Explore the 2026 festival programme below. Check back soon for details of the 2027 festival and its upcoming events!
Family favourites return
Our most popular highlights for families are returning in 2026.
Super Science Saturday takes place on Saturday 10 October and is completely FREE! It’s a fantastic opportunity to get hands-on with science with activities and demonstrations designed to encourage curiosity and discovery. A great day out for families.
The same day also features the Geology Hub at the Methodist church and hall, providing an opportunity to explore the fascinating science beneath our feet, alongside geology-themed talks by leading professionals.
The ever-popular Robot Workshop takes place on Saturday 17 October where you can explore the fascinating world of robots with hands-on activities for all ages. Another free event!
Then, on Sunday 18 October, head up to the Norman Lockyer Observatory Family Day for another day packed with science and family-friendly activities. With its spectacular setting overlooking Sidmouth, the Observatory is the perfect place to explore astronomy and discover more about our universe. Under 18s free of charge, adults £15.
Science for everyone
You don’t need to be a scientist to enjoy the Sidmouth Science Festival. The programme brings science out of the laboratory and into the community, with talks, activities, demonstrations, exhibitions and opportunities to get involved, ask questions and discover something new.
This year’s programme covers an amazing range of subjects – from Sidmouth’s changing climate and coastal science to geology, fossils, the human brain, wildlife, technology and astronomy.
You can explore the science behind our changing coastline, discover the fascinating fossils of the Otter Sandstone, learn more about bees and lichens, or delve into some of the biggest questions about the human mind.
And if you like your science with a little entertainment, there are opportunities to discover the science of magic, explore particle physics and even go Hunting the Higgs.
Discover Sidmouth through science
Sidmouth’s spectacular natural setting makes it a particularly appropriate home for a science festival.
The town sits within the East Devon National Landscape, beside the Jurassic Coast, and its cliffs, coastline and surrounding countryside provide endless opportunities to explore the natural world. The festival gives you a chance to look at this landscape in a different way – and to discover the science behind it.
Why not combine a festival event with a walk along the seafront or coast path, a visit to Sidmouth Museum or an exploration of Sidmouth Civic Arboretum’s beautiful and fascinating trees.
Come and be curious!
Science is all around us – in the sea, the landscape, the weather, the technology we use, our own bodies and minds, and the universe beyond our planet.
The Sidmouth Science Festival provides a chance to stop, look a little closer, ask questions and learn a little more.
Whatever your age and whatever your level of scientific knowledge, you’re very welcome. Come for an hour, spend a day exploring the programme, or make the festival part of a longer autumn visit to Sidmouth.
Most events are free of charge or low cost. A few need to be booked in advance due to limited capacity.
Explore the full 2026 programme here and start planning your visit to Sidmouth.
Images © Sidmouth Science Festival
