Festival

We are Science Week

Date: Tuesday 19 May 2026 - Thursday 21 May 2026
Address: Gorlaeus Building
Einsteinweg 55
2333 CC Leiden

The best event of the year is back again: We Are Science Week! For three days (19–21 May), the Gorlaeus Building will be the setting for all sorts of fun activities. Compete with your team to win the Beat the Professor Pub Quiz, grab a free coffee from a barista, or come and dance at our silent disco!

This year, you can relax on the campus square for three days, enjoying games such as table tennis and table football. New this year is our clothes swap: tired of that one blouse but it’s still perfectly wearable? Trade it in for a garment of your choice. Sustainably done! And have you always wanted that Leiden Science hoodie or water bottle? Pick one up at the merchandise sale on Tuesday and Thursday! If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll move the programme indoors.

Fancy drinks after work at De Fusie? Great! The garden next to De Fusie will be open as well. You can find the full programme below.

See you then!

19 t/m 21 May - Free coffee from a barista

Fancy a freshly made cup of coffee? From Tuesday to Thursday, between 11AM and 2PM, you can order delicious free americanos, espressos and cappuccinos from a real barista on the campus square.

19 t/m 21 May - Games on the campus square

Every day, you can take a break and enjoy one of the games on the campus square with your fellow students or colleagues.

The games you’ll find here are:

Table tennis
Table football
XL Jenga
Giant Mikado
Sjoelen
Cornhole
Ski race (Loopski)
Giant Connect Four

19 and 21 May - Leiden Science Merchandise Pop-up Store + handout of last year’s shirts

Fancy walking around in a cosy Leiden Science hoodie or drinking from a cool Leiden Science water bottle? Pick up your favourite item during We Are Science Week. Drop by the Leiden Science Pop-up Store on the campus square on Tuesday and Thursday between 12-2PM. And if you’re still looking for a shirt from a previous year, you’re more than welcome to pick one up for free. While stocks last!

19 May - Stroopwafels (for free)

Nothing beats a traditional Dutch treat! On Tuesday 19 May, you can pick up free freshly made stroopwafels on the campus square between 12-2PM. Mmmm!

19 May – Make your own paper on the rooftop garden

Ever wanted to know how paper is made? Come to a paper-making workshop on Tuesday 19 May from 12-2PM in the rooftop garden! The students from LBC will talk you through all the ins and outs, and of course you’ll go home with your very own sheet of handmade paper!

19 May - Football tournament (CDL)

Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo, eat your heart out! On Tuesday 19 May, it’s time to show off your football skills during the We Are Science football tournament! In collaboration with the USC, CDL is organising a proper football competition from 12-4PM. Which team will be crowned the very first We Are Science football champion? A maximum of 12 teams (6 players per team) can take part. First come, first served! The registration form will be available here soon.

19 May - Silent disco with DJ Storm

Dance like nobody’s watching! Lose yourself in your own world at the silent disco between 4-6PM at De Fusie. The one and only DJ Storm will be on the decks! Enjoy a nice drink while you’re there. If the weather’s good, you can also relax in the garden next to De Fusie. See you there!

20 May – Live music by Take Cover! and drinks at De Fusie

Enjoy live music by Take Cover! at De Fusie from 5-6:30PM. If the weather’s good, the adjoining garden will also be open.

21 May - Escape box YAL

Which team will open the Young Academy Leiden escape box the fastest between 10-3:40PM? Sign up with a team of up to 8 people and go home with eternal glory! The registration form will be available here soon.

Location: EM.1.19

21 May - Clothes swap

Tired of that one blouse, but it’s still too good to throw away? Swap it for another item of clothing! Hand in your clothes at the study associations on Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 May. For each item you’ll receive a token. On Thursday 21 May, you can use your token to pick out another item of clothing to take home. Nice and sustainable!

21 May - Ice cream by RINO (for free)

RINO is back again this year! Using liquid nitrogen, these students make the most delicious ice cream. You can find them on the campus square on Thursday 21 May from 12-2PM. While stocks last!

21 May - USC Power Pause

Take a break during your day to move and recharge! In this session from 12-12:45PM, we combine gentle stretches with simple, more active movements. You’ll start off relaxed with a focus on your breathing, then move into a short, energising flow to wake up your body, and finish with a moment of rest.

A low-threshold way to release tension, gain new energy, and continue your day feeling refreshed. This session is hosted by the USC. The registration form will be available here soon.

21 May - Make your own bracelet

Come and make your own bracelet! Between 12-2PM, Aesculapius will give you the chance to get creative and make your own bracelets.

21 May - Food trucks

From 4:30-6:30PM, various food trucks will be on the campus square. Taking part in the Pub Quiz? Make sure to grab something to eat in time so you don’t miss the first round! Enjoy your meal!

21 May - Beat the Professor Pub Quiz

Over drinks, you’ll go head-to-head with students, staff and alumni in several rounds of trivia. The questions are not limited to (natural) sciences and can cover a wide range of topics. Form a team of up to five people. The registration form will be available here soon.

Keep an eye on our Instagram during We Are Science Week. We’ll be posting the daily programme in our stories and giving you a sneak peek of all the activities.