The British Science Festival 2025, the 194th annual celebration of science, runs in Liverpool from 10-14 September at various venues across the city.
From comedy shows to art installations, dynamic performances to hands-on workshops, insightful talks to interactive experiences, the British Science Festival programme of over 100 events is free and has something for everyone.
Talks by influencer and Bionic Arm ambassador Tilly Lockey, leading geneticist Giles Yeo, and Time Team genealogist Sophie Kay; artwork made from thousands of human teeth; and a carnival style dance performance on the theme of migratory birds are just some of the highlights of this year’s festival.
Working in partnership with the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, the British Science Association is bringing its flagship event to Liverpool for the first time since 2008.
Here’s a selection of highlights from the 2025 festival.
Liverpool In Space – LJMU Redmonds Building (11 September)
Drop in and discover the out-of-this-world science that’s happening across the city with
Liverpool in space. Meet space scientists from the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University to delve into fascinating subjects including microgravity, astrophysics and planetary defence. This is your chance to find out about the technologies that are deepening our understanding of the universe and changing our life on Earth.
Game On, Snack More – The Tung Auditorium (11 September)
Is digital gaming affecting what you eat? Join
Game On, Snack More to find out. Brands are everywhere on videogame livestreaming platforms, most often targeting young people with ads for food high in fat, sugar and salt. Rebecca Evans (University of Liverpool) will show how this marketing affects eating habits, calling for more research to help shape public health policy.
Truth In The Age of AI – FACT (12 September)
How do we perceive
Truth and authenticity in the age of AI? From viral deep fakes to AI-altered videos designed to manipulate public opinion, digital authenticity is increasingly uncertain. Join multimedia artist Rachel Maclean and FACT’s Director Nicola Triscott as they discuss how artists are opening up new perspectives on the risks and opportunities that AI poses to our perception of what is true and what is fabricated.
MOONFACE – Unity Theatre (12 September)
Shady billionaires make plans to colonise and mine the solar system, and our nearest celestial neighbour has something to say about it. A clowning show performed by Meg Hodgson with live sound from Livvy Lynch,
MOONFACE is a funny and exuberant love letter to our rocky satellite that explores what it means to be human. Expect burlesque and drag-style numbers, testimony from survivors of human-made disasters, and movement inspired by the gravitational interactions between Earth and moon.
The Future of Rail – All Aboard for Tomorrow! Metal Liverpool (13 September)
What will train travel look like 200 years from now? Who will run the railways? What will we eat onboard? How fast will we go and how can we travel greener and cleaner? Join Metal Liverpool for
The Future of Rail – All Aboard for Tomorrow! a fun, hands-on creative workshop where you’ll imagine the future of rail travel.
Working with St. Helens based artist Claire Weetman they will explore big questions through drawing, design, and storytelling. Whether you’re a train lover, a daydreamer, or simply curious — all are welcome. No experience needed, just bring your imagination!
Archive adventures: Creative writing workshop – Bluecoat (13 September)
Searching for inspiration for your next piece of writing? Want to explore ideas about science from the past? Take part in
Archive adventures: Creative writing workshop, that will reveal how scientific archives could inspire your work. Gain the confidence and skills you need to jump right in! Writer Clodagh Chapman will talk about how scientific archives can be places of unexpected discovery, for writers and scientists alike.
Food, Glorious Food – Museum of Liverpool Lecture Theatre (14 September)
What can the humble potato teach us about food cultures and communities? Many staples of the British diet originate from Latin America, from potatoes, corn and tomatoes to chocolate and strawberries. Join a team of foodies for
Food, Glorious Food – including scientists, archaeologists, chefs, musicians and curators – for tastings, conversations and demonstrations that delve into the origins and importance of these delicious crops.
During this lively session, led by Luma Creations in collaboration with the World Museum, they’ll discuss how these foods have been integrated into our diets and what they mean to people, both now and in the past.
Art Forgery To Astrophysics: A Data Science Showcase – Museum of Liverpool (14 September)
Curious about how computers solve problems? Want to know how algorithms work? Keen to talk about the impact of AI? Drop in for a chat with Art forgery to astrophysics: A data science showcase with researchers from the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University and find out about their research across data science. They’ll explain how data science is used for a multitude of things, from identifying art forgeries all the way to astrophysics.
This is also a chance to explore the fundamentals of sorting algorithms, which are essential for designing computer programmes. Discover how sorting data plays a key role in computation.
Discover the entire programme of events for the British Science Festival and book your free tickets at britishsciencefestival.org.
For even more things to do in Liverpool and the city region check out our What’s On Listings.
