FAQs

Taking public transportation to MIT is strongly recommended. Campus is easily accessible via the MBTA Red Line and bus network. To navigate public transit in the Greater Boston region with directions and suggestions based on real-time data, use the MBTA Trip Planner.

Public parking near campus includes metered spaces and several public parking garages (garage prices average around $40 for 2 hours). The number of visitor parking spaces on campus is extremely limited, and it may not be possible to accommodate every visitor who wishes to park at MIT. 

Use the MIT Campus Map to find accessible entrances and ramps; search by school, department, lab, or center; or locate public artwork, bike racks, emergency phones, dining options, and hotels. Shuttle service around campus includes EZRide (free for all) and MIT Tech Shuttles (free with MIT ID).

MIT is committed to providing an environment that is accessible to individuals with disabilities. View the Accessibility Web App, designed to indicate the accessible routes across the MIT campus. Please contact the event organizers directly for specific accessibility information or to discuss your needs.

We encourage all festival attendees to pick up their badge at one of our Registration locations as soon as they arrive at the Festival.

Your festival badge grants access to sessions throughout the week, so please keep it with you at all times. If you need it reprinted, visit our registration locations for assistance. If you attend a session without your physical badge, please refer to your MIT FutureFest confirmation email to find your QR code. 

Registration desks at these locations will be available at the following dates and times:

Wednesday, 9/30: 

MIT Museum Lobby: 12:00pm-8:00pm
Kresge Auditorium: 1:30pm-5:30pm

Thursday, 10/1:

MIT Museum Lobby: 8:30am-6:00pm
Kresge Auditorium: 8:00am-5:00pm

Friday, 10/2:

MIT Museum Lobby: 9:00am-6:00pm
MIT Media Lab Lobby: 8:30am-5:30pm

Saturday, 10/3:

MIT Museum: 9:00am-6:00pm
Kresge Auditorium: 9:00am-7:00pm

Please note that Under-18 Companion attendees do not receive an individual badge and must stay with their parent or guardian at all times.

To view the sessions you’ve selected or change your reservations at any time: click here to log into your FutureFest account. Please note all session availability updates are in real time and are subject to change.

The time listed on the program reflects when each session starts. We highly recommend arriving at each venue 30 minutes before the session is scheduled to begin.

Many sessions throughout the festival are designed to be unique and immersive experiences for small groups of attendees. As a result, late entry is not guaranteed for all sessions.

For any session taking place at Kresge Auditorium, yes! We encourage you to stop by and check with festival staff on availability to attend any session. For any other venue, check the Reservations page on the website; the availability of any session updates in real time and is subject to change.

Yes – any session with a waitlist will appear on the Reservations page of the website; select the checkbox anywhere you see “add me to the waitlist”. If our team is able to accommodate this request, we will contact you directly. If you have further questions about waitlists, staff at any registration location can assist.

Under-18s cannot attend the main program of MIT Future Fest unaccompanied by an adult. The festival program is designed for an 18+ audience. If you would like to attend with high school-aged children, please register for a Festival Pass, then email info@mitfuturefest.org to request adding one or two Under-18 Companion Passes.

Under-18 Companion Passes are offered at the same price as the Student Pass, and under-18s must be accompanied at all times by an adult. Adding an Under-18 Companion Pass will prevent attendees from accessing certain sessions with a minimum age restriction.

You may bring a bag, though we encourage packing light since events occur across campus and may be crowded. The festival reserves the right to search all and any bags at festival venues. There will be no bag check available for suitcases or larger bags on-site. 

The MIT Museum does not allow backpacks, suitcases, and other large bags. This location offers a limited number of complimentary self-service lockers; however, we encourage visitors not to bring large bags or backpacks when visiting the museum.

Laboratories or other low-capacity experiences may operate a bag check. 

The following items are prohibited in all festival venues: 

• Firearms, knives (including pocketknives), and other weapons 
• Scissors, box cutters, and other sharp objects 
• Mace, pepper spray, or similar substances 
• Drones 
• Large objects 
• Balloons 
• Noisemakers, air horns, megaphones, and amplification systems 
• Poles or sticks (including selfie sticks)  
• Alcohol, cannabis products, drugs, drug paraphernalia
• Laser pointers
• Wrapped gifts 
• Pets, other than service animals

Please note that MIT reserves the right to prohibit any item from being brought into ceremony venues; prohibited items will be confiscated and not returned.  

MIT Future Fest reserves the right to remove any guests, without a refund, who do not abide by these safety precautions.

MIT Future Fest takes place all over MIT campus and requires walking between venues. We suggest comfortable shoes and attire.

No professional photography is allowed without a pre-approved media pass.

Yes! Please visit the MIT Museum store to browse not only FutureFest merchandise, but the numerous and unique museum offerings as well.

Festival attendees are invited to grab a bite at the many restaurants and cafes near MIT campus (view on Google maps). Some options include:

Fast(er) Food

• Tatte Bakery & Café (318 Third St.)
  $10-20, local chain with Mediterranean-inspired salads, sandwiches, pastries and coffee
• CAVA (82 Ames St.)
  $10-20, Mediterranean bowls, pitas and salads
• Vester (73 Ames St.)
  $10-20, café with sandwiches, wraps, salads, burgers, breakfast and coffee
• Eastern Edge Food Hall (290 Main St.)
  $10-20, food hall next to Kendall/MIT T with multiple food vendors, including Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, sushi, burgers and vegetarian options
• Life Alive Organic Cafe (415 Main St.)
  $10-20, mostly plant-based bowls, salads, noodles, soups, smoothies and juices
• Mamaleh’s Delicatessen (15 Hampshire St.)
  $12-25, deli with bagels, smoked fish, pastrami, sandwiches, soups and breakfast
• Flour Bakery (190 Massachusetts Ave.)
  $10-20, local chain with sandwiches, soups, salads, quiche, pastries, and coffee
• Dunkin’ Donuts (MIT Stratton Student Center, 84 Massachusetts Avenue)
  $5-10, donuts, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee

Sit-Down Meals

• Shy Bird (390 Third St.)
  $15-30, rotisserie and fried chicken, sandwiches, salads and grain bowls
• Area Four (500 Technology Square)
  $20-35, wood-fired pizza, salads, sandwiches, and American/Italian-inspired dishes
• Legal Sea Foods (355 Main St.)
  $25-40, local chain for seafood, chowder, lobster, fish, and salads
• Catalyst Restaurant (300 Technology Square)
  $25-40, contemporary American restaurant with seasonal dishes, salads, sandwiches, and entrées
• Batifol (291 Third St.)
  $20-35, French brasserie with quiche, salads, tartines, and classic French dishes
• Black Sheep Café (350 Main St.)
  $20-35, casual café and restaurant at The Kendall Hotel with sandwiches, salads, burgers, and other American fare

Additionally, food trucks will be available in the Kendall/MIT Open Space during Cambridge Science Carnival on Sunday, October 4.

Please note, many of our Festival venues do not allow food or beverages in their spaces.

The VIP Lounge is located on the second floor of the MIT Museum (314 Main St.). The lounge includes light complimentary food and beverages and is a place to rest, relax, and recharge during the festival.

Thursday, 10/1: 2:00pm-5:00pm
Friday 10/2: 10:00am-5:00pm
Saturday, 10/3: 10:00am-5:00pm