The Festival of Tomorrow 2026 public programme opened today with more events, for more people, in more venues than ever before. Originally a two-day event when it started in 2020, this year’s festival takes place over nearly two weeks, starting with evening events at the Science and Innovation Park this week and ending with their family favourite Festival Finale at the Deanery in Wichelstowe on Friday and Saturday at the end of the February half-term break.
This year, the festival asks us to imagine Living in the Future, from robotics in your home to the food on your plate, and from astronauts travelling further than ever before, to exploring the workings of your own mind.
The popular event brings together artists, performers, researchers, universities and organisations from across the UK for a programme of spectacular shows, immersive art, hands-on workshops and FREE drop-in activities for all ages, thanks to the support of partners including Arts Councils England, Business West and UK Research and Innovation.
With over 150 events and activities around Swindon, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE SCIENCE AND INNOVATION PARK’S HAWKING BUILDING
Audiences will get special access to the Hawking Building at the Science Museum Group’s Science and Innovation Park at Wroughton, near Swindon. The series of four evening events, aimed at adults and older teenagers, will not only feature talks and panels of experts from different fields, but will also include live links to contributors from around the UK giving visitors behind the scenes access to working laboratories, as well as after-hours into the Science Museum in London.
Photographed 3rd October 2024.
Early bookers will have the option to book onto four different specially curated tours of areas of the museum collections linked to each topic, as well as objects previously owned by Stephen Hawking, himself. And the events will go beyond Swindon, being streamed live online
FREE HALF-TERM FUN AROUND TOWN
Unmissable immersive experiences at Steam Museum 14 – 21 February
Step inside the workings of the human brain, with three dazzling installations at Steam Museum.
Embark on a journey inside of the mind with Network by artist Gemma Wood. Explore three giant illuminated inflatable neurons, listen to the internal chatter soundscape and watch the messages impulse and travel through the network of neurons in a beautiful array of rainbow colours.
Immerse yourself in State of Mind, an entrancing walkthrough audiovisual experience developed by creative studio Squid Soup to playfully explore the effects of today’s digitised world on the workings of our brains.
The Happiness Sum asks important questions about what makes us happy… and by how much? Have fun finding out how your favourite things compare!
These must-see experiences are part of a whole week of FREE shows, creative activities, challenges, workshops and exhibits at Steam to keep everyone entertained throughout the half-term.
Don’t miss the chance to smell, touch and taste clouds as Dr Sarah Bearchell returns with her wonderful Cloud Factory. Find out how spacesuits keep you alive and how to avoid disasters and toileting errors as you Journey to the Stars, or get ready for bubbles of all sizes, shapes and colours in Bubble Superstars.
Make your own brainwave-inspired wearable art, contribute a line to a communal Chain of Thought poem, join an interactive story workshop for budding young writer with award-winning local children’s author Kate Claxton.
Other highlights include the chance to discover the science of circus through aerial skills and hands-on activities, become a nature detective at the Owl-some Pellet Discovery Lab, or join in with fun challenges that will have the whole family thinking like engineers.
Explore your senses at Swindon Designer Outlet – Saturday 14 – Saturday 21 February
Test yourself against some of nature’s weird and wonderful animal abilities with a free family-friendly Super Senses Trail around the centre.
Look out for Unfit For Vision – A Journey Beyond Visible Light, an intriguing interactive art/science exhibit developed specially for the Festival. Explore how wavelengths beyond human sight are used to reshape our understanding of bodies, environments, and technologies and have a go at making your own infrared artwork.
Discover how our bodies can make music, shape space, and connect with others with Pulse – a fun experimental playable project by Neon Dance and technologist Hemma Philamore of Bristol Robotics Lab.
Venture into The Sound Garden – a super fun musical playground filled with colourful, musical sculptures made from recycled objects.
More free activities around town
Shoppers at The Brunel will also be able to join in with an exciting lineup of free drop-in fun, with different hands-on activities on offer each day between Monday 16 – Friday 20 February.
