Giving science fans a chance to have their minds blown by bestselling authors, activists, scientists and even a real-life astronaut, Cheltenham Science Festival is back from Tuesday 3 to Sunday 8 June 2025.
With the festival village taking over Imperial Gardens and over 114 events on the programme, whether you're interested in the latest developments in AI, the truth behind Hollywood weight loss drugs, or how politicians like Donald Trump affect the world of science, there's bound to be something that sparks your curiousity.
Highlights include famous physicist Professor Brian Cox discussing the next big questions in physics; crime scene investigator and star of Forensics: The Real CSI, Jo Ward, giving audiences a glimpse into her most groundbreaking cases; and astronaut Tim Peake joining Claudia Hammond for a live recording of BBC Radio 4 show All In The Mind.
Neurophysiologist Simon Cork and GP Graham Easton reveal the risks of 'cure-for-all' drugs like Ozempic; and author Adam Kucharski, journalist Akshat Rathi and activist Daze Aghaji discuss what Donald Trump’s second term means for science.
Visitors can even discover the science of cheese rolling with cheese-chasing champion Chris Anderson and elite performance psychologist Odette Hornby.
Little scientists won't want to miss TikTok star, Big Manny, performing amazing experiments on stage as part of Cheltenham Science Festival's dedicated family programme.
The festival is also hosting the Cheltechne summit once again, bringing senior academics, government services and professionals together to focus on women in STEM.
This year's guest curators are CBeebies star and wildlife conservationist Chantelle Lindsay; physicist, oceanographer and television presenter Helen Czerski; and former professional footballer turned theoretical physicist Mark Langtry.
There are three free interactive zones, The Arcade, MakerShack and The Discover Zone, to explore at the festival village — and new for 2025, Jetstream is a brand-new stage with its own series of free events.
This six-day celebration of science takes place during Cheltenham Festivals' 80th year and features the 'Be the Change' theme for the fifth and final time. There are more big milestones to celebrate, too, with FameLab turning 20 in 2025 and its schools counterpart FameLab Academy turning 10.
The festival is also celebrating the achievements of the 20 Young Changemakers it has worked with over the last five years, with climate justice activist Daze Aghaji, activitst and writer Charli Clement, Dark Sky Defender award winner Dani Robertson, cybersecurity expert Sophia McCall and mental health campaigner Sophia Kaur Badhan all speaking this year.
Tickets for Cheltenham Science Festival are on general sale from Wednesday 23 April 2025.
For more information, or to book tickets, visit cheltenhamfestivals.org.
