Marking a joyous return to hands-on discovery, the world's oldest science festival is back in 2023, running from Saturday 1– Sunday 16 April.

With the theme of 'let's experiment' at its core, Edinburgh Science Festival's vast programme of events includes plenty of interactive family-friendly fun, as well as fascinating conversations between leading experts in topics spanning food politics, bacteria, sexuality and circular economies. 

Alongside the flagship family venue at City Arts Centre, the festival will be taking over venues like Dynamic Earth, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh Zoo, Summerhall and National Museum Of Scotland. Online on demand content will also be available throughout the duration of the festival at sciencefestival.co.uk/on-demand. 

Among the packed programme, family-friendly highlights include the Be A Scientist, Build A Vaccine! workshop, where children aged 8+ will learn about immunology through the creative use of 3D printed components and games; Dig Up A Dinosaur where kids aged 5+ learn the techniques used in archeology; and the Use Your Voice mini exhibition, which shows how young climate activists are inspiring hope for the future. 

Meanwhile, adults can learn about the ongoing engineering challenges of Barcelona's famous Basilica in Gaudí's Sagrada Família In The Making; hear National Geographic zoologist and explorer Lucy Cooke debunk myths about binary expectations of sex in Bitch: A Revolutionary Guide; laugh at mathematicians trying to turn their research into stand-up in The Mathematics Showdown; and listen to the First Minister discuss Scottish and global efforts to respond to the climate emergency in Climate Of Change: Nicola Sturgeon In Conversation With Ambassador Patricia Espinosa. 

Amanda Tyndall, Festival and Creative Director at Edinburgh Science says: 'As we emerge from the disruption of the past few years and confront ongoing wider-world challenges, we remain in a period of transition and stabilisation but are excited by a whole- hearted return to live, hands-on science experiences. We call on audiences of all ages to join us in celebrating all things experimental!'

Discover the full programme, including more late night experiments, films, exhibitions and special events, at sciencefestival.co.uk. Tickets are available now.