An out-of-this-world line-up for ColliderFest 2026

The University of Hull is proud to co-deliver this amazing festival alongside Hull Museums and Gallery and in partnership with Hull Maritime, Hull City Council and The Deep.

From Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 March, Hull City Centre will once again become a centre for science, creativity and culture as the celebration of all things STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) returns.

Following the resounding success of its debut last year, the 2026 ColliderFest programme, now live, promises an even more dynamic festival of imagination, exploration and wonder.

Professor Mark Lorch, Festival Director and Professor of Science Communication and Public Engagement at the University of Hull, said: “At the University of Hull, our mission is to challenge, to inspire, and to push the frontiers of knowledge and creativity, to support new generations of future change-makers.

“ColliderFest is an incredible celebration of science and the arts, and I’m delighted that we are once again at the heart of the team making it happen, to be working with visionary scientists, artists and sports pioneers — individuals who have travelled to the edges of discovery and reimagined what’s possible.

This year the themes of Innovation and Community will run throughout the four-day event. The first two days (Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March) will focus on school-based activities, whilst the weekend (Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March) will open to families and budding scientists, offering a packed programme of talks, performances, installations, and hands-on experiences for all ages.

Free drop‑in sessions and events will take place across multiple venues, including the University of Hull, Hull Museums Quarter, the Wilberforce Institute, Ferens Art Gallery, Princes Quay, Hepworth Arcade, Humber Street, and The Deep. Activities range from e‑gaming and arrow making to model wind‑turbine building, 3D bee printing, supercomputing demos, singing sessions and storytime.

Whilst most of the events will be free to attend with no booking required, there are some ticketed shows and experiences. These include An Evening with Dame Dr Maggie Aderin‑Pocock, The Science Behind Curling with Olympian Grant Hardie, and In conversation with Sir Christopher Dean, and the return of the ever‑popular Robo Bingo. ‘Colliderfest in the Community’ will take place at St Matthews Church on Anlaby Road, featuring domino computing and LEGO engineering.

Cllr Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for leisure and culture at Hull City Council, said:

“ColliderFest was a resounding success last year and we’re so excited to see it return for 2026 to amaze, dazzle and educate. With a huge range of activities for all ages, there really is something for the whole family to enjoy.”

Katy Duke, CEO of The Deep said: “The Deep is thrilled to play its part in Colliderfest, to help spark curiosity and inspire people of all ages and support an event that opens doors to new ideas and possibilities. We’re proud to play a role in bringing world‑class STEAM experiences to Hull and championing the next generation of scientists and innovators.”

The weekend’s activities will also include brand new event ‘Our City’, which brings together a whole host of community groups and organisations, coordinated by Back to Ours. It will include two parades across the day and night through the city centre, culminating in Queen Victoria Square.

Find out more about the full ColliderFest 2026 programme here. Ticketed events go on sale Friday 6 February. For programme enquiries, email colliderfest@hull.ac.uk