Events: National Geographic Explorers Festival

Each year, Nat Geo celebrates incredible scientists, conservationists, explorers, and storytellers that have helped in creating change for the better at their Explorers Festival. This year, 140 Changemakers from around the globe will come together to share their experiences and discoveries. 

The National Geographic Awards take place on June 14th, but the National Geographic Festival is a weeklong event, starting on June 11th and ending on June 17th. The Festival from June 11th to June 13th will be closed to the public for a three-day networking and collaboration event for Nat Geo staff and explorers, but the rest of the Festival is open to the public! You can purchase individual tickets for each event, or save 10% on all Explorer Festival events by purchasing an Explorers Festival Pass for $100, which gets you into all four events! 

There are four incredible events that you can attend: 

Special Ceremony: National Geographic Awards on Thursday, June 14th

$25

7:30 PM - 10 PM

The National Geographic Awards this year will be honoring incredible inidviduals, including photographer Joel Sartore, who has aimed to document every species, Peter Raven, internationally renowned botanist and powerful conservation advocate described as a “Hero for the Planet”, planetary scientist Carolyn Porco, The environmentalist Ma Jun, fighting pollution in China, and so many more! The night of awards will also be hosted by the outstanding talent, actor and director Ravi Patel, known for co-directing Meet the Patels, and being featured in over 70 commercials, tv shows, and movies, including Scrubs, Transformers, Grandfathered, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Master of None, and Past Life. This star-studded night will also have special performances by Melissa Etheridge, Ben Harper, and Amber Riley. 

Happy Hour Social: Party for the Planet on Friday, June 15th 

$25

6 PM - 10 PM

National Geographic’s upcoming Party for the Planet will explore the potential of a “planet in balance.” The event will feature explorer-themed cocktails, sustainable food trucks and non-plastic tableware. Incredible performances will be made by the band the Suffers, who have appeared on The Daily Show and The Late Show. They will also have complimentary bike valets! Guests can explore the museum, sample delicious drinks and food, and dance the night away—sustainably! 

Conversations: Saving Ourselves From Ourselves on Saturday, June 16th 

$50

9 AM - 4 PM

This event is from 9am to 4pm, hosted by NBC News correspondent Stephanie Ruhle and National Geographic Explorer Kenny Broad, which brings together explorers with leading experts in science, conservation, and other fields to discuss critical issues and plans to save our planet and every species living on it. 

Documentaries: FURTHER Film Festival on Sunday, June 17th 

$10

11 AM - 5 PM

The Film Festival will feature 12 captivating documentaries that help to showcase the amazing work all of these explorers accomplish in the field.

For more information, go to: National Geographic Explorers Festival