Jeff Mach Events, Piscataway Township

Of all the sci-fi subgenres, steampunk may be the most tactile. Metal parts are welded together into DIY weapons and vehicles, dresses are stained with soot and grease, and exposed gears allow movement in prosthetic appendages. It's no wonder then that fans are eager to bring the genre's machines and fashion to life in fairs and conventions all over the world. Perhaps the largest of those is The Steampunk World's Fair in Boxborough. The all-ages event brings together artists, authors, craftspeople, vendors, and fans to explore the newest and most unique steampunk creations.

This year, the fair is teaming up with Warmer Winters, a Massachusetts-based charity that provided warm clothes for the homeless.