diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
index 020e86206..62f311f4c 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
@@ -61,10 +61,11 @@ body:
       label: Python Version
       options:
         - "lower version (unsupported)"
-        - "3.8"
         - "3.9"
         - "3.10"
         - "3.11"
+        - "3.12"
+        - "3.13"
     validations:
       required: true
   - type: textarea
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_sphinx_links.yml b/.github/workflows/check_sphinx_links.yml
index 11003a19a..428c26482 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_sphinx_links.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_sphinx_links.yml
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Set up Python
         uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: '3.12'
+          python-version: '3.13'
 
       - name: Install Sphinx dependencies and package
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy_release.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy_release.yml
index 2f6cb8619..fff052fbf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy_release.yml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Set up Python
         uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: '3.12'
+          python-version: '3.13'
 
       - name: Install build dependencies
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/generate_test_files.yml b/.github/workflows/generate_test_files.yml
index 27848909b..5f36b0c0d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/generate_test_files.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/generate_test_files.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - { name: pynwb-1.5.1, pynwb-version: "1.5.1", python-version: "3.8"}
           - { name: pynwb-2.1.0, pynwb-version: "2.1.0", python-version: "3.9"}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
diff --git a/.github/workflows/run_all_tests.yml b/.github/workflows/run_all_tests.yml
index a1b1f75dd..e50fa44a7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/run_all_tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/run_all_tests.yml
@@ -22,31 +22,30 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - { name: linux-python3.8-minimum      , test-tox-env: py38-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py38-minimum    , python-ver: "3.8" , os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: linux-python3.9              , test-tox-env: py39            , build-tox-env: build-py39            , python-ver: "3.9" , os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: linux-python3.9-minimum      , test-tox-env: py39-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py39-minimum    , python-ver: "3.9" , os: ubuntu-latest }
           - { name: linux-python3.10             , test-tox-env: py310           , build-tox-env: build-py310           , python-ver: "3.10", os: ubuntu-latest }
           - { name: linux-python3.11             , test-tox-env: py311           , build-tox-env: build-py311           , python-ver: "3.11", os: ubuntu-latest }
           - { name: linux-python3.11-opt         , test-tox-env: py311-optional  , build-tox-env: build-py311           , python-ver: "3.11", os: ubuntu-latest }
           - { name: linux-python3.12             , test-tox-env: py312           , build-tox-env: build-py312           , python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: linux-python3.12-upgraded    , test-tox-env: py312-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py312-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: linux-python3.12-prerelease  , test-tox-env: py312-prerelease, build-tox-env: build-py312-prerelease, python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: windows-python3.8-minimum    , test-tox-env: py38-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py38-minimum    , python-ver: "3.8" , os: windows-latest }
-          - { name: windows-python3.9            , test-tox-env: py39            , build-tox-env: build-py39            , python-ver: "3.9" , os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: linux-python3.13             , test-tox-env: py313           , build-tox-env: build-py313           , python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: linux-python3.13-upgraded    , test-tox-env: py313-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py313-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: linux-python3.13-prerelease  , test-tox-env: py313-prerelease, build-tox-env: build-py313-prerelease, python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: windows-python3.9-minimum    , test-tox-env: py39-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py39-minimum    , python-ver: "3.9" , os: windows-latest }
           - { name: windows-python3.10           , test-tox-env: py310           , build-tox-env: build-py310           , python-ver: "3.10", os: windows-latest }
           - { name: windows-python3.11           , test-tox-env: py311           , build-tox-env: build-py311           , python-ver: "3.11", os: windows-latest }
           - { name: windows-python3.11-opt       , test-tox-env: py311-optional  , build-tox-env: build-py311           , python-ver: "3.11", os: windows-latest }
           - { name: windows-python3.12           , test-tox-env: py312           , build-tox-env: build-py312           , python-ver: "3.12", os: windows-latest }
-          - { name: windows-python3.12-upgraded  , test-tox-env: py312-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py312-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.12", os: windows-latest }
