🚀🌍 SCIENCE STARS CONFIRMED: Helen Sharman & Hamza Yassin Set to Headline Edinburgh Science Festival 2026

Edinburgh Science Festival is the first and still one of Europe’s biggest science festivals, taking place annually over the Easter holidays with 2026 dates confirmed as 4-19 April and the theme of Going Global.  

The team is delighted to offer the Festival audiences a sneak peek of next year’s programme with two fantastic events, both taking place on Sunday, 12 April at Usher Hall.

At 2pm, Hamza Yassin’s Adventures in Nature brings wildlife cameraman, presenter and author Hamza Yassin in conversation with science presenter Siân Bevan, sharing stories of unique experiences and adventures as a wildlife cameraman.

Having been born in Sudan, Hamza moved to the UK as a young child and now lives on the incredible west coast of Scotland where he is often found high up in the mountains filming his beloved eagles.

Hamza will be available for book signing after the event.

At 7pm, An Evening with Astronaut Helen Sharman will see the first British astronaut sharing her extraordinary experiences from her historic 1991 mission aboard the Mir space station.

Audiences will hear about her training, blasting off on a Soyuz rocket and what it’s like to live and work in space including conducting science experiments.

In conversation with Earth scientist and former BBC presenter Dr Hermione Cockburn, Helen will reflect on the evolution of space exploration – from Tim Peake’s International Space Station mission to private space companies – and the growing international diversity in space programmes.

Edinburgh Science Director and CEO, Hassun El-Zafar said: “As we prepare for the launch of our full 2026 festival programme in February, we are delighted to reveal that Helen Sharman and Hamza Yassin will be joining us in April.

“Our 2026 Festival theme ‘Going Global’ will showcase the research and innovation created through international partnerships which address shared challenges.

“We are excited to have Helen and Hamza, who have both worked at the forefront of their respective industries, back with us at the Festival to share their stories and experience.”

Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut, said: “Space is getting really exciting again! “I’m delighted to return to Edinburgh to share some insights, including my own experiences of what it’s like in space.”