Give the gift of science this Christmas

Still searching for the perfect Christmas gift? Why not give your loved ones an experience they’ll remember all year long with tickets to Norwich Science Festival! 

Whether they’re budding scientists, young explorers, or adults with a passion for STEM, our action-packed programme has something for everyone. From spectacular shows to fascinating talks, it’s the ultimate gift for anyone who loves to explore the world of science. 

And the best part? All tickets are sent instantly via email, so you can book right up until Christmas Day – perfect for those last-minute presents!  

Here are a few of our top gifting recommendations...

Unique gifts for the kids

Do you have a little one in your life who loves animals? Discover jaw-dropping animal facts as the tiniest critters go up against the world’s mightiest beasts in Animal Top Trumps.

Are they interested in history? Take an extraordinary adventure through millions of years of human history – for kids! Meet kings and queens, pharaohs and vikings, and see just how far and wide humans have migrated around the world.

If your aspiring astronaut is obsessed with all things astronomy and outer space, treat them to a truly unique tour of the solar system. Join Norwich Science Festival patron Jon Chase for a trip through the galaxy with fun, science-based raps!

A treat for the whole family

Perfect for nature lovers, join BAFTA-winning wildlife expert Steve Backshall for an unforgettable journey through the wild! Steve will be sharing some of his incredible career stories, and diving into his new memoir Deep Blue, in this inspiring event. 

Or how about a 3D journey through the wild world of the planet’s biggest animals – from towering dinosaurs to ancient sharks. 

Explore the fascinating world of synaesthesia in this Alice in Wonderland-themed show. The whole family can get involved as you learn more about your senses, and take part in a real psychology experiment!

For the person who has everything

A hands-on lesson in fermentation with Rachel de Thample is sure to impress even the hardest-to-please on your list!

Treat someone special to a glittering night of dance with the legendary Dame Darcey Bussell. Joined by dance psychologist Dr. Dance himself, this is sure to be a Saturday night to remember!

Perfect for film buffs, join us for an evening at Cinema City and help rank the greatest sci-fi movies ever made! Bring your smartphone to play along and help decide which film deserves the top spot.

Top books for Christmas

If you’re still looking for an extra stocking filler, our team has hand-picked a list of our favourite STEM books - featuring Norwich Science Festival 2025 speakers, along with this year's must-read new releases!  

And if you are local to Norwich, be sure to swing by the brilliant Book Hive (one of our fantastic Festival partners), where you'll find books for every kind of reader.  

Top picks for little bookworms

Shortlisted for The Royal Society Young People's Book Prize, Where Are You Really From?, takes emerging readers through millions of years of human history to explain how - no matter where you live, the language you speak or the colour of your skin – we all share the same common ancestors. 

Festival patron Jess French’s The Animal Body is a beautifully illustrated hardback book, offering a fascinating guide to how animal bodies work, and the amazing things they can do. Animal lovers will also enjoy Jack-Jack, A Dog in Africa – the first in a brilliant fiction series from friend of the Festival Ben Garrod.  

The Science of Harry Potter is the ultimate bookish gift for fans of the wizarding world! Jon Chase has teamed up with other Muggle scientists to uncover the real science behind the much-loved book series.  

For young scientists keen to make their own magic, The Observologist is the ultimate field guide. With vibrant graphic novel-style illustrations, this unique book puts over a hundred bugs, creatures and creepy crawlies under the microscope in an irresistible encouragement to get out and explore the great outdoors! 

One for the youngest readers, All Bodies are Wonderful empowers little ones to be themselves and feel like they belong. From the atoms that made them to the things that bodies can do, it’s a beautiful book with a powerful message. 

Riveting reads for adults

More than a cookbook, Winter Wellness helps bring warmth to the coldest season! Packed with delicious recipes and eye-catching photography, Rachel de Thample offers a unique and thoughtful perspective on nourishing your body when it matters most.  

The perfect accompaniment to tickets to our headline Festival event, Steve Backshall’s Deep Blue is a love letter to our precious oceans. A blend of memoir, travel, and environmental science, it takes you on an unforgettable tour of marine life, and what we must do to save it. 

Winner of the 2024 Booker Prize, Orbital is a great gift choice for any reader – whether they’re science fiction fans or not! Set over the course of a single day in the lives of six astronauts and cosmonauts, it’s the first book set in space to win the prestigious award.  

Next up on the list is Jordan Ellenberg’s Shape: The Hidden Geometry of Absolutely Everything. An international bestseller, it’s a fascinating exploration of the geometry that underlies out world – from the spread of coronavirus to how computers learn to play chess. 

Finally, Night Sky Almanac 2025: A Stargazer’s Guide makes the perfect gift for anyone fascinated by the night sky. Written and illustrated by astronomical experts, it's a beautiful guide to 2025's celestial events - filled with monthly calendars, maps of the constellations and lunar charts.