Don’t miss your chance to visit a Canadian icon! Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest independent research institute devoted to theoretical physics, a place where scientists investigate the fundamental workings of the universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos.
In partnership with Doors Open Waterloo Region, Perimeter Institute will be one of more than 25 sites open to the public from 10:00am to 4:00pm on September 19, 2026.
During your visit, Perimeter Institute invites you to explore interactive science stations in highlighted spaces throughout the building, meet researchers, and have a seat in our Mike Lazaridis Theatre of Ideas to hear about Perimeter's history and what it takes to build a world-class physics institute from scratch.
Tickets are required for entry to Perimeter Institute – but tickets are FREE! You can pick up your ticket today at: https://perimeterinstitute.ca/events
And that’s not all!
Later that same evening, the City of Waterloo’s Lumen Festival will start at 6:00pm and run until 11:00pm. Perimeter Institute is one of the host sites for Lumen this year, so stop by and say hello. This portion of the day is all outdoors, and tickets are not required for the Lumen Festival. We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy this celebration of light, art and technology.
Last but not least, Perimeter Institute has partnered with our neighbour, the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, as a sponsor of their new exhibition, “Neon Canada: The Art of Electrified Glass” which debuts on the evening of the Lumen Festival. Neon Canada “presents the work of contemporary artists working in traditional, hand-bent neon…and celebrates the unique properties of this increasingly rare form of art.” The exhibit is set to run until early 2027.
In whatever capacity you can join us, we hope to see you on September 19, 2026. Mark your calendar now!
About PI
Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement.
