Swindon’s much-loved Festival of Tomorrow is back — and 2026 marks its most ambitious edition to date.
The public programme has officially opened, with more events, more venues and more opportunities to get involved than ever before. What began as a two-day celebration when it launched in 2020 has now grown into a near two-week festival, running from evening events at the Science and Innovation Park this week through to the popular Festival Finale at The Deanery in Wichelstowe at the end of the February half-term break.
This year’s theme, Living in the Future, invites audiences to explore what tomorrow might look like — from robots in our homes and the food on our plates, to astronauts venturing further into space and the hidden workings of the human mind.
Bringing together artists, performers, researchers, universities and organisations from across the UK, the Festival of Tomorrow offers a packed programme of spectacular shows, immersive art, hands-on workshops and free drop-in activities for all ages. Thanks to the support of partners including Arts Council England, Business West and UK Research and Innovation, the majority of events remain free to attend.
With more than 150 events taking place across Swindon, organisers say there is truly something for everyone.
Behind the Scenes at the Science and Innovation Park
One of the standout elements of this year’s programme is a series of four evening events at the Hawking Building within the Science Museum Group’s Science and Innovation Park at Wroughton.
Aimed at adults and older teenagers, the events offer rare behind-the-scenes access to working laboratories and collections. Audiences will hear from experts across a range of disciplines, take part in panel discussions and enjoy live links to contributors from across the UK — including after-hours access to the Science Museum in London.
Early bookers also have the chance to join specially curated tours of museum collections linked to each topic, including objects once owned by Stephen Hawking. All four events will also be streamed live online, allowing people beyond Swindon to take part.
Free Half-Term Fun Across the Town
Families can enjoy a packed programme of free activities throughout half-term, with venues across Swindon hosting immersive experiences, creative workshops and interactive exhibits.
From 14 to 21 February, Steam Museum will host a week of unmissable installations exploring the human brain. Highlights include Network by artist Gemma Wood, featuring giant illuminated neurons and a vivid soundscape, alongside State of Mind, an audiovisual walkthrough experience by creative studio Squid Soup.
Visitors can also explore The Happiness Sum, which playfully examines what makes us happy, as well as enjoy live shows, challenges and workshops running throughout the week.
Returning favourites include Dr Sarah Bearchell’s Cloud Factory, where visitors can smell, touch and taste clouds, alongside Journey to the Stars, bubble-filled performances, circus science workshops, nature detective activities and creative sessions led by local children’s author Kate Claxton.
Senses, Sound and Science in the Town Centre
Swindon Designer Outlet will host a free Super Senses Trail from 14 to 21 February, inviting families to test their abilities against some of nature’s most extraordinary animals.
Visitors can also experience Unfit For Vision – A Journey Beyond Visible Light, an interactive art and science installation exploring wavelengths beyond human sight, or get hands-on with Pulse, a playable project combining movement, music and technology. The Sound Garden offers a colourful musical playground made from recycled objects.
Meanwhile, The Brunel Shopping Centre will host daily free drop-in activities from 16 to 20 February, ranging from bridge-building challenges and moon mission design to slime-making, musical experiments and insect-inspired art.
The historic Carriage Works will also host a vibrant exhibition of artworks by local creatives responding to the festival’s theme, alongside free workshops and craft activities.
Evening Events and Festival Finale
For adults and teens, the festival includes science-inspired comedy, spoken word and stargazing evenings. Highlights include an Old Town Comedy Club event headlined by Robin Ince, Swindon Wordsmiths’ Poetry and Comedy Night, and a Star Hop astronomy evening at Lydiard Park Hotel.
The Festival Finale takes place at The Deanery CE Academy in Wichelstowe on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February, featuring five free Discovery Zones packed with interactive exhibits from organisations including the James Dyson Foundation, UKRI and leading universities.
Families can also enjoy a spectacular line-up of live shows, from rocket science and chemistry experiments to deep-sea adventures, ghost-hunting technology and explorations of neurodiversity. Tickets for shows are free for under-18s, with under-16s accompanied by an adult ticketholder.
Festival organisers are encouraging people to book early, as many ticketed events are already filling quickly.
For tickets, updates and announcements, visit www.festivaloftomorrow.com and follow @festivaloftomorrow on Facebook and Instagram.
