Bradford Science Festival 2025

Bradford Science Festival 2025 takes place from 25 October to 2 November, bringing nine days of free, interactive events to venues across Bradford.

This year’s programme explores the future of technology, fashion, climate, sound, and food, with hands-on experiences, workshops, talks, performances and family-friendly activities designed to inspire curiosity across all ages.

Festival highlights are spread across five themed zones:

Future Tech
25 October – 2 November • National Science and Media Museum
Explore cutting-edge science through immersive VR, robotics, AI and digital experiences.

• Robo Bingo (25 Oct – 2 Nov): A tech-meets-comedy interactive show
• Impact Gamers: Drone simulation challenges in a futuristic game world
• UK Antarctic Heritage VR: Step into 1965 Antarctica in a 30-minute virtual journey
• Astro Pi Challenge (25–31 Oct): Space coding workshops for ages 9+
• Fit for the Future: Short film by Bowling Park Primary
• Power to Shape Tomorrow with Cummins (27–29 Oct): Green tech & AR
• Terahertz Communications with University of Leeds (30–31 Oct): Laser maze and demos
• Science of Measurement with National Physical Laboratory (25–26 Oct): Hands-on metrology exhibits
• University of Bradford Facial Recognition & Anatomy Simulation (25–26 Oct): AI face-scanning and musculoskeletal demos
• Catch the Air Bandits! with Born in Bradford (29–30 Oct): Air quality games and challenges

Future Fashion
25–26 October • The Broadway
A two-day programme of sustainable fashion, creative workshops and youth-led design.

• We Are The Future catwalks: With local young designers
• Dead White Man performance & workshop: A global take on textile waste
• My Favourite T-Shirt: Video game exploring fast fashion’s environmental impact
• Sewing Skills with Stitch Society: Hands-on repairs and reuse
• Terrific Textiles with 50 Things To Do: Craft activities for children
• Meet the Natural History Museum: Discover nature’s role in fashion innovation

Future Climate
28 October • Thornbury Centre
One-day climate action hub with practical activities, games and community mapping.

• Seagrass Seed Bags with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust: Help restore marine habitats
• Bog Baking with Yorkshire Peat Partnership: Build a healthy bog in a giant artwork
• City Sparks Climate Game: Balance choices and impacts in a local climate simulation
• Hydrogen Cars: Race mini hydrogen-powered vehicles
• Born in Bradford LEGO Mapping: Design your own healthy neighbourhood
• Urban Discovery Walk at 1pm: Explore local spaces on foot, no booking needed

Future Sounds
30 October • SHINE West Bowling
A one-day sonic experience exploring music through accessibility, rhythm and technology.

• Gig Zone: Haptic sound tech, DJ workshops and inclusive dance
• BEARS VR Gaming: Sound recognition games co-designed by deaf youth
• Accessible Music Tech Showcase: Student-led innovations from University of Bradford
• Drumming for Health: Biofeedback drumming sessions with the Clem Burke Project
• BD5 City Sparks with All Star: Discover the science of sound

Future Food
1–2 November • Darley Street Market
Taste, test and tinker with the science of what we eat and how it’s made.

• Explosive Food with Royal Institution: High-energy food demos
• Food on Film with University of Leeds: Games and activities on food texture and taste
• From Grain to Goodness: Watch rice pop in real time with University of Nottingham
• Gut and Skin: Microbes Uncovered: See live bacteria in action and explore food’s role in skin health

Film Screenings and Talks
A weeklong film strand with screenings and discussions for all ages.

• Lost for Words (PG) – 24 & 26 Oct
• Fashion Reimagined (12A) – 25 Oct
• AI and the Future of Science – 25 Oct
• The Thinking Game (12A) – 29 Oct
• Café Scientifique – 30 Oct

Kids’ Club Screenings (U/PG)

• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs – 27 Oct
• Meet the Robinsons – 28 Oct
• Robots – 29 Oct
• Megamind – 30 Oct
• Monsters vs Aliens – 31 Oct

Free to attend, with drop-in and bookable sessions across the city. Events take place at National Science and Media Museum, The Broadway, Thornbury Centre, SHINE West Bowling, and Darley Street Market. All venues are family-friendly and accessible.