Test your skills with a bridge-building challenge, get creative and design new technologies for a mission to the moon, learn about awesome UK insects and collage your own insect illustration, look out for the Noise Technicians who will show you how to rock a bass riff on a distorted rubber band, or strum a beautiful melody on an egg slicer, or make your own ooey-goeey pot of slime to take home.
Meanwhile, the historic Carriage Works will host a vibrant exhibition of artworks by local artists of all ages and experience, responding to the Festival’s Living in the Future theme. Visitors will have the chance to get creative with free workshops and drop-in arts and craft activities.
EVENING ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS AND TEENS
Comedy lovers won’t want to miss an evening of science-inspired laughs organised by Old Town Comedy Club on Wednesday 18 February, headlined by Robin Ince.
Meanwhile Swindon Wordsmiths- Poetry and Comedy Night on Saturday 21 February brings together witty stand-up and thought-provoking spoken word with headline performances from genius jokesters, Iszi Lawrence and Andy Kind, plus word nerd, Dan Simpson.
Or join Mission Astro and Nova Stargazing for an unmissable Star Hop astronomy evening at Lydiard Park Hotel on Friday 20 February.
THE FESTIVAL FINALE – THE DEANERY CE ACADEMY, PEGLARS WAY, WICHELSTOWE – FRIDAY 20 & SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY
Explore five FREE Discovery Zones packed with intriguing interactive exhibits bringing the latest research and innovation to life. With free live demonstrations, creative activities and fun challenges from organisations including the James Dyson Foundation, Catalent, UKRI and many leading universities, there’s always so much to see and do. Be sure to allow plenty of time for your visit!
Discover cutting-edge science through hands-on activities featured at the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition in London, meet the organisations who are helping to care for our environment, get up close and personal with the tech that is shaping our future, or explore the universe with an immersive planetarium show.
And if that’s not enough excitement the spectacular line-up of family shows is sure to get you fired up! What’s more, show tickets are free for under 18s (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult ticketholder).
The Rocket Show
Festival favourites, Wonderstruck are back with a spectacular show which looks at the history and science of rockets from the discovery of black powder to the most recent exploits of SpaceX and others. Expect to see a full size, working rocket car, a working hybrid rocket motor, a working jet engine and a very large fireball!
Sealife Superheros
Go on an adventure around the world to meet SUPER sea creatures – and borrow their powers! You will get to decide which of the amazing adaptations we borrow to help fight against a supervillain and help save our seas! Packed with eye-popping props, tons of fun facts, experiments, audience participation and lots of laughter!
Wonders of The Human Body
Join Dr Jo for a fun and interactive show as we journey around the human body. Explore oddities relating to our vision and hearing, glimpse how our brains work, consider how we can trick our senses, and investigate some weird and wonderful things about our muscles.
Chemistry Lab Adventure
Devon Science brings the intriguing world of chemistry to life with this exciting interactive show which includes plenty of audience participation and live experiments. Brace yourself for vigorous reactions – including the Elephant’s Toothpaste!
Ghosts in the Machine
Ghost hunting and science on the same billing! Discover how ghost hunters use technology to find spooks, and how that tech really works. Even if the camera never lies, how are both we AND technology bamboozled by natural things? This IS a family show, so don’t panic. There are no chances of us encountering a real ghost… hopefully.
Explosive Food
See food in a whole new light in this show packed with exciting demonstrations. From fountains of fizzy coke to some rather gross demonstrations of what goes on in your digestive system, this demo-packed show from the Royal Institution is sure to delight and disgust in equal measure.
Am I Normal?
What do you think is normal? Does ‘normal’ exist? In this fun, interactive show, we dive into statistics, genetics, evolution and brain plasticity as we discover what makes you you, and why each of us is truly unique. Packed with demos and experiments, including creating our own brain art, this show explores the concept of neurodiversity and the strengths we can all bring to society.
Festivalgoers are urged to book now to secure their spots on ticketed shows and events, as many sessions are quickly filling up.
To be first in line for tickets and the latest Festival announcements, sign up for email updates at www.festivaloftomorrow.com and follow @festivaloftomorrow on Facebook and Instagram.
Entertainment Swindon 
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