FREE things to do at Cheltenham Science Festival
Next dates
Looking for free family activities at Cheltenham Science Festival? Alongside the ticketed talks and shows, there are plenty of fantastic FREE events taking place throughout the festival, including hands-on workshops, interactive performances, science demos and the popular Interactive Zones.
Here's your day-by-day guide to all the FREE family events.
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Family Physics Singalong
- Time: 10am - 11am
- Venue: Jetstream
- Ages: All ages
Sing, create and learn as music and science collide in this interactive family workshop.
A STEM Musical: The Cambridge First All-Ladies Fire Brigade
- Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm
- Venue: Jetstream
- Ages: All ages
A lively musical inspired by pioneering women studying science in Victorian England.
Free Interactive Zones
- Schools Session: 10am - 3pm
- Families: 3pm - 6pm
Explore hands-on exhibits, challenges and interactive science experiences.
Wednesday 3rd June 2026
Free Interactive Zones
- Schools Session: 10am - 3pm
Thursday 4th June 2026
Free Interactive Zones
- Schools Session: 10am - 3pm
Friday 5th June 2026
Free Interactive Zones
- Schools Session: 10am - 3pm
- Closed: 3pm - 6pm
- Festival After Hours (18+): 6pm onwards
Saturday 6th June 2026
TikTok Science
- Time: 10am - 11am
- Venue: Main Hall, Town Hall
- Ages: 7+
Separate science fact from fiction and recreate some of social media's most popular science stunts.
Marvelous Mocktails
- Time: 11:30am - 12pm
- Venue: Jetstream
- Ages: All ages
Discover the science behind delicious mocktails with demos, experiments and taste tests.
Things Scientists Don't Know
- Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm
- Venue: Jetstream
- Ages: 7+
Explore some of science's biggest unanswered questions.
Free Interactive Zones
- Relaxed Session: 10am - 11am
- Open to Everyone: 11am - 5pm
Sunday 7th June 2026
From One Tiny Cell
- Time: 10:30am - 11am
- Venue: Jetstream
- Ages: 7+
Discover how cells grow and develop into a human body through fun drawing challenges and interactive science.
Science Stinks!
- Time: 11:45am - 12:30pm
- Venue: Jetstream
- Ages: All ages
A hilarious and fascinating journey through the science of smell.
Big Bug Show
- Time: 12pm - 1pm
- Venue: Main Hall, Town Hall
- Ages: 5+
Sing, dance and discover the weird and wonderful world of insects.
Free Interactive Zones
- Relaxed Session: 10am - 11am
- Open to Everyone: 11am - 5pm
Free Interactive Zones
One of the highlights of Cheltenham Science Festival, the Interactive Zones offer hands-on science experiences, demonstrations, challenges and exhibits designed to inspire curious minds of all ages.
- Tuesday 2nd June: 3pm - 6pm (Families)
- Wednesday 3rd June: Schools only, 10am - 3pm
- Thursday 4th June: Schools only, 10am - 3pm
- Friday 5th June: Schools only, 10am - 3pm
- Saturday 6th June: 10am - 5pm (Relaxed session 10am - 11am)
- Sunday 7th June: 10am - 5pm (Relaxed session 10am - 11am)
All events listed above are FREE to attend, although some may require advance booking through the Cheltenham Science Festival website.