-          - { name: windows-python3.12-prerelease, test-tox-env: py312-prerelease, build-tox-env: build-py312-prerelease, python-ver: "3.11", os: windows-latest }
-          # minimum versions of dependencies do not have wheels or cannot be built on macos-arm64
-          - { name: macos-python3.8-minimum      , test-tox-env: py38-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py38-minimum    , python-ver: "3.8" , os: macos-13 }
-          - { name: macos-python3.9              , test-tox-env: py39            , build-tox-env: build-py39            , python-ver: "3.9" , os: macos-latest }
+          - { name: windows-python3.13           , test-tox-env: py313           , build-tox-env: build-py313           , python-ver: "3.13", os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: windows-python3.13-upgraded  , test-tox-env: py313-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py313-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.13", os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: windows-python3.13-prerelease, test-tox-env: py313-prerelease, build-tox-env: build-py313-prerelease, python-ver: "3.13", os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: macos-python3.9-minimum      , test-tox-env: py39-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py39-minimum    , python-ver: "3.9" , os: macos-latest }
           - { name: macos-python3.10             , test-tox-env: py310           , build-tox-env: build-py310           , python-ver: "3.10", os: macos-latest }
           - { name: macos-python3.11             , test-tox-env: py311           , build-tox-env: build-py311           , python-ver: "3.11", os: macos-latest }
           - { name: macos-python3.11-opt         , test-tox-env: py311-optional  , build-tox-env: build-py311           , python-ver: "3.11", os: macos-latest }
           - { name: macos-python3.12             , test-tox-env: py312           , build-tox-env: build-py312           , python-ver: "3.12", os: macos-latest }
-          - { name: macos-python3.12-upgraded    , test-tox-env: py312-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py312-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.12", os: macos-latest }
-          - { name: macos-python3.12-prerelease  , test-tox-env: py312-prerelease, build-tox-env: build-py312-prerelease, python-ver: "3.12", os: macos-latest }
+          - { name: macos-python3.13             , test-tox-env: py313           , build-tox-env: build-py313           , python-ver: "3.13", os: macos-latest }
+          - { name: macos-python3.13-upgraded    , test-tox-env: py313-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py313-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.13", os: macos-latest }
+          - { name: macos-python3.13-prerelease  , test-tox-env: py313-prerelease, build-tox-env: build-py313-prerelease, python-ver: "3.13", os: macos-latest }
     steps:
       - name: Cancel non-latest runs
         uses: styfle/cancel-workflow-action@0.11.0
@@ -93,16 +92,15 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - { name: linux-gallery-python3.8-minimum      , test-tox-env: gallery-py38-minimum    , python-ver: "3.8" , os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: linux-gallery-python3.12-upgraded    , test-tox-env: gallery-py312-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: linux-gallery-python3.12-prerelease  , test-tox-env: gallery-py312-prerelease, python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: windows-gallery-python3.8-minimum    , test-tox-env: gallery-py38-minimum    , python-ver: "3.8" , os: windows-latest }
-          - { name: windows-gallery-python3.12-upgraded  , test-tox-env: gallery-py312-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.12", os: windows-latest }
-          - { name: windows-gallery-python3.12-prerelease, test-tox-env: gallery-py312-prerelease, python-ver: "3.12", os: windows-latest }
-          # minimum versions of dependencies do not have wheels or cannot be built on macos-arm64
-          - { name: macos-gallery-python3.8-minimum      , test-tox-env: gallery-py38-minimum    , python-ver: "3.8" , os: macos-13 }
-          - { name: macos-gallery-python3.12-upgraded    , test-tox-env: gallery-py312-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.12", os: macos-latest }
-          - { name: macos-gallery-python3.12-prerelease  , test-tox-env: gallery-py312-prerelease, python-ver: "3.12", os: macos-latest }
+          - { name: linux-gallery-python3.9-minimum      , test-tox-env: gallery-py39-minimum    , python-ver: "3.9" , os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: linux-gallery-python3.13-upgraded    , test-tox-env: gallery-py313-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: linux-gallery-python3.13-prerelease  , test-tox-env: gallery-py313-prerelease, python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: windows-gallery-python3.9-minimum    , test-tox-env: gallery-py38-minimum    , python-ver: "3.9" , os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: windows-gallery-python3.13-upgraded  , test-tox-env: gallery-py313-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.13", os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: windows-gallery-python3.13-prerelease, test-tox-env: gallery-py313-prerelease, python-ver: "3.13", os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: macos-gallery-python3.9-minimum      , test-tox-env: gallery-py38-minimum    , python-ver: "3.9" , os: macos-latest }
