Qiskit Fall FestConnecticut 2026
Meet the people building quantum in Connecticut. Learn Qiskit, the open-source SDK for quantum computing, from scratch. Then build something on real hardware. Free, and no experience needed.
IBM Quantum, Qiskit and Fall Fest
Four names get used a lot around this event. What each one is, and how they relate to each other.
IBM Quantum
IBM's quantum computing division. In 2016 they put a real quantum computer on the internet for anyone to use, which had never been done before. That is the anniversary this year's Fall Fest marks: ten years of quantum on the cloud.
Qiskit
IBM Quantum's open-source Python toolkit for writing quantum programs. Free, and the thing you will actually be typing on Saturday. If you can write basic Python, a quantum circuit is about five lines.
Qiskit Fall Fest
A global series of student-run quantum events that IBM Quantum supports each fall. Around 200 universities are taking part in 2026. Last year's edition drew more than 32,000 participants across 150 organizers worldwide.
Fall Fest Connecticut
This event. Connecticut's edition, hosted by UConn Quantum Computing at Storrs. You do not need to be a UConn student to take part, and you do not need to have done any quantum computing before. Students from any Connecticut university are welcome.
UConn Quantum Computing
A student organization at UConn Storrs for people who want to use quantum computers, not just read about them. Open to any UConn student, any major, whether or not you have written code before.
The three days
Each day removes a different reason not to come. Come to one, two, or all three. Thursday and Friday are short evening sessions, and nothing is a prerequisite for anything else.
Meet
A careers and research panel, and time to network with industry professionals working in quantum.
Learn
Quantum and Qiskit from scratch, a talk from an IBM Quantum speaker, and your first circuit on a real quantum computer.
Build
The hackathon. Build something with mentors on hand all day, demo it in the afternoon, and stay for the awards.
Timings, challenges and speakers will be announced closer to the event. Register and we will email you when they are.
Every major
Quantum computing will be applied by chemists, materials scientists, biologists and financial analysts at least as much as by programmers. If you are curious, you belong here.
Every campus
This is a statewide student event that happens to be hosted at UConn. If you can get to Storrs, you can take part.
What to bring
You can turn up on Saturday with none of this done and still be fine. Doing it in advance means you spend the day building instead of installing, and Thursday's drop-in lab exists for exactly this.
An IBM Quantum account
Free, and it is what gives you access to real quantum hardware. Sign up at quantum.ibm.com and bring the email you used.
Python and Qiskit
Python 3.9 or newer, then pip install qiskit qiskit-ibm-runtime.
If any part of that was unfamiliar, come to Thursday's lab and we will do it together.
A laptop and its charger
Saturday is a long day and outlets are finite. No laptop? Say so on the registration form and we will try to sort one out.
Nothing else
No prior coursework, no reading list, no team. Everything else you need is provided on the day.
The organizing team
Students at UConn, plus the people helping us pull it off. Find any of us at the event and ask anything.
Want to sponsor, mentor or speak? Email us and we will find a way to use you.
Questions
I know nothing about quantum computing. Is this really for me?
Yes, and specifically so. About half the places at this event are held for people who have never studied quantum computing. Friday evening teaches you what you need, the Saturday has work pitched squarely at complete beginners, and mentors are on hand all day.
Do I have to come to all three days?
No. Each day works on its own. Come Saturday only if that is all you can make, and plenty of people will. That said, Friday evening is the fastest route to arriving on Saturday ready to build, and it is where teams form.
Do I need a team?
No. Teams form on Friday evening, and we will match anyone who arrives on Saturday without one. You can also work solo.
I am not a UConn student. Can I come?
Yes. This is a statewide event and students from any Connecticut university are welcome. You will need to be able to travel to Storrs in person, and there is a question about that on the registration form.
What does it cost?
Nothing. Registration is free and food is provided on all three days.
What is Qiskit?
Qiskit is IBM's open-source Python toolkit for writing quantum programs. If you can write basic Python, you can write a quantum circuit in about five lines. If you cannot write Python yet, Friday will get you far enough.
Will there be prizes?
Yes, along with certificates of participation. Details closer to the event.
How do I join UConn Quantum Computing afterwards?
Turn up to a meeting. There is no application and no prerequisite. Ask any organizer at the event, or email us.
Registration
Free, open to students across Connecticut, and designed for people starting from zero. Saturday places are limited by room capacity, so register early.
Registration starting soonWe will announce the date on our socials and by email. Email us to be told the moment it opens, or with any question at all.