Schedule
November 4–11, 2026
Note: all the schedule updates will be released soon.
General event description:
- Welcome Ceremony
- This is a celebration of quantum computing! Please join us for the opportunity to kick-off the full week of quantum events and learn about the state of quantum computation. There will be an opportunity to meet fellow participants and form hackathon/challenge teams.
- Hackathon and Coding Challenge
- Coding Challenge refers to beginner/intermediate friendly quantum computing exercises.
- Hackathon refers to an open-ended prompt related to a topic in quantum computing where teams participate in building a product or proposing a solution to a problem.
- Participants can form teams to participate in either or both. Both the challenge and the hackathon are released on Day 0 of the Qiskit Fall Fest.
- Lecture series
- Quantum bootcamp is a hands-on crash-course on quantum computing, including quantum mechanics, linear algebra and probability theory. Suitable for beginners and intermediate participants.
- Lab tours
- If you would like to see quantum facilities around Boulder, lab tours is a great option! Space is limited so sign up early!
Wednesday, November 4
Day 0 · Kick off
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 3:50–6:00 pm | ECCS 201 | Welcome ceremony, including hackathon/challenge team formation time Food is provided! |
| 5 PM | Hackathon / coding challenge begins Team sign up opens (sign up by 3 PM on Nov 5th to receive hardware access): https://forms.gle/fQZYxxf8LUgJTawK8 |
Thursday, November 5
Day 1 · Bootcamp & tours
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 am–12:00 pm | JILA auditorium | Quantum bootcamp (details TBD) |
| 1:00–4:00 pm | NIST (gather at 12:30 pm by Engineering Center) | Lab tour: "Variety of NIST Quantum Hardware"
|
| 5:00–6:15 pm | ECCS 201 | Advanced lecture "Understanding and Generalizing Quantum Phase Estimation" by Nicholas Papadopoulos, PhD candidate in Computer Science Abstract: Quantum phase estimation (QPE) is a fundamental building block of quantum algorithms, with applications ranging from quantum sensing to integer factorization. This lecture begins with an introduction to quantum oracles, followed by an intuitive explanation of QPE that emphasizes how quantum phases are progressively extracted through interference and measurement. Finally, Reductive Quantum Phase Estimation (RQPE) is introduced as a generalization that unifies conventional QPE and Ramsey interferometry, enabling customized phase estimation circuits that balance precision, distinguishability, and computational resources. |
Friday, November 6
Day 2 · Quantum panel
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 am–12:00 pm | JILA auditorium | Quantum panel: "From Possibility to Practice: What Will Make Quantum Computing Useful?" Panelists:
|
| 12:00–1:00 pm | Duane Tower F1117 | Networking lunch with the speakers |
| 3:00 pm | 5555 Central Avenue, Boulder CO 80301 | Colorado Quantum Incubator (COQI) tour The Colorado Quantum Incubator (COQI) serves as a launch pad supporting the state's quantum ecosystem, quantum startups, providing access to advanced scientific equipment, and offering testbeds for quantum innovation. COQI also acts as an international landing zone, helping global quantum companies establish a presence in Colorado. Together, this work accelerates research into real-world applications, fosters economic development, creates quantum-related jobs, and keeps Colorado as a global leader in quantum technology. During this tour, attendees will have a chance to see the facility and talk with members about their lab-to-market innovations. |
Saturday, November 7
Day 3 · Office hours
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00–9:00 pm | ECCS 201 | Office hours and collaboration space |
Sunday, November 8
Day 4 · Office hours
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 am–9:00 pm | ECCS 201 | Office hours and collaboration space |
Monday, November 9
Day 5 · Tours & CUbit seminar
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 am–12:00 pm | NIST (gather at 8:30 am by Engineering Center) | Lab tour: "From Theory to Implementation"
|
| 10:00 am–12:00 pm | ECEE | ECEE Lab tours |
| 1:00–3:00 pm | JILA | JILA Lab tours |
Tuesday, November 10
Day 6 · Submission deadline
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 pm | — | Hackathon submission deadline |
| 2:00 pm | TBD | Elevate Quantum Tour |
Wednesday, November 11
Day 7 · Closing ceremony
| Time | Room | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00–7:00 pm | UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom | Closing ceremony |