+          - { name: macos-gallery-python3.13-upgraded    , test-tox-env: gallery-py313-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.13", os: macos-latest }
+          - { name: macos-gallery-python3.13-prerelease  , test-tox-env: gallery-py313-prerelease, python-ver: "3.13", os: macos-latest }
     steps:
       - name: Cancel non-latest runs
         uses: styfle/cancel-workflow-action@0.11.0
@@ -140,13 +138,13 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - { name: conda-linux-python3.8-minimum    , test-tox-env: py38-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py38-minimum    , python-ver: "3.8" , os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: conda-linux-python3.9            , test-tox-env: py39            , build-tox-env: build-py39            , python-ver: "3.9" , os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: conda-linux-python3.9-minimum    , test-tox-env: py39-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py39-minimum    , python-ver: "3.9" , os: ubuntu-latest }
           - { name: conda-linux-python3.10           , test-tox-env: py310           , build-tox-env: build-py310           , python-ver: "3.10", os: ubuntu-latest }
           - { name: conda-linux-python3.11           , test-tox-env: py311           , build-tox-env: build-py311           , python-ver: "3.11", os: ubuntu-latest }
           - { name: conda-linux-python3.12           , test-tox-env: py312           , build-tox-env: build-py312           , python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: conda-linux-python3.12-upgraded  , test-tox-env: py312-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py312-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: conda-linux-python3.12-prerelease, test-tox-env: py312-prerelease, build-tox-env: build-py312-prerelease, python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: conda-linux-python3.13           , test-tox-env: py313           , build-tox-env: build-py313           , python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: conda-linux-python3.13-upgraded  , test-tox-env: py313-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py313-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: conda-linux-python3.13-prerelease, test-tox-env: py313-prerelease, build-tox-env: build-py313-prerelease, python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
     steps:
       - name: Cancel non-latest runs
         uses: styfle/cancel-workflow-action@0.11.0
@@ -201,9 +199,9 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - { name: conda-linux-python3.12-ros3  , python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: conda-windows-python3.12-ros3, python-ver: "3.12", os: windows-latest }
-          - { name: conda-macos-python3.12-ros3  , python-ver: "3.12", os: macos-latest }
+          - { name: conda-linux-python3.13-ros3  , python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: conda-windows-python3.13-ros3, python-ver: "3.13", os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: conda-macos-python3.13-ros3  , python-ver: "3.13", os: macos-latest }
     steps:
       - name: Cancel non-latest runs
         uses: styfle/cancel-workflow-action@0.11.0
@@ -248,9 +246,9 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - { name: conda-linux-gallery-python3.12-ros3  , python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: conda-windows-gallery-python3.12-ros3, python-ver: "3.12", os: windows-latest }
-          - { name: conda-macos-gallery-python3.12-ros3  , python-ver: "3.12", os: macos-latest }
+          - { name: conda-linux-gallery-python3.13-ros3  , python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: conda-windows-gallery-python3.13-ros3, python-ver: "3.13", os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: conda-macos-gallery-python3.13-ros3  , python-ver: "3.13", os: macos-latest }
     steps:
       - name: Cancel non-latest runs
         uses: styfle/cancel-workflow-action@0.11.0
diff --git a/.github/workflows/run_coverage.yml b/.github/workflows/run_coverage.yml
index ec42694d8..da74ef08c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/run_coverage.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/run_coverage.yml
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ jobs:
           - { os: macos-latest  , opt_req: false }
     env:
       OS: ${{ matrix.os }}
-      PYTHON: '3.12'
+      PYTHON: '3.13'
     steps:
       - name: Cancel non-latest runs
         uses: styfle/cancel-workflow-action@0.11.0
diff --git a/.github/workflows/run_dandi_read_tests.yml b/.github/workflows/run_dandi_read_tests.yml
index cdde371c6..f4b27cbd8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/run_dandi_read_tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/run_dandi_read_tests.yml
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Set up Python
         uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: '3.12'
+          python-version: '3.13'
 
       - name: Install run dependencies
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/run_inspector_tests.yml b/.github/workflows/run_inspector_tests.yml
index ece4e000c..b1c2d0f78 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/run_inspector_tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/run_inspector_tests.yml
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Set up Python
         uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: '3.12'
+          python-version: '3.13'
 
       - name: Update pip
         run: python -m pip install --upgrade pip
diff --git a/.github/workflows/run_tests.yml b/.github/workflows/run_tests.yml
