 ES-2008 (Innovative Technologies Complex)
The Innovation to Impact Symposium focuses on translating research into real-world solutions. Featuring a keynote speaker and innovator panels as well as an inventor recognition ceremony, this symposium highlights use-inspired R&D and paths to commercialization and entrepreneurship for the Binghamton University community.

Spring Design Expo

1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29. UU-Mandela Room and Old Union Hall
What does it take to improve the student experience? The Engineering Design Division is putting first-year students to the task. Student teams are developing innovative solutions for campus systems and devices.

Art of Science exhibit opening reception

4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, Center of Excellence Atrium
Winners of the 2026 Art of Science competition will be revealed during the opening reception for the new exhibit. Light refreshments will be served. Entries are due Feb. 13.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

Voice Recital

1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, FA-Casadesus Recital Hall
Experience a week of creativity, performance, and collaboration as Binghamton University’s Festival of the Arts brings campus to life with concerts, exhibitions, workshops, and showcases across every discipline in the arts.

Faculty PechaKucha and Arts Reception

5-7p.m. Thursday, April 30, Fine Arts Building
Short, dynamic presentations from School of the Arts faculty alongside performances in jazz, opera, and musical theatre, with live screen printing and refreshments.

FRIDAY, MAY 1

Campus-wide Student Poster Session 1

9-10:30 a.m. Friday, May 1, UU-Mandela Room and Old Union Hall
Students from a variety of disciplines will present posters highlighting research conducted with Binghamton University mentors. Abstracts are due March 20.

Campus-wide Student Poster Session 2

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, May 1, UU-Mandela Room and Old Union Hall
Students from a variety of disciplines will present posters highlighting research conducted with Binghamton University mentors. Abstracts are due March 20.

Campus-wide Student Poster Session 3

2-3:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, UU-Mandela Room and Old Union Hall
Students from a variety of disciplines will present posters highlighting research conducted with Binghamton University mentors. Abstracts are due March 20.

Music: Momenta @ the Museum

5-6:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, University Art Museum
Experience a week of creativity, performance, and collaboration as Binghamton University’s Festival of the Arts brings campus to life with concerts, exhibitions, workshops, and showcases across every discipline in the arts.

Art of Science at First Friday

6-9 p.m. Friday, May 1, Phelps Mansion
Explore an exhibit featuring images from 10 years of the Binghamton University Art of Science competition and enjoy light refreshments. The School of the Arts will join with cinema projections, live music, and more.

Theatre: Chess

8-10:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, FA-Watters Theater
Chess is a Cold War-era rock musical centered on a love triangle involving a volatile American chess champion, Freddie Trumper, and his earnest Soviet rival, Anatoly Sergievsky, who are both entangled with Florence Vassy, a Hungarian-American assistant.

Planning an event?

Are you planning a program this year? Fill out this form so we can highlight it on our calendar of events around campus!

To learn more about this year's Research Days and Festival of the Arts, contact planning committee chair Rachel Coker at rcoker@binghamton.edu.