Chelmsford Science Festival 2026

Chelmsford Science Festival returns for a dynamic celebration of ideas, creativity and discovery.

This year's Festival explores the theme Future Worlds: Earth, Space, You. It features exciting events across science, technology, engineering, health, the environment and the arts.

Below you’ll find key dates and event highlights.

• Main festival: 20–28 October 2026: Featuring FREE talks and workshops on subjects as diverse as Bone Health, The Common Cold, Neurodiversity, Alien Oceans and Essex in the Ice-Age to name just a few. Check out the full listings at the Science Festival link above.
• Playable Worlds Careers Experience Day: 21 October 2026
• Family Festival Weekend: 24 and 25 October 2026
  Hands-on activities, pop-up science, arts and craft stations, demonstrations and live performances for all ages.
• Half-term events
  FREE city-centre events in partnership with Chelmsford For You and The Witches of Chelmsford. Explore the links between science and witchcraft and uncover Chelmsford’s past, just in time for Halloween.

Join us in making the Chelmsford Science Festival an unforgettable experience! #ChelmSciFest

There are far too many events for us to tell you all about here, so head over to the Science Festival events pages at ARU to find out more and book your places.