make-it.saarland Maker Festival

Saarland Does It Itself

The Saarland was once a heavy industry region – steel, coal, mechanical engineering. With structural change, the state has set new priorities: artificial intelligence at the university, the Helmholtz Center CISPA for cybersecurity, and SMEs in mechatronics. The make-it.saarland festival is the most visible proof of this new self-image: a Volksfest (popular festival) for makers, introducing the next generation to technology, programming, and construction.

The Concept – 'Conceived, Made'

The motto sums it all up: it's not about passive consumption, but active participation. Four pillars shape the festival:

• Innovation: Latest technologies to touch and try – 3D printing, robotics, AR/VR
• Sustainability: Upcycling, repairing, re-use as a design principle
• Making: Building, welding, programming, designing yourself
• STEM Promotion: Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, Technology for students

What You Can Experience

Over 40 booths at the E-Werk offer hands-on experiences, from simple to challenging. Highlights that regularly return:

• 3D Printing Workshop: Print your own models
• Drone Course: Learn to fly yourself
• VR Experiences: Try out virtual reality applications
• Gaming Area: PC and console stations
• Soapbox Car Building with subsequent test drives
• Liquid Nitrogen Show: Spectacular experiments with liquid nitrogen
• Magic Show by Johnny P Magic
• M+E Info Truck: Careers in the metal and electrical industry

make-it.play – The E-Sports Tournament

A dedicated pillar of the festival is make-it.play, Saarland's school e-sports tournament. Teams from Saarland schools qualify through preliminary rounds and compete against each other at the festival in the semi-finals and finals. For 2026, the semi-finals and finals are scheduled for Sunday, June 14th at 2:30 PM – the competition motto: Upcycling.

Stars of Science Communication

The festival regularly attracts prominent science YouTubers. In 2026, Dr. Jacob Beautemps is expected, among others – the physicist runs one of the best-known German science YouTube channels, BreakingLab.

Who is Behind It?

The project is managed by East Side Fab e.V., an initiative from the eastern Saarland region. The main sponsor is the RAG Foundation – the successor organization to the hard coal activities in Saar and Ruhr, which today finances educational and innovation projects in former mining regions. The Saarland Ministry of Economic Affairs holds the patronage.

Who Should Attend?

Families with children and teenagers, students of all ages, teachers, hobby makers, IT enthusiasts, computer science and engineering students. Admission with day tickets – open daily from 12 PM to 6 PM.