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National Geographic Society Museum Courtyard.

Photo Credit: Elman Studio

Friday June 26, 2026

Schedule Snapshot

Courtyard
  • 10 a.m.-3 p.m. - Drop-In Activities: Screenprinting, Cartography Scavenger Hunt, Phone Photo Tips with Federico Pardo
  • 4 p.m. - Live Performance: DC’s Different Marching Band
  • 5 p.m. - Live Performance: Beat Ya Feet
  • 5:30 p.m. - Live Performance: DC’s Different Marching Band
  • 6 p.m. - Live Performance: DJ Little Bacon Bear
Explorers Eatery
  • 10 a.m. - Explorer Activation: Coffee with an Explorer with Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu, Robert Montgomery and Nora Shawki
  • 5 p.m. - Live Performance: DC’s Different Jazz Band
  • 6 p.m. - Live Performance: Beat Ya Feet
  • 7 p.m. - Explorers on Explorers: Conversation with Sylvia Earle, Salome Buglass, and Ved Chirayath, hosted by Malaika Vaz.
Galleries

*Meet Under the Stars for these special in-gallery experiences

  • 10 a.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with National Geographic Society’s Mapping Team
  • 11 a.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Robert Montgomery
  • 11:30 a.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk on Sustainability at the Museum of Exploration
  • 12:30 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Nora Shawki
  • 1 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with National Geographic Society’s Mapping Team
  • 2 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Robert Montgomery
  • 3 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Nora Shawki
  • 4 p.m. -Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Lauren Gibson
  • 5 p.m. Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Lauren Gibson

Featured Explorers

  • Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu

    Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu

    Dr. Pablo "Popi" Garcia Borboroglu is a marine biologist and Explorer who has dedicated over 30 years to the protection of the world’s 18 penguin species.

  • 
Salome Buglass

    Salome Buglass

    Focused on ocean conservation and amplifying the urgency of protecting marine ecosystems.

  • Ved Chirayath wearing a wetsuit while holding a drone.

    Ved Chirayath

    Dr. Ved Chirayath is a NASA Inventor and professor, Explorer whose research uses advanced imaging technologies to study and protect underwater environments.

  • Sylvia Earle

    Sylvia Earle

    Acclaimed oceanographer, marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer at Large Sylvia Earle has spent the better part of her life as a leading expert in ocean exploration and conservation.

  • Lauren Gibson

    Lauren Gibson

    A Young Explorer that empowers youth in conservation by designing environmental summits and providing mentorship and micro-grants for community-based projects.

  • Robert Montgomery

    Robert Montgomery

    A professor and conservation scientist who protects vulnerable African wildlife while empowering local communities through his Human Heritage-Centered Conservation Framework.

  • Explorer Compass image.

    Austin D. Morris & Beth Hansen

    Screenprinting

  • Federico Pardo

    Federico Pardo

    As a filmmaker and cinematographer, he specializes in natural history, environmental, and human stories and has received two Emmy awards.

  • Nirupa A. Rao

    Nirupa A. Rao

    Nirupa Rao is an Explorer who is working toward promoting the cause of science communication, as well as deepening the intersections between art and science.

  • Nora Shawki

    Nora Shawki

    Egyptian archaeologist working to uncover and interpret ancient histories.

  • Malaika Vaz

    Malaika Vaz

    A filmmaker, TV presenter, National Geographic Explorer and CEO of Untamed Planet.

Friday Performers

  • Little Bacon Bear

    Little Bacon Bear

    Based in the DMV (DC-metro area), Little Bacon Bear is known by many for her effervescent energy and community work. As a multi hyphenate creative, her love for music as a DJ, host, and on-air personality is felt!

  • DC’s Different Drummers

    DC’s Different Drummers

    DC’s Different Drummers is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-plus band and performing arts organization welcoming ALL musicians as we foster pride, inclusivity, and engagement with the greater Washington DC region.

  • Beat Ya Feet Logo

    Beat Ya Feet

    Beat Ya Feet Academy is an organization based out of Washington DC. We represent part of Washington DC’s go-go music culture with our unique an original style of dance called “Beat Ya Feet.”

