Norwich Science Festival 2026

Presented by The Forum with Principal Partner University of East Anglia, the milestone 10^th anniversary edition of Norwich Science Festival (NSF) showcased our fine city’s scientific excellence with a packed programme of 290+ workshops, shows and fascinating talks. 

A city-wide celebration of STEMM, we welcomed record audiences, with over 90,000 visits from 14–21 February 2026.

Our 2026 Festival introduced new formats and expanded partnerships, inviting visitors of all ages to explore bold ideas for a greener, fairer future. From health and the human body to sustainable living and space travel, our programme shone a spotlight on science that empowers change.

A city of science

Working with 58 Festival partners, across 20 venues, our 2026 programme offered everything from hands-on experiences to show-stopping performances and in-depth science talks.

Joining the line-up were adventurer Aldo Kane, BAFTA-winning presenter and YouTuber Maddie Moate, chemist and Great British Bake-Off Finalist Dr Josh Smalley, earth scientist Anjana Khatwa, and evolutionary biologist and Festival Patron Prof Ben Garrod.

A survey of our audiences told us the Festival made a real impact: 93% felt motivated, with 35% keen to explore subjects further. Notably, 32% hadn’t attended a science event in the past two years - yet 97% enjoyed their visit and 81% plan to return to Norwich Science Festival.

Accessibility remained central to the Festival in 2026, with 35% of events completely free – an offering within the programme that is heavily supported by the University of East Anglia.

New for our milestone year was the Atom Stage - an outdoor performance space hosting free daily shows. Audiences enjoyed everything from big experiments and dinosaurs to the science of taste, bubbles and real-life rescue stories, bringing science to life for all ages.

At the heart of the Festival, The Explorium once again transformed The Forum’s Atrium into a free, hands-on STEMM hub. Across eight days, it welcomed 77,412 visits to meet 103 exhibitors, explore the Microbe Zoo, visit the Festival Bookshop and discover something new.

Building on previous years, we also toured a brand-new schools’ production as part of our Learning Programme. The Great Science Time Tour reached 8,400 pupils across 38 primary and SEND schools in Norfolk. Developed with actor Tom Butterworth and director Bob Percy, the play invited children to explore the lives of influential scientists and imagine how they might shape the future themselves.

Thanks to generous support from the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm via the Norfolk Community Foundation, the John Jarrold Trust, The R C Snelling Trust, and The Paul Bassham Charitable Trust, the tour was delivered free to schools before concluding its run at the Festival as part of our free family programme.

We continued to prioritise accessibility through free Essential Companion tickets, a reinstated Quiet Hour in the Explorium, and the introduction of the Sunflower Snug - a calm, welcoming space for visitors to take a break and enjoy the Festival at their own pace.

Rewatch the highlights

Powerful Partnerships

Presented by The Forum, Norwich Science Festival is a true team effort, made possible through the support of our Principal Partner, University of East Anglia, alongside a network of venues, organisations and businesses across Norwich and Norfolk.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who supports the Festival, including our partners, sponsors and funders - and, of course, our brilliant audiences.

It’s this generous support that enables us to continue delivering free and low-cost events across Norwich and Norfolk, bringing people together through inspiring experiences with science at the very heart.