Various locations across Edinburgh
Taking place across the city, Edinburgh Science Festival is renowned for hosting inspiring science activities alongside serious and provocative debates. With events for all the family, this a great opportunity to get actively involved in learning about all things science.
The theme for this year is Spaceship Earth and will explore the challenges of living on a planet with finite resources through the lenses of science fiction and space exploration, learning how to live like astronauts.
The festival takes place in around 30 venues across the city, including the City Art Centre, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Zoo, National Museum of Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and The University of Edinburgh.
Shows and Events
Take part in DiscoveryLand and explore five floors of interactive activities the whole family can enjoy – from arts and crafts and construction activities to learning about aerodynamics and green energy of the future.
For those crazy about space, the Spaceship Earth exhibition will let you explore what life would be like on the International Space Station and how astronauts live their day-to-day lives with limited resources. From water and air to food production and energy, see the current technology and future ideas that take inspiration from the space industry,
Entertain the whole family with their programme of science shows including Festival favourite The Rocket Show, Incredible Inventions with cartoonist Mike Barfield and two shows from Great British Bake-Off finalist Josh Smalley. There are many shows to choose from – you can help a bubbleographer make the ultimate bubble, follow one man step foot on the moon, learn about how AI can be used to make art, and even get transported to a magical world full of imaginative creatures.
Adult Events
Attend one of the many science nights out where you can celebrate science, conservation and space exploration.
Sip on craft beer while diving into conservation efforts at Conservation and Cans, meet an astronaut and explore the future of life on Earth at Spaceship Earth After Hours, and get hands-on with science at Science Festival Late. Plus, uncover the mysteries of the universe at An Evening of Cosmic Exploration.
Here some inspiring talk and discussion by science greats including Prof Richard Dawkins, NASA astronaut Kathy Sullivan, Great British Sewing Bee‘s Patrick Grant, sustainability expert Mike Berners-Lee and physicist Prof Claudia de Rham.
For more information on workshops, talks, events and more, download the full 2025 programme.
Running from 05 to 20 April 2025, find out more on Edinburgh Science Festival.
