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Cheltenham Science Festival 2026
Cheltenham Science Festival has always been a place where ideas spark change.
Now, it’s time to press start. 🕹️
Tickets for the 2026 programme are officially ON SALE.
Across six days (2–7 June), step into a world of brilliant minds, bold thinking, hands-on discovery and ideas that challenge how we see the world.
Featuring voices including Maggie Aderin, Tim Marshall, Adam Rutherford, Deborah Meaden, Julia Shaw, David Larbi and Adele Zeynep Walton – with many more inspiring thinkers and changemakers to discover.
This is science that moves us forward.
Build your schedule. Book your favourites. Game on.
Get your tickets nowWe believe in a world where everyone can explore and create culture
Our charity brings joy, sparks curiosity, connects communities and inspires change year-round through four world-class Festivals in Jazz, Science, Music and Literature and projects for education, community and talent development
What's On What's on
Pavel Kolesnikov
Pavel Kolesnikov is hailed by The Guardian as an ‘outstanding pianist in every degree’ and for the ‘great emotional intelligence with understated virtuosity’ of his playing. He returns to Cheltenham Music Festival with a very special…
The Science of Cider
Uncover the science that transforms orchard harvests into crisp, complex cider. Sharing the craft behind one of the world's oldest drinks are Dunkerton's Cider Maker Robert West, materials scientist Mark Miodownik and chemist Andrea Sella.…
Sunday Papers with Adam Rutherford
Dissect the headlines with geneticist, author and presenter Adam Rutherford, comedian (and occasional scientist), Ria Lina and Festival Guest Curator Adele Zeynep Walton. Together they run through the top science stories in the Sunday…
Dudù Kouate and Shunya
Renowned for his mastery of pan-African traditional instruments, many of which he creates himself, Dudù Kouate journeys through his cultural influences in this rare duo appearance with Irish multi-instrumentalist Shunya.Born in Senegal in…
Opus13
First Prize winners at the 2025 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition, Opus13 is rapidly emerging as a leading voice on the international chamber music scene. Named after Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in A minor, Op. 13 —…
Pre-concert Talk: Coates
Our guest speaker John Pickard explores the evocative sound world of Eric Coates, once dubbed the ‘King of light-music’. Focusing in particular on the two works to be performed this evening, including Cinderella – which Coates himself…
Keep up to date with Festival news See all news
Cheltenham Jazz Festival Celebrates Record-Breaking 30th Anniversary Year with Record Ticket Sales
Wednesday 13 May 2026Cheltenham Jazz Festival has celebrated its most successful year to date, with its 30th anniversary edition welcoming record numbers of festival-goers to Montpellier Gardens, connecting over music across a sun-soaked Bank Holiday weekend.
Cheltenham Science Festival Announces 2026 Programme Showcasing Science’s Power to Change the Way We See the World
Tuesday 31 March 2026Maggie Aderin | Russell Arnott | Angela Gallop Saira Hameed | Claudia Hammond | Julia King Mark Langtry | Tim Marshall Deborah Meaden | Hugh Montgomery Alice Roberts | Adam Rutherford | Josh Smalley Richard Susskind | Jimmy…
Be a Part of Cheltenham Literature Festival 2026
Tuesday 31 March 2026Would you like to be part of The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival from 9 – 18 October 2026? We’d love to include you in this year’s programme! We're looking for a host of writers, creatives and performers to be part of…