Maker Faire Orlando fills the Central Florida Fairgrounds this weekend with more than 250 exhibits. Parking is free, and veterans and teachers get in free.

Maker Faire Orlando returns this weekend with fighting robots, 3D-printed tanks and more than 250 exhibits. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Center, 4603 W. Colonial Drive.

Parking is free both days, the organizers said on their plan your visit page.

The faire is a nonprofit, volunteer-organized show where engineers, artists, scientists and crafters show what they build. It is funded in part by Orange County through its Arts and Cultural Affairs Program.

What is on

The Maker Faire Orlando home page lists these among this year’s featured makers:

  • Florida Armored Combat, with real steel armor and live armored fights
  • a one-third scale replica of a World War II Sherman tank, 3D-printed and radio-controlled
  • a limousine built from a 1982 private jet
  • Cactus Maximus, a giant singing cactus
  • Exploding Heads robots, where players fight until one robot’s head pops off

There is also robot combat in an arena, hands-on workshops where visitors can learn to solder and take home what they make, cosplay, stage talks and the Power Racing Series.

Tickets and who gets in free

Tickets are sold online through Humanitix, which the organizers say gives its profits to children’s charities. Weekend passes cannot be shared, and single-day passes are good for Saturday or Sunday.

Some visitors get in free or at a discount, according to the organizers’ visit page:

  • First responders, active military and veterans: free with ID at the ticket booth.
  • Educators: employees of schools, colleges, universities and libraries get in free with ID.
  • Families with an EBT card: $5 per person, per day, at the ticket booth.
  • Students: student tickets include college students with a current ID.

Friday, Nov. 6, is Field Trip Day for school groups, teachers and home-school families. Registered groups from Title I schools get in free.

Before you go

  • No outside food or drinks, except for medical, dietary or religious needs. Food is sold on site.
  • Strollers, backpacks and a bottle of water are allowed.
  • No pets. Trained service animals are welcome.

What it means for you

Parking is free, and veterans, first responders, school and library staff get in free. Families with an EBT card pay $5 a head. Everyone else buys a ticket through Humanitix.

For more ideas, see things to do in Orlando this weekend.