Saturday June 27, 2026

Schedule Snapshot

Courtyard
  • 10 a.m.-3 p.m. - Drop-In Activities: Sketching, Cartography Scavenger Hunt, Phone Photo Tips with Federico Pardo
  • 11 a.m. - Live Performance: The Hùng Vương Lion Dance Team
  • 1 p.m. - Live Performance: The Hùng Vương Lion Dance Team
  • 4 p.m. - Live Performance: Leon City Sounds
  • 7 p.m. - Evening Street Fair
Explorers Eatery
  • 10 a.m. - Explorer Activation: Coffee with an Explorer with Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu and Rachael Miller
  • 11:30 a.m. - Explorer Activation: Lightning Talks on Jane Goodall with Tiago Falotico, Lauren Gibson, Robert Montgomery, Felicity Muth
  • 1 p.m. - Live Performance: Dr. Ben Mirin / DJ Ecotone
  • 4 p.m. - Live Performance: Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers Composer’s Lab
  • 7 p.m. - Explorers on Explorers: Conversation with Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu, Albert Lin, Tara Roberts, hosted by Malaika Vaz.
  • 7 p.m. - Evening Street Fair
Galleries

*Meet Under the Stars for these special in-gallery experiences

  • 10 a.m. Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with National Geographic Society’s Mapping Team
  • 11 a.m. Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Rachael Miller
  • 12:30 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu
  • 1 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with National Geographic Society’s Mapping Team
  • 2 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Rachael Miller
  • 3 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk en Español con Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu
  • 4 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Malaika Vaz
  • 5 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Tara Roberts

Featured Explorers

  • Nirupa A. Rao

    Nirupa A. Rao

    Sketching With Nirupa A. Rao

    Nirupa Rao is an Explorer who is working toward promoting the cause of science communication, as well as deepening the intersections between art and science.

  • Federico Pardo

    Federico Pardo

    Mini iPhone Workshop

    As a filmmaker and cinematographer, he specializes in natural history, environmental, and human stories and has received two Emmy awards.

  • Dr. Pablo "Popi" Garcia Borboroglu is a marine biologist and Explorer who has dedicated over 30 years to the protection of the world’s 18 penguin species.

    Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu

    Dr. Pablo "Popi" Garcia Borboroglu is a marine biologist and Explorer who has dedicated over 30 years to the protection of the world’s 18 penguin species.

  • Malaika Vaz

    Malaika Vaz

    A filmmaker, TV presenter, National Geographic Explorer and CEO of Untamed Planet.

  • Tara Roberts

    Tara Roberts

    Tara Roberts is a writer and storyteller whose work shines a light on the origin story of Africans in the Americas — bringing empathy, nuance and complexity to their journey.

  • Robert Montgomery

    Robert Montgomery

    A professor and conservation scientist who protects vulnerable African wildlife while empowering local communities through his Human Heritage-Centered Conservation Framework.

  • Lauren Gibson

    Lauren Gibson

    A Young Explorer that empowers youth in conservation by designing environmental summits and providing mentorship and micro-grants for community-based projects.

  • Felicity Muth

    Felicity Muth

    Felicity Muth is a researcher interested in animal behavior and cognition, focusing on aspects of learning and memory that have a clear function in the natural world.

  • Tiago Falotico

    Tiago Falotico

    Tiago Falótico is a Brazilian primatologist and ethologist researching the behavior, social learning and culture of wild primates.

  • Rachel Zoe Miller

    Rachel Zoe Miller

    A National Geographic Explorer and expedition scientist dedicated to protecting the ocean from microplastic and microfiber pollution.

  • Albert Yu Min Lin

    Albert Lin

    Exploring what he calls the “human frontier,” he presses into the most remote and physically engaging parts of the world to take a technologist’s approach to uncover some of humanity’s most charismatic stories.

Saturday Performers

  • Lion Dancing.

    Hung Vuong Lion Dance Team

    The Hung Vuong Lion Dance Team is a youth-led cultural organization that performs traditional Vietnamese lion dance while promoting cultural preservation, youth leadership, and community engagement.

  • Ben Mirin

    Ben Mirin (DJ Ecotone)

    Dr. Ben Mirin, Ph.D. is an acoustic biologist, storyteller, and wildlife DJ who makes music from sounds he records around the world.

  • NEWF

    NEWF

    4 p.m.

  • Leon City Sounds performing.

    Leon City Sounds

    Leon City Sounds is a Washington, D.C. Based DJ duo made up of married couple Claudia and Charles Lawrence, who are known for spinning a mix of music genres.

