10–25 October 2026
It’s Bubblemania time again – just in time for the autumn half-term holidays, we’re kicking off our soap bubble festival for the whole family. Come and discover what’s inside these dazzling wonders.
phaeno Holiday Programme · Autumn 2026
Floating, shimmering and fascinating: soap bubbles are far more than just a bit of fun for children – they are true marvels of physics and chemistry! Whether it’s the precise laws of surface tension, the creation of iridescent colours through the refraction of light, or the mysteries of minimal surfaces: these shimmering shells conceal fascinating scientific phenomena.
That’s exactly why the phaeno Science Centre is transforming the autumn half-term into a shimmering world of discovery: here, soap bubbles take centre stage in spectacular experiments, huge works of art and interactive discoveries. Immerse yourselves in a world where the joy of play meets tangible science, and let yourselves be enchanted by the magic of soap bubbles.
Week 1 of the holidays
A fun family theatre show featuring soap bubbles with Prof. Bubbles (Julian Bell from Australia)
In this performance for the whole family, you’ll see how ordinary soap bubbles become the starting point for a series of increasingly unusual experiments. Some discoveries are beautiful. Some are absurd. Some seem to take on a life of their own.
With physical comedy, poetic imagery and surprising soap-bubble creations, Prof. Bubbles whisks you away into a world where the rules of everyday life suddenly no longer quite apply.
A visually unique, theatrical performance that brings together generations, languages and cultures.
Second week of the holidays
The ‘Master of Soap Bubbles’, the American Tom Noddy, demonstrates in his show just what ‘his’ soap bubbles are capable of. Using simple methods, he creates beautiful works of art such as a caterpillar, a carousel or a tornado. How does he do it? Young and old alike are enchanted by his soap-bubble artworks and discover some of the tricks of the soap-bubble tamer!
Please note that seating at the Science Theatre is limited. Tickets are only available at the box office.
Still Bubble – When soapy water becomes a magical substance
Frédéric Garrec, an artist dedicated to the art of soap bubbles, presents an artistic performance centred on soap bubbles and foam at the phaeno Bubblemania Festival.
STILL BUBBLE encourages a different perspective. Here, the soap bubble is no longer a fleeting moment: it is kept alive. Preserved without being frozen, it continues to exist in a fragile state of equilibrium. Through seven sculptures, this work seeks to move beyond scientific demonstrations or technical feats. The preservation system is merely a trivial pretext. What is on display here is not a feat of preservation, but an opportunity to take a fresh look at soap bubbles and foam.
In a world where everything moves far too quickly, these soap bubbles give us something precious: time. Time to observe them, to sense the shimmering colours, to interpret their movement as a droplet escapes, and to draw parallels with our everyday lives. In this floating space, the rules change: matter seems to breathe, to dance, to watch us. Everyone sees their own interpretation in it. The symbol of freedom replaces that of fragility.
14–22 October 2026 in the Optics section10 am to 6 pm
Die Skulpturen eröffnen somit einen Raum, in dem Poesie und Leben aufeinandertreffen. Sie laden dazu ein, die gewohnten Grenzen der Wissenschaft hinter sich zu lassen und sich mutig in die Welt der Kunst zu begeben. Sensibilität und Zerbrechlichkeit werden zu einer Kraft, zu einer Öffnung hin zu neuen Emotionen, zu einem Mittel, die Regeln des Vergänglichen zu durchbrechen.
Das große Finale: Extinction des bulles: Verlöschen der Seifenblasenkunstwerke am 22.10 ab 16:00 Uhr. Die Kunstwerke werden sich langsam auflösen und so das phaeno verlassen.
From 10 October to 25 October 2026
Experience Wolfsburg – Packages
Have you always wanted to look through a giant soap film or make huge soap bubbles yourself? Then you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll also find crackling towers of foam inside Plexiglas columns and fascinating honeycomb structures made from soap films. And if you prefer something a bit more laid-back, you can simply let soap bubbles float in what appears to be an empty aquarium.
The Ideas Forum offers space for impressive experiments involving soap bubbles and foams, as well as fascinating exhibits: soap rings, floating soap bubbles, minimal surfaces made of soap films, giant soap bubbles, honeycomb structures made of soap, foam sausage – a rising column of foam in a Plexiglas cylinder
A view into the soap film, soap smiley, soap film & architecture, wasp waist, minimal surfaces (various wire models), striped soap bubbles, shortest paths. Mixing your own foams with different – physical – properties, small soap bubbles in a Petri dish.
At the Bubble Lab, soap bubbles and foams are examined in great detail. Using wire models, soap bubble enthusiasts construct arched walls themselves using soap films, or mix foams with amusing properties using two syringes. Fans of structural engineering and architecture will also find plenty to enjoy here. These wire models with soap film demonstrate how material can be incorporated between the wires in a way that, from a modern perspective, also saves money. This is because the soap film occupies exactly this surface area. And what do tiny soap bubbles do in a Petri dish? Give it a go!
Zum Science Talk begrüßen wir Dr. Wiebke Drenckhan.
Thema: Schäume, Emulsionen, Festkörperphysik
Der Science Talk ist eine Kooperation mit Volkswagen Group und wird hybrid in Präsenz und als YouTube-Livestream angeboten, um sie auch einem breiteren interessierten Publikum außerhalb der Region zugänglich zu machen.
Mehr dazu unter
Science Talk
The staff at the phaeno Service Centre will be happy to answer your questions by calling 05361. 890 100
We are there for you: Monday to Friday (except public holidays) from 09:00 to 17:00.
phaeno Service Centre:
Phone: 05361. 890 100
Fax: 05361. 890 10 206
entdecke@phaeno.de
phaeno gGmbH
Willy-Brandt-Platz 1
38440 Wolfsburg
