There are many well-established science festivals organised in the UK. Science festivals offer the public the opportunity to engage with science and scientists face-to-face in a relaxed environment. With activities including practical experiments and nature walks, expert talks and interactive exhibits, science festivals act as a platform for communicating science at all levels to people of all ages.

You can find out more about many different science festivals by region through the British Science Association and via an events calendar at AlphaGalileo. Below is a list of festivals that may also be of interest.

The British Science Festival
One of Europe's largest Science festivals which takes place in September every year.

Brighton Science Festival
Find out about what happened at the latest festival in February, as well as any other science news and events in Sussex.

Bristol festival of nature
The festival of nature is a public event held annually on the first weekend of June in Bristol. Join the UK's biggest celebration of the natural world.

Cambridge Science Festival
The 2011 Cambridge Science Festival took place on 14 - 27 March.

Cheltenham Festival of Science
Publishes its very own newspaper, Litmus Paper, to keep visitors up-to-date with Festival news and events. With a wide variety of activities for all ages, the Festival conducts entertaining experiments and asks the controversial questions of modern science.

Darwin Science Festival
Visit the Darwin centre for Biology and Medicine for other exciting events.

Dundee Science Festival
The 'Techfest - Setpoint' is for primary 4, 5, 6 & 7 pupils, sponsored by Dundee City Council's Education Development Service.

Durham Science Festival
The annual festival aims to stimulate interest and encourage wider participation in science, and to support the next generation of scientists from the local area.

Edinburgh International Science Festival (March/April)
Takes place every year throughout March and April.

Festival of Social Science
The ESRC Festival of Social Science is part of National Science and Engineering Week.

Glasgow University Science Festival
Find out about this annual event that provides talks and workshops around the University.

Highland Science Festival
Discover the many highlights of the festival, including the world's smallest physics lecture.

Manchester Science Festival
22nd - 30th October 2011, visit the Interactive section of the website for more details.

National Science and Engineering Week
National Science & Engineering Week shines the spotlight each March on how the sciences and engineering relate to our everyday lives and helps to inspire the next generation of scientists with fun and participative activities.

Newcastle Science Festival
Newcastle ScienceFest is a playful, experience-led festival that takes place over 12 cultural venues.

Orkney International Science Festival
Find out about the most recent festival and look out for details of the next one. Orkney International Science Festival takes place in September each year.

Oxfordshire Science Festival
Taking place during National Science and Engineering week, you can now complete a survey to report what you thought of this year's event.

The Royal Society
A spectacular festival of the sciences and arts took over the Southbank Centre in London during the summer of 2010.

Salters Festival of Chemistry
The Salters' Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of the Salters' Institute. Their objective is to help promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences among the young.

Shrewsbury Darwin Festival
Celebrates Charles Darwin’s life and work in the town where he was born and grew up. The Festival aims to deepen public understanding of Darwin’s scientific work and legacy, relating this to contemporary scientific developments and debates.

Sidmouth Science Festival
A new festival in October 2012 for all ages and all parts of the community focussing on the integration of science into everyday life.

Winchester Festival of Art and the Mind
In unique combinations of science, philosophy and art, in live performance and discussion, and on their web site, Art and Mind brings together some of the world's most eminent thinkers.

Wrexham Science Festival
Taking place in July each year, this festival features a full programme of events, designed to appeal to all ages and interests.

York Festival of Science and Technology
The annual festival is a chance for everyone to engage with all aspects of science and technology, taking place in March each year.