Headline guests this year will include ice dancing great Sir Christopher Dean, space scientist Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and Team GB Olympian Grant Hardie
Sir Christopher Dean and Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock will appear at ColliderFest 2026(Image: Hull City Council/submitted)
The stars are aligning in Hull next month as the city prepares to transform into a vibrant hub of science, creativity, and culture with some renowned guests heading in too. Organisers have confirmed that British space scientist Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Team GB Olympian Grant Hardie, and legendary ice dancer Sir Christopher Dean will headline ColliderFest 2026.
Set to run from Thursday, March 12 until to Sunday, March 15, it will build on the momentum of its debut last year. The festival celebrates all things STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths.
The 2026 programme, which is now live, focuses on the dual themes of innovation and community. The first two days of the event are dedicated to school-based activities, while the weekend shifts focus to families and aspiring scientists with a diverse lineup of talks, performances, and hands-on experiences.
The event is a collaborative effort organised by Hull City Council and the University of Hull, in partnership with Hull Museums and The Deep. A wide array of venues will host activities, including the Hull Museums Quarter, Ferens Art Gallery, The Deep, Federation of Sport, Princes Quay, Humber St, and the Wilberforce Institute.
Weekend visitors can engage in everything from e-gaming and printing 3D bees to model wind-turbine building and supercomputing. While the majority of the festival remains free and with no booking required, several high-profile sessions will be ticketed.
These include an evening with Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, an exploration of the science behind curling with Grant Hardie, and a conversation with Sir Christopher Dean. The popular comedy show Robo Bingo is also slated for a return. Ticketed events will go on sale from Friday, February 6.
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. We have some huge names in the STEAM sector confirmed, including Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, promising fascinating talks and experiences.
“With a huge range of activities for all ages, there really is something for the whole family to enjoy. Hull is well-versed in holding large scale public events and our residents have a great appetite to try new things – Colliderfest is the perfect addition to the city’s event calendar and I can’t wait to see it arrive.”
The university’s role in the festival remains central to its mission of public engagement. Professor Mark Lorch, Festival Director and Professor of Science Communication and Public Engagement, 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’s ColliderFest continues to break new ground with an exciting programme inviting people of all ages to explore, experiment and be inspired. We’re proud to play our part in an event that sparks curiosity and fuels our passion for learning.”
In addition to city-centre festivities, ‘Colliderfest In The Community’ will bring domino computing and Lego workshops to St Matthews Church on Anlaby Road. The weekend will also debut ‘Our City,’ a collaborative event co-ordinated by Back To Ours featuring two parades through the city centre that will culminate in Queen Victoria Square.
Katy Duke, CEO of The Deep, added: “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.”
Find out more about the full ColliderFest 2026 programme here.