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.

To find out more about the many different science festivals on offer, please follow the links below. Both the British Science Association and AlphaGalileo also offer events listings, the former by region, and the latter via an events calendar.

The British Science Festival
In 2009, the Festival took place in Surrey from 5-10 September hosted by the University of Surrey in Guildford.

Bollington Festival
For the first time in the Bollington Festival had a dedicated science group who staged 8 fantastic events during May ‘09.

Brighton Science Festival
The Brighton Science festival  was as popular as ever this year. Throughout the week their evening events were all sold out, and even their inspirational breakfast, which took place early on a wet and windy Thursday morning, drew audiences. Enjoy the next festival at the end of February 2010.

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 2009 Cambridge Science Festival took place between 9 - 22 March. Visitors found out about the past, present and future of science with over 160 events for all ages.

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
In 2009 Festival week took place in March, hosting a variety of Darwin-related activities.

Dundee Science Festival
The 'Techfest - Setpoint' is for primary 4, 5, 6 & 7 pupils, sponsored by Dundee City Council's Education Development Service, included a free family activity day in Ocober 2009.

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)
This year the event took place on 6 - 18 April at the City Art Centre. Their 21st Festival is now over but has been their most successful yet with 8,000 people watching the remarkable robot ASIMO and family venues selling out day after day.

Festival of Social Science
The ESRC Festival of Social Science is on from 12-21 March 2010 as part of National Science and Engineering Week.

Glasgow University Science Festival
Lecture Series May 13th - June 10th, Public Programme June 1st - 13th, Family Day - June 13th, School Programme - June 1st - 13th.

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

Kent Festival of Science
The Kent Festival of Science returns to it's original host sponsor, Canterbury College. Visit this half term for their best and biggest festival yet.

Manchester Science Festival
The festival might be over for 2008 but there's still lots you can do if you're interested. Visit the Interactive section of the website for more details. The festival will return from 24 October - 1 November 2009.

MathFests UK
Visit their website for planty of interactive games.

Milton Keynes Science Festival
Ten days packed with a series of exciting, entertaining and informative Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths events and activities held in various locations around the city involving local schools, colleges, universities, societies and businesses.

National Science and Engineering Week
Gives people of all ages the opportunity to take part in a variety of science, engineering and technology activities. It is coordinated by the BA, funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and works in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board.This year the festival took place on 6 - 15 March 2009.

Newcastle Science Festival
12-21 March 2010. Let your imagination come out to play at ScienceFest! Learn how to speak Chimpanzee, race power tools, challenge the Rubik's Cube solving robot and see how many of your friends and family we can fit inside a bubble.

Orkney International Science Festival
3 - 9 September 2009. The annual Orkney International Science Festival welcomes Australian environmentalist Stan Mussared to present the Charter's principles.

The Royal Society
In late June and early July 2010, the Society, in partnership with the Southbank Centre, will present a huge and splendid celebration of the joy and vitality of science

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.

Science Oxford
Taking place during National Science and Engineering week on 6 - 15 March 2009. During 2008 the festival allowed you to have your photgraph taken by a passing satellite and perform cutting edge science using kitchen utensils.

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.

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, scientists and artists to examine the way we experience and create contemporary culture.

Wrexham Science Festival
Taking place from 25 March - 1 April this year’s highlights were the return of The Bubble Show, packed with amazing bubble sculptures and tricks, and a visit from Bjorn the Polar Bear.

York Festival of Science and Technology
This year's York festival took place from the 6th of March till the 15th of March 2009. There were events for a diverse range of audience, click the link above to visit the website and get more informtion about the events.