  • Headshot of DJ Underdog.

    DJ Underdog

    A Washington, DC–based DJ, educator, radio host, and cultural curator. In 2011, he founded OkayAfrica DC, a pioneering event series celebrating the connections between African, Afro-diasporic, Latin American, and global music cultures.

  • DJ Terry TheHippiie

    DJ Terry TheHippiie

    Evening Street Fair

  • Nour Harkati holding his guitar in a black and white photo.

    Nour Harkati

    Evening Street Fair

    A North African desert blues musician and singer-songwriter from Tunisia, based in New York, who is known for his innovative blend of traditional North African music and contemporary influences.

Sunday June 28, 2026

Schedule Snapshot

Courtyard
  • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Drop-In Activities: Build your own Crittercam with the Exploration Technology Lab, Mahogany Mermaids, Fables & Futures and Phone Photo Tips with Federico Pardo
  • 11 a.m. - Live Performance: Batalá Washington
  • 12 p.m. - Live Performance: Batalá Washington
  • 1 p.m. - Live Performance: Papalca DC
  • 2:30 p.m. - Live Performance: Corazón Folklórico

Explorers Eatery
  • 10 a.m. - Explorer Activation: Coffee with an Explorer with Malaika Vaz, Deborah Santos de Avezedo Menna, and Ruthmery Pillco-Haurcaya
  • 11 a.m. - Live Performance: Dr. Ben Mirin / DJ Ecotone
  • 12:30 p.m. - Live Performance: Corazón Folklórico
  • 2 p.m. - Live Performance: Papalca DC
  • 3:30 p.m. - Explorers on Explorers: Conversation with Steve Boyes, hosted by Malaika Vaz.

Galleries

*Meet Under the Stars for these special in-gallery experiences

  • 10 a.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk on Sustainability at the Museum of Exploration
  • 11 a.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Deborah Santos de Avezedo Menna
  • 12:30 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Malaika Vaz
  • 2 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Ruthmery Pillco-Haurcaya
  • 3 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk with Deborah Santos de Avezedo Menna
  • 4 p.m. - Explorer Activation: Pop Up Talk en Español con Ruthmery Pillco-Haurcaya

Featured Explorers

  • Federico Pardo

    Federico Pardo

    As a filmmaker and cinematographer, he specializes in natural history, environmental, and human stories and has received two Emmy awards.

  • Malaika Vaz

    Malaika Vaz

    A filmmaker, TV presenter, National Geographic Explorer and CEO of Untamed Planet.

  • Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya

    Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya

    Peruvian biologist working on conservation and biodiversity projects in the rainforests of Costa Rica and Peru.

  • Deborah Santos de Azevedo Menna

    Deborah Santos de Azevedo Menna

    American Shark Conservancy researcher who studies shark diversity and post-release survival while actively mentoring underrepresented students and promoting diversity in marine science.

  • Ariam Mogos

    Ariam Mogos

    A learning technologist, designer, and researcher who leverages emerging technologies and game design to foster inclusive, playful learning experiences across diverse global communities.

  • Aliyah Griffith

    Aliyah Griffith

    Founder of Mahogany Mermaids who utilizes scuba, satellite imagery, and ROVs to research coral reef resilience while actively working to inspire children of color to pursue aquatic sciences.

  • Steve Boyes

    Steve Boyes

    An Ecologist & Conservation Biologist who dedicates his life to protecting Africa's vital wilderness areas and biodiversity through innovative research, community action, and powerful storytelling.

Sunday Performers

  • Papalca DC

    Papalca DC

    Papalca Entertainment is a cultural and artistic platform dedicated to promoting and preserving Peruvian culture through dance, live music, and storytelling.

  • Corazon Folklorico

    Corazon Folklorico

    12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

  • Batalá Washington DC performing.

    Batalá Washington DC

    Batalá Washington is an all-women drum band playing Afro-Brazilian music as part of a worldwide project promoting and sharing dynamic samba reggae rhythms from the vibrant city of Salvador, Bahia.

  • Ben Mirin (DJ Ecotone)

    Ben Mirin (DJ Ecotone)

    Dr. Ben Mirin, Ph.D. is an acoustic biologist, storyteller, and wildlife DJ who makes music from sounds he records around the world.