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2026 Neutrino Day crowd in the Opera House

Photo by Matthew Kapust

Neutrino Day 2026

The 2026 celebration of Neutrino Day brought a new record crowd of 2430 people.

Neutrino Day, SURF's free citywide science festival in Lead, was a wonderful success. The event, held each year on the second Saturday in July, features hoistroom tours, science activities and exhibits for all ages, engaging talks and performances, and live video chats with engineers and scientists underground.

These photos tell the story best. 

Photos by Matthew Kapust 

SDPB’s Science Steve wows the crowd at the Homestake Opera House
SDPB’s Science Steve wows the crowd at the Homestake Opera House
SDPB’s Science Steve wows the crowd at the Homestake Opera House
SDPB’s Science Steve wows the crowd at the Homestake Opera House
SDPB’s Science Steve wows the crowd at the Homestake Opera House
A child holds onto an Van der Graaf Generator making his hair stand on end
Kids work on a hands-on science demonstration at Neutrino Day
Kids work on a hands-on science demonstration at Neutrino Day
A child works on a hands-on science demonstration at Neutrino Day
Michael Dowding, with the physics department at South Dakota Mines and a bit of fog from liquid nitrogen ice cream
Kids work on a hands-on science demonstration at Neutrino Day
Little Shop of Physics Volunteers bring science fun to life at Neutrino Day
Kids work on a hands-on science demonstration at Neutrino Day
Kids work on a hands-on science demonstration at Neutrino Day
Kids work on a hands-on science demonstration at Neutrino Day
Kids work on a hands-on science demonstration at Neutrino Day
Kids work on a hands-on science demonstration at Neutrino Day
Kids work on a hands-on science demonstration at Neutrino Day
Sequoia Crosswhite performs at Neutrino Day
Kids work on a hands-on science demonstration at Neutrino Day
Science Steve wows the crowd during neutrino Day 2026
Ricky at the garden on Neutrino Day
Kids make chalk art on Neutrino Day
Fermilab volunteers at their table during Neutrino Day
SD Game fish and parks during Neutrino Day
SURF Volunteers are the heart of Neutrino Day they pose here in green jackets
Two women talk to two scientists at a Neutrino Day booth
The Underground Livestream at SURF on Neutrino Day
Underground Livestream underway on the big screen in the opera house.
Underground Livestream underway on the big screen in the opera house.
Underground Livestream underway on the big screen in the opera house.
CETUP Science Panel at Neutrino Day 2026
Neutrino Day Banner

Generous support from a long list of sponsors make Neutrino Day possible, including Black Hills Energy, RCS Construction, Fermilab, Travel South Dakota, Neiman, Coeur Wharf, Security First Bank, Monument Health, South Dakota Mines, Black Hills State University, Hampton Inn, Dakota Gold, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and Simpsons Printing.

SURF’s Neutrino Day community partners provide support in the Northern Hills, they include Aspire Boutique, Bloomers Flowers and Cakes, Bob's Silver Star Lounge, City of Lead, Dakota Shivers Brewing, Gentle Grind Coffee Co, Handley Center, Hearst Library, Homestake Opera House, Lead Area Chamber of Commerce, Lead Deadwood Arts Center, Lewie's Burger & Brews, Lumpy's Casino Bar, Lynn's Dakotamart, Miners & Merchants Trading Post, Nugget Convenience, Recreational Springs Resort, and the Stampmill Restaurant.