index e365d78cf..5623c4360 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/run_tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/run_tests.yml
@@ -19,13 +19,12 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - { name: linux-python3.8-minimum      , test-tox-env: py38-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py38-minimum   , python-ver: "3.8" , os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: linux-python3.9-minimum      , test-tox-env: py39-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py39-minimum   , python-ver: "3.9" , os: ubuntu-latest }
           # NOTE config below with "upload-wheels: true" specifies that wheels should be uploaded as an artifact
-          - { name: linux-python3.12-upgraded    , test-tox-env: py312-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py312-upgraded , python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest , upload-wheels: true }
-          - { name: windows-python3.8-minimum    , test-tox-env: py38-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py38-minimum   , python-ver: "3.8" , os: windows-latest }
-          - { name: windows-python3.12-upgraded  , test-tox-env: py312-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py312-upgraded , python-ver: "3.12", os: windows-latest }
-          # minimum versions of dependencies do not have wheels or cannot be built on macos-arm64
-          - { name: macos-python3.8-minimum      , test-tox-env: py38-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py38-minimum   , python-ver: "3.8" , os: macos-13 }
+          - { name: linux-python3.13-upgraded    , test-tox-env: py313-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py313-upgraded , python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest , upload-wheels: true }
+          - { name: windows-python3.9-minimum    , test-tox-env: py39-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py39-minimum   , python-ver: "3.9" , os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: windows-python3.13-upgraded  , test-tox-env: py313-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py313-upgraded , python-ver: "3.13", os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: macos-python3.9-minimum      , test-tox-env: py39-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py39-minimum   , python-ver: "3.9" , os: macos-latest }
     steps:
       - name: Cancel non-latest runs
         uses: styfle/cancel-workflow-action@0.11.0
@@ -79,10 +78,10 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - { name: linux-gallery-python3.8-minimum    , test-tox-env: gallery-py38-minimum  , python-ver: "3.8" , os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: linux-gallery-python3.12-upgraded  , test-tox-env: gallery-py312-upgraded, python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: windows-gallery-python3.8-minimum  , test-tox-env: gallery-py38-minimum  , python-ver: "3.8" , os: windows-latest }
-          - { name: windows-gallery-python3.12-upgraded, test-tox-env: gallery-py312-upgraded, python-ver: "3.12", os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: linux-gallery-python3.9-minimum    , test-tox-env: gallery-py39-minimum  , python-ver: "3.9" , os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: linux-gallery-python3.13-upgraded  , test-tox-env: gallery-py313-upgraded, python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: windows-gallery-python3.9-minimum  , test-tox-env: gallery-py39-minimum  , python-ver: "3.9" , os: windows-latest }
+          - { name: windows-gallery-python3.13-upgraded, test-tox-env: gallery-py313-upgraded, python-ver: "3.13", os: windows-latest }
     steps:
       - name: Cancel non-latest runs
         uses: styfle/cancel-workflow-action@0.11.0
@@ -120,8 +119,8 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - { name: conda-linux-python3.8-minimum    , test-tox-env: py38-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py38-minimum    , python-ver: "3.8" , os: ubuntu-latest }
-          - { name: conda-linux-python3.12-upgraded  , test-tox-env: py312-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py312-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: conda-linux-python3.9-minimum    , test-tox-env: py39-minimum    , build-tox-env: build-py39-minimum    , python-ver: "3.9" , os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: conda-linux-python3.13-upgraded  , test-tox-env: py313-upgraded  , build-tox-env: build-py313-upgraded  , python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
     steps:
       - name: Cancel non-latest runs
         uses: styfle/cancel-workflow-action@0.11.0
@@ -175,7 +174,7 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - { name: conda-linux-python3.12-ros3  , python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: conda-linux-python3.13-ros3  , python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
     steps:
       - name: Cancel non-latest runs
         uses: styfle/cancel-workflow-action@0.11.0
@@ -220,7 +219,7 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - { name: conda-linux-gallery-python3.12-ros3  , python-ver: "3.12", os: ubuntu-latest }
+          - { name: conda-linux-gallery-python3.13-ros3  , python-ver: "3.13", os: ubuntu-latest }
     steps:
       - name: Cancel non-latest runs
         uses: styfle/cancel-workflow-action@0.11.0
@@ -280,7 +279,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Set up Python
         uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: '3.12'
+          python-version: '3.13'
 
       - name: Download wheel and source distributions from artifact
         uses: actions/download-artifact@v4