10 not-to-miss science events in 2025

Did you know it’s 60 years since the first spacewalk and 20 years since YouTube brought science videos to our screens? Or that the Large Hadron Collider is scheduled to restart operations this year after a major upgrade?

2025 is packed with science celebrations, headline-making discoveries, and boundary-pushing exhibitions across the UK. Whether you’re curious about climate, fascinated by fusion, or simply want to get hands-on with science, here are 10 not-to-miss science events to add to your calendar this year.

1. Celebrate 60 years since the first spacewalk

On 18 March 1965, cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first human to walk in space. Sixty years on, the UK is marking this milestone with a wave of space-themed events.

Look out for special programming at the National Space Centre in Leicester, a “60 Years of EVA” exhibition at the Science Museum in London, and immersive planetarium shows at We The Curious in Bristol. The Royal Observatory Greenwich is also hosting evening talks on the future of space exploration.

2. Take part in British Science Week (7–16 March 2025)

This year’s theme is “Time” - exploring the science of clocks, the history of Earth, and our place in the universe. Join citizen science projects, enter competitions, and visit events near you.

For families and schools, there are free activity packs, and the popular virtual science race is back, with this year’s challenge taking participants through the geological ages in an interactive app experience.

3. Catch a science festival near you

From cutting-edge AI to climate science and quantum tech, science festivals continue to captivate all ages.

• Cambridge Festival (12 to 23 March): Expect hands-on fun, talks by leading academics, and family drop-ins.
• Glasgow Science Festival (5 to 15 June): This year’s theme is “Living Futures,” with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
• Northern Ireland Science Festival (13 to 23 February): Don’t miss talks, experiments, and stargazing events.
• Cheltenham Science Festival (3 to 8 June): EDF will be there too - come and find us in the family zone!

4. Say hello to EDF at a live event

We’ll be popping up at major festivals throughout the year – so come and get hands-on with our energy-themed activities.

Visit us at:

• Cheltenham Science Festival (3 to 8 June)
• Women in Nuclear Global Conference 2025 (14 to 18 July)
• EDF visitor centres, where you can experience virtual reality tours of nuclear power stations or try our interactive renewables displays.

5. Explore the newly reopened Life Science Centre, Newcastle

Reopening in spring 2025 after a major refurbishment, the Life Science Centre now boasts a redesigned Space Zone, a Sustainability Lab, and a revamped Brain Zone.

From coding workshops to climate change escape rooms, there’s something for everyone - including a new planetarium show narrated by Helen Sharman, the UK’s first astronaut.

6. Celebrate women in science and engineering

Look out for local events marking:

• International Day of Women and Girls in Science - 11 February
• International Women’s Day - 8 March
• International Women in Engineering Day - 23 June

The Women’s Engineering Society continues to host inspiring talks and networking events across the UK.

7. See your favourite scientists live

In 2025, science communication goes mainstream once again with a stellar line-up:

• Professor Brian Cox brings “Horizons: The Final Chapter” to arenas across the UK.
• Hannah Fry tours with “Data, Decisions & Destiny,” a new live show about AI, maths, and everyday life.
• Alice Roberts presents “Unearthed,” a mix of archaeology, evolution, and personal storytelling.

Check out Blue Dot Live, a new hybrid tour featuring ocean scientists and live visuals from Blue Planet archives, set to an orchestral score.

8. Discover nature and climate science

In the lead-up to COP30 in Brazil this November, there’s growing momentum behind local climate action.

Look out for:

• Festival of Nature (Bath & Bristol, 1 to 8 June)
• Great Big Green Week (8 to 16 June)
• Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild campaign running all June

Nature walks, green science kits, and urban rewilding sessions make this a great time to explore climate and conservation.

9. Music + science = summer festival fun

Science and sound collide again this summer at UK festivals:

• Bluedot Festival, Jodrell Bank (17 to 20 July): Space, music and cosmic conversations.
• Green Man Festival, Wales (14 to 17 August): Don’t miss Einstein’s Garden, the festival’s science village.
• Latitude Festival, Suffolk (24 to 27 July): Catch science stand-ups and sustainability talks.

Many festivals now feature family-friendly science areas – including VR demos, coding challenges, and pop-up planetariums.

10. Be an armchair scientist (or join in online)

From YouTube explainers to livestreamed experiments, there’s no shortage of science at your fingertips in 2025.

• Watch Veritasium, Physics Girl, and Kurzgesagt on YouTube.
• Listen to podcasts like The Infinite Monkey Cage and The Climate Question.
• Join EDF’s online events or try our virtual science experiences through our visitor centres page.

Let’s power curiosity in 2025

Science isn’t just something to watch – it’s something to experience. Whether it’s at a festival, in a lab, or under the stars, there’s something for everyone this year.