The Edinburgh Science Festival has launched its programme for 2025, which this year is focusing on the theme of Spaceship Earth, ‘a recognition that our planet is not just a backdrop to life but a shared, living system that connects us all.’ Taking place from Saturday 5–Sunday 20 April, tickets for all events are on sale now. Spread across 30 venues throughout the city, 40% of the line-up is free. 

Of the many big names to speak at the festival, perhaps the most well-known is The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion writer and evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, who’ll visit McEwan Hall to introduce his latest book The Genetic Book Of The Dead, exploring what Darwinian evolution can reveal about the past. 

Also on the bill is Above And Below: An Astronaut’s View Of Our Planet, a discussion with NASA astronaut and oceanographer Kathy Sullivan as she provides unique insights on being the first American woman to walk in space, and the first woman to visit the deepest spots in the ocean. She’ll be in conversation with Earth scientist and former BBC presenter Hermione Cockburn. 

For fans of The Great British Sewing Bee, Patrick Grant will speak on the impact of clothing, fast fashion and sustainability, in what the festival is describing as ‘the crisis of consumption and quality in fashion.’ His talk will directly address the Spaceship Earth theme running through this year’s festival, which will also feature sustainability expert Mike Berners-Lee as he looks at the challenges faced in the climate emergency and comes up with innovative solutions for this existential problem. 

As always, families are well catered for at the festival, particularly with the maiden voyage of DiscoveryLab, the ‘flagship experience’ at the City Art Centre offering five floors of immersive workshops and activities for children between three and 12 years-old. For all ages, Spaceship Earth at the National Museum Of Scotland will delve into this year’s theme through the prism of science fiction and space exploration. There will also be a wealth of family-friendly events covering everything including baking, coding and how to build a rocket in your back garden. 

Receiving the Edinburgh Medal (a prestigious award founded by the City Of Edinburgh Council in 1989) is Professor Johan Rockström, who has been internationally recognised for his work on development of the Planetary Boundaries framework. He’ll join the festival with an address which examines navigating humanity's future on Earth. 

Edinburgh Science director and CEO, Hassun El-Zafar said, ‘It’s a great privilege to welcome guests and visitors, from near and far, to the 2025 Edinburgh Science Festival, my first as Director and CEO. For 35 years, Edinburgh Science has been fostering curiosity, discovery, and wonder, and this year continues that tradition. 

‘This spring, we invite you to explore how we can collaborate to build a fairer, more regenerative world – one that preserves and nurtures our Spaceship Earth. Our Festival programme showcases an inspiring line-up of distinguished scientists, intrepid explorers, and visionary thinkers, including Richard Dawkins, NASA astronaut Kathy Sullivan, The Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant, and sustainability expert Mike Berners-Lee. This year also marks the launch of DiscoveryLab, our reimagined family experience at the City Art Centre.’

Edinburgh Science Festival, various venues, Saturday 5 – Sunday 20 April.