“The Menageria: Complex palaeo scenes and how to build them”

Modern paleoart often focuses on single animals with a minimal background. However, once you immerse yourself deep enough into palaeontology, you begin to see the remnants of entire lost worlds in the fossil record, allowing us to reconstruct these environments. By combining observations from the scientific literature and modern-day ecosystems with classic techniques for building compositions, this workshop aims to give you the tools to restore ancient ecosystems in engaging and innovative ways.

Click HERE to book your space!

If you feel a wave of artistic inspiration come to our Art Activities Room! Feel free to fill in any of our colouring pages, add to our group artwork or tissue paper collage, or just doodle any time of day!

In the Terrace from 8pm on Saturday, we’re hosting our annual art exhibition. Come and see some outstanding artwork from some of the world’s top palaeoartists. Some artwork will be for sale and many artists will be able to take on commissions (this is a 16+ only event).

“Megalosaurus to Magpies: A journey through 200 years of Palaeoart”

Explore and engage with 200 years of creativity to discover the basics of restoring the prehistoric past through the history of Palaeoart. With expert help, you can create your own pieces of Palaeoart to be proud of, and learn all about the art, guesswork, and science behind how we reconstruct these long extinct animals and bring the past to life.

In the Peter Chalk building, some of your favourite authors are signing copies of their latest books. Check our event schedule for timings.

We will be holding a live auction to raise money for the World Parrot Trust. A variety of unique donated items will be available to bid on. They will be on display at the DinoCon merchandise table (outside the Vendor Hall entrance).

Show off your palaeontology-themed costume on the main stage. Strut your stuff and you might win a prize! Please sign up to enter the Costume Competition at the DinoCon merch table, outside the Vendor Hall main entrance.

DinoMania will be taking their gigantic piloted dinosaur costumes around campus (in the Piazza if the weather is good, or in the Terrace if the weather is bad). Make sure you’re around to interact with and photograph these fun dinosaurs!

Developed by the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge, this fun activity aims to encourage budding explorers of all ages to discover fossils for themselves on their doorsteps. From gardens to car parks and driveways, fossils of ancient life can be unearthed in all sorts of environments - all you need to do is collect them!

In addition to our main talks in the Great Hall, we have a series of more scientific talks held in Newman Blue in the Peter Chalk building. At these, you can learn about the latest scientific research being undertaken in palaeontology and palaeoclimatology.

Over both Saturday and Sunday, our main talks and panels will be held in the Great Hall.

Dinosaurs are on the loose! Follow the map around DinoCon to find 14 Extraordinary Extinct™ dinosaurs and decipher the mystery word to be in with a chance of winning an exclusive t-shirt customised with the dinosaur design of your choice. All attendees will receive a trail sheet upon check-in to complete at their own pace over the weekend.

In the Great Hall at 8pm on Saturday, we’re hosting our annual palaeontology themed quiz. Prizes will be available for the winners (this is a 16+ only event)!