If you are someone who comes alive as the sun goes down, World Science Festival’s newest nighttime program Social Science is the perfect pasttime for you. Step out of your average day-to-day and slip into something a little sexy, a little sciencey and a little weird from 5:30 pm to late from March 24–25. Get access to a loaded line-up of events, as Queensland Museum transforms into a culture hub of live music, discovery and experimentation. Have the opportunity to ask your gnarliest and most pressing questions about the human body at Ask Me Anything (About the Human Body) featuring The Conversation’s Lee Constable, Lauren Ball, Dr Christian Moro and Dr Mike Todorovic. Take a lie detector test in a room full of strangers at Counterpilot’s TRUTHMACHINE – a multi-award winning new social experiment that seeks out truth in a world of fake news and alternative facts or pop in some noise cancelling headphones and be guided on a seriously scientific and really relaxing meditative journey. In between events head to the foyer for a tasty tipple, sneaky snack and some space boogie to the sounds of DJ Spock.

For the change-makers, spend the weekend in the company of journalists, comedians, researchers, philanthropists, CEOs and scientists, taking part in insightful conversations about various topics including climate change, endangered species and science that will save our planet. Spend Friday night with ABC journalist Fran Kelly as she, alongside a line-up of leading experts, discuss the consequences of a decade-long climate war and inadequate government action at Net Zero: Investing in the Future. Saturday will see a conversation led by Walkley award-winning journalist Paul Barclay about the  scientists and innovators who are constantly taking small steps and giant leaps of discovery to ensure a better life ahead, for us and our planet. Finish the weekend off on a humorous note, with a special live recording of Australia’s Best Comedy Podcast, A Rational Fear. Join Dan Ilic and Lewis Hobba as they offer some comedic relief while discussing some of scariest things facing our planet. The best part? These thought-provoking events are available as a discounted ticket bundle, so head here to snap them up.

If you’re looking for ways to entertain the kids for a day but also want to have some fun for yourself, World Science Festival has a bunch of activities perfect for a family-friendly fun-day out. Start your weekend at City of Science, which is returning to South Bank with loads of fun, hands-on activities surrounding topics such as environmental science, geoscience, biology and technology. Then head to Little Learners: Dinosaur Romp for a dynamite dinosaur-themed experience and have your lunch at Lunchtime Labs, as Legomaster’s Jess Heinemann busts science myths on the mall. Lastly, make your way to an afternoon SparkLab session and ignite your imagination in this interactive science, technology, engineering and maths space.

To check out the full program and to buy tickets, visit the World Science Festival Brisbane website.

This article was produced in partnership with our brainy mates at World Science Festival Brisbane, which is taking over our city from March 22 to April 2.