National Science And Media Museum To Host Showstopping Science Festival Ahead Of Temporary Closure

Bradford Science Festival returns from 23 May – 4 June with an unmissable lineup of hands-on experiences and live events.  

The festival will be the last chance to visit the National Science and Media Museum before it temporarily closes from 5 June until summer 2024 as part of its £6m transformation.   

Thanks to National Lottery players, the major Sound and Vision project will create two new galleries, an additional passenger lift and an enhanced foyer space.  

Headlining Bradford Science Festival is Giant Leaps, an out-of-this-world immersive experience created by acclaimed choreographer Corey Baker, while BradLab and STEM City return to explore the amazing science happening locally and exciting career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths.   

Over the May half term (27 May-2 June), visitors will be able to get hands on with science, with opportunities to make their own chromotrope or see things up close in a microscope, along with special performances and dance workshops led by Corey Baker Dance and interactive science shows to explore the illuminating world of light.  

A big family weekend on 3 and 4 June will wrap up the festival. Festivalgoers will be able to take part in family activities and interactive workshops led by community partners, with special giant puppet performances and live drumming.   

During the temporary closure, the museum’s Cubby Broccoli and IMAX screens will also be closed, while Pictureville Cinema will remain open 7 days a week. Visitors can experience the final installment of the popular Marvel series Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 in 2D and 3D on the region’s biggest and most immersive IMAX screen until 18 May. The hugely popular family-friendly IMAX 3D documentaries that explore Earth and space will also be screening until 5 June.  

Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Science and Media Museum commented: “This year’s Bradford Science Festival will be even more special as it not only celebrates a fantastic programme but it also marks the last chance for our visitors to see the museum before our major transformation begins. On top of this, the museum will be celebrating its 40^th birthday in June, which feels especially fitting as we enter this exciting new phase.” 

The Sound and Vision project is a £6m capital investment, and in addition to funding received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project also has support from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund 2022-24, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, and the Science Museum Group, which the National Science and Media Museum is a part of. 

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For more information about Bradford Science Festival and to book free tickets, please visit: www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/whats-on/bradford-science-festival   

For more information about cinema screenings and to book tickets, please visit: www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/cinema