Your guide to The Explorium at The Forum

We are so close to opening the doors to Norwich Science Festival for our epic 10th-anniversary year!

Taking over every corner of the city from Saturday 14–Saturday 21 February 2026, our celebration of science features eight days of hands-on experiences, inspiring talks and jaw-dropping shows.

Of course, no trip to Norwich Science Festival is complete without a visit to The Explorium! With just over a week to go, we wanted to bring you a helpful guide to everything happening at the very heart of the Festival!

Plan your visit

Located inside The Forum, The Explorium is open every day of the Festival, from Saturday 14–Saturday 21 February, 10.30am–4pm.

It's completely free to explore and open to visitors of all ages. They'll be new activities and changing exhibitors to discover each day as we invite everyone to come and get stuck into some hands-on science!

Quiet Hour at The Explorium

This year, the Quiet Hour in The Explorium returns! Running from 9.30am–10.30am, this earlier opening offers a controlled, lower-capacity experience for those who may benefit from a calmer start to the day.

Tickets can be pre-booked in advance, with a small number also available on the door.

Exhibitors & Activities

With a changing line-up of exhibitors and activities on offer every day, there's always something new to discover in The Explorium!

Get hands-on with incredible research happening right here in Norwich with our partners University of East Anglia, have a go at beekeeping and even take to the skies in VR flight simulator!

You can find a list of what free activities are taking place each day through our online What's On event calendar. Make sure you don't miss:

The Wired Nest – join artists from The Nest Project CIC to help build a growing nest! Use recycled wires and natural materials to create this interactive artwork inspired by nature and sustainability. (Sat 14 Feb–Sat 21 Feb)

Splat Anatomy - this life sized anatomical game requires a steady hand and nerves of steel! (Sat 14 Feb)

Caroline Hyde-Brown - discover the fascinating science behind black ink made from oak trees and gall wasps! Join Textile Artist Caroline Hyde-Brown to explore the history and creation of this unique, long-lasting ink. (Sun 15 Feb)

Crab Museum - meet the team behind Europe’s first and only museum dedicated to the world of the decapod! Enjoy microscopy sessions and claw-some crab chat throughout the day. (Mon 16 Feb)

East Anglian Air Ambulance - join the crew outside The Forum on Upper Millennium Plain. Explore their immersive pods and join an air ambulance mission! (Tue 17 & Wed 18 Feb)

Mini Monsters - come and meet a selection of minibeasts, reptiles and invertebrates and discover fascinating facts about these amazing animals. (Wed 18 & Sat 21 Feb)

Natural England x UEA - discover the wonders of Norfolk's oceans with the Chalk Reef Search. Explore fascinating creatures, solve riddles and spin the wheel to test you ocean knowledge. (Fri 20 Feb)

Visit the Festival Bookshop

We're delighted to welcome back local indie legends, The Book Hive for another year! The team will be bringing our popular Festival Bookshop back to The Forum, located on the right-hand side as you enter The Explorium.

Our only official Festival book partner, here you'll find riveting reads for kids and grown-ups too, with a selection from our fantastic 2026 speakers.

For any events with book signings, The Book Hive team will be on-site at the event with books available for purchase.

Don't miss The Atom Stage!

Brand new for this year, don't miss free performances and shows on The Atom Stage! (Sat 14 Feb–Sat 21 Feb, 10.15am, 12pm and 3.45pm). Wrap up warm and head outside The Forum to see science in action - with outdoor family shows, live science experiments and free performances every day of the Festival.

You can see the full line-up of performances, featuring Margate's one and only Crab Museum, The Science Dude, Dinomania and more, by clicking the event link below.

Take a trip to the Microbe Zoo

Presented by the Centre for Microbial Interactions and The SAW Trust, head to The Gallery inside The Forum to visit the Microbe Zoo!

You'll shrink down into the fascinating world of microbes as a team of ‘zookeepers’ from Norwich Research Park guide you through the different habitats, helping you discover what these tiny creatures do - and how they keep plants, people and our planet healthy.

Sunflower Snug

Also new for 2026, the Sunflower Snug is our calm, welcoming space for anyone who needs a quiet moment during Norwich Science Festival.

Open daily from 10am throughout the Festival (10.30am on Sundays), you’ll find the Snug on the top floor of the Millennium Library at The Forum. It’s staffed by friendly team members and offers a range of hands-on, sensory activities for all ages. You can also borrow ear defenders and fidget toys to use while exploring the Festival.

Activities change each day, so be sure to check the printed event calendar at the Info Desk inside The Forum or at the Sunflower Snug itself during the Festival for the latest details.

Stop by the Info Desk

Our friendly Festival team and volunteers are always on hand to help! If you need any assistance or have any questions during your visit, stop by the Information Desk in The Explorium and chat with a member of our team.

The Information Desk is open in line with The Explorium hours, Sat 14–Sat 21 Feb, 10.30am–4pm. You can also pick up a brochure, find out what's on and make any last-minute event bookings here too!

The Great Science Time Tour

Get ready to meet inspirational scientists who changed the world in our free, family-friendly play - The Great Science Time Tour! Performing daily throughout the Festival, this fun, time-twisting adventure is one the whole family will enjoy.

It’s free to book in advance, but be quick! A small number of tickets will also be available to pick up each day from The Explorium Info Desk.

Einstein's Norfolk Hut

Step back in time and uncover an extraordinary chapter of local history at The Book Hive’s Festival Bookshop exhibition, Einstein's Norfolk Hut (Thu 19–Sat 21 Feb).

A celebration of Einstein's unexpected connection to Norfolk, the exhibition also features performances from 'Einstein' himself, taking place outside The Forum, at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

Find out more below!

A huge thank you must go to this year's sponsors for helping bring The Explorium to life!

If you have any questions about bookings or need help with your visit, our Plan Your Visit page below has FAQs, accessibility information and helpful travel tips!

We'll see you next week!