Science and art spectacular as Colliderfest line-up announced
SPECTACLE: Colliderfest aims to inspire
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
The line-up has been announced for Colliderfest, Hull’s new science and arts festival, which takes place next month.
The event takes place from Friday, March 14 to Sunday, March 16, and will feature a range of science=based shows, activities and performances.
Headline shows will include performances from children’s presenter, author and scientist, Maddie Moate, and Matthew Tosh, a speaker, educator and pyrotechnician.
The two shows will join a programme of more than 40 events that focus on topics ranging from AI, space and volcanoes to climate change, nature conservation, and microbiology.
Audiences can get hands-on with experiments and activities in three different zones across the city centre – the Discovery, Fusion and the Exploration zones.
‘Colliderfest Lates’ for older audiences will feature quizzes, talks, workshops, films and demonstrations.
The evening spectacle – ‘Colliderfest After Dark’ – on the Friday and Saturday from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, will see a bright, psychedelic light and sound installation across Queen Victoria Square, Beverley Gate, Whitefriargate and Trinity Square.
Colliderfest, which taes place during British Science Week, promises to be “an exciting, educational, and immersive experience with something for all the family to enjoy”.
‘THRILLED’: Maddie Moate
Moate said: “I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of Colliderfest in Hull this year. It’s such an exciting event that will bring together creativity, innovation, and science in a fun and engaging way. I can’t wait to connect with the amazing people there, share some cool ideas, and spark a love for discovery in everyone who joins us. See you all on 14th and 15th March.”
Mark Lorch, festival director and professor of public engagement and science communication at the University of Hull, said: “Colliderfest is an explosion of creativity and curiosity, right in the heart of Hull.
“We’re merging the worlds of science and art to show just how exciting and inspiring they can be together. With something for every age and interest, from hands-on experiments for kids to jaw-dropping performances and exhibitions for adults, this festival is all about discovering, learning, and having fun.
LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT SKY: ‘After Dark’, which will be beamed across the city centre
“Set against the backdrop of Hull’s most iconic locations, Colliderfest is a unique chance to celebrate the magic of creativity and the incredible ways science and art influence our lives.”
The festival is organised by University of Hull, Hull Maritime and Hull City Council in partnership with Hull Museums and Gallery.
It will take place alongside Hull’s second Cultural Tides Conference on March 14, when the Culture and Heritage Strategy 2025-2030 will be launched at Hull Truck Theatre.
Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “Hull’s newest science and arts festival is poised to become a must-attend event in Hull’s cultural and educational calendar. With its innovative programming, and its celebration of Hull’s rich heritage, Colliderfest promises to be an unforgettable experience for all who attend.
PLAYING WITH FIRE: Matthew Tosh
“We are thrilled to have such exceptional talents as Maddie and Matthew as part of this year's Colliderfest.
“Their expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication to making science accessible and exciting to all audiences are exactly what we need to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.”
Hull launched a new annual arts festival, The Awakening, curated by Freedom Festival Arts Trust, in 2022, but after a successful return in 2023 it did not appear last year due to a lack of funding.
The Awakening, which celebrated the transition from winter to spring and was held over two successive evenings, attracted crowds of more than 100,000 to the city each year.