The 2026 Edinburgh Science Festival will take place in the capital during the Easter school holidays, between 4 and 19 April.
Some of the programme has already been announced and includes: First British astronaut Helen Sharman sharing her unique experience from the historic mission in 1991 aboard the Mir space station in conversation with Earth scientist and former BBC presenter Dr Hermione Cockburn and wildlife TV presenter and author Hamza Yassin – known to wider audiences for his Strictly Come Dancing win in 2022 – is in conversation with science presenter Siân Bevan, sharing stories of unique experiences and adventures as a wildlife cameraman (both on 12 April).
Science Festival Favourites will take place this year at The National Museum of Scotland and will include Dig Up a Dino, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Splat-tastic!, Mini-Medics: The Body Show, The Rocket Show and free to access, drop-in Tech Decoded – which could be the perfect family outing, getting young sci-curious minds hands on with science.
Children can Dig Up a Dinosaur (ages 5+) in a special dig site and discover all about the creatures which ruled the Earth millions of years ago, become a forensic scientist in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (8+), help solve a crime and catch the perpetrator or get their goo on in Splat-tastic! (5+), be creative with chemistry and make their very own slime to take home.
Also part of Science Festival Favourites, the whole family can take part in Mini-Medics: The Body Show (7+), inviting everyone to scrub up, don their masks and join Doctor Watson and Nurse It-Better as they explore the human body and how to keep it healthy. The Rocket Show (7+) makes the rocket science fun and accessible as children explore forces, test materials and prepare for a launch of a rocket fit for space.
Tech Decoded, supported by the Association for Science and Discovery Centres and SeaByte, features free drop-in activities that allow families to explore technology from AI to coding. Visitors will learn how the internet works and have the chance to create their own electrical circuits.
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon chairs a panel First Women of Science, celebrating some of the breadth of knowledge and expertise among the female scientists working in Scotland today and in the past. This event officially opens the Festival on 2 April and also features Astronomer Royal for Scotland Prof Catherine Heymans and author of The Edinburgh Seven, Janey Jones.
Commissioned by Edinburgh Science, artist Dr Gayle Chong Kwan spent the last several months exploring the archives of various British museums, looking at science as a culturally embedded process shaped by social history, power and omission. The outcome of her research is The Great Instauration, large scale fantastical sculptures and prints taking over the Grand Gallery at the National Museum of Scotland.
An Exclusive Viewing of The Great Instauration will take place on 4 April while Artist Tour: Dr Gayle Chong Kwan on 17 April allows audiences a greater understanding of this fascinating commission, hearing directly from the artist. This artworks has been developed with support from Creative Scotland through the Scottish Government’s Festival Expo Fund. There is an accompanying event in the Grand Gallery – Science Under the Lens – a hands-on free activity for children delving deeper into the lesser-known scientific history of Scotland.
Dr. Jane Goodall was an ethologist, environmentalist and activist widely known for her 65-year-long study of wild chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania, who died in October 2025.
Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, Goodall was a remarkable example of courage and conviction, working tirelessly throughout her life to raise awareness about threats to wildlife, promote conservation, and inspire a more harmonious, sustainable relationship between people, animals and the natural world.
The Science Festival will present an event celebrating her legacy and featuring Dr Anthony Collins whose 55 years working alongside Goodall in Gombe, Tanzania offer an unparalleled perspective, and Jasmina Georgovska, Director of Outreach at the Jane Goodall Institute UK.
Tickets are available to book at sciencefestival.co.uk/whats-on
The programme is available here.
