Free outdoor mini children's festival of curiosity

• Where: Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, Telegraph Way, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HZ

• When: Weekends and summer school holidays from Saturday 8th July to Monday 4th September, including every day during the summer school holidays

• Times: 9.30am to 5pm (last entry 2pm)

• Admission: All visits must be booked in advance via the website

Get summer started with a bang – literally – at Winchester Science Centre's Fiesta. Families will have their curiosity sparked both indoors and outdoors between Saturday 8th July and Monday 4th September, including every day in the school holidays, as the science fun heads outside for the summer season. As well as all the usual indoor excitement, like a brand new explosive live science show and the unforgettable Planetarium, families will be able to enjoy festival tents, mini stages and live science outside in stunning landscape of the South Downs National Park. And it's all included free with admission!  

Mini outdoor festival
Adventure outside for a mini children's festival of curiosity. The Science Centre has two outdoor spaces which will be filled with noise, science and festival fun this summer.

Head to the South Downs Lawn for storytelling and science show-and-tell with the Inspirers. Settle-in for a nature-themed story-time in the Storytelling tent. Discover the world around us through beautiful tales and fun role play. And why not join the Inspirers for some show-and-tell on the Wonderseekers mini-stage. Children can get up close to things they might not have seen before and discover the secrets of our natural world.

In the Bio:Space garden nature sounds amazing! Here families can take part in the Music Makers tent by building a sound maker and replicating the beautiful noises of nature. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about the sounds we hear around us every day. Next to the Music Makers tent is the Star mini stage. Here children can become the stars by putting on a performance with their hand-made music makers.   

Boom, Bang, Fizz – the science of fireworks
There's a fiesta of fireworks in the Science Theatre this summer! This brand new free live show will delve into the science behind the ooh's, aah's and wow's of a firework display. Fun experiments and dazzling demos will bring this explosive topic to life in an exciting 20-minute live show. Families will be able to discover how binders act as oxidisers and help some fireworks burn brighter than others. The Inspirers will explore the metal salts that give fireworks their colour with the hugely popular coloured flame throwers demo. And don't miss the explosive finale that will look at find out how propellants help fireworks put on their amazing night-time displays.  

Planetarium
Take a break from all the excitement in the Planetarium. This summer sees the return of the much-loved Solar System Adventure presenter-led live show. Families will blast off on an epic journey around the planets, stars and suns that make up our Solar System. Throughout the adventure an expert Planetarium pilot will explore the wonders above us and reveal some amazing facts. Or why not join the Time Master, narrated by Hollywood star Andy Serkis, on an adventure to find out if we are all made of stars in the subtitled film show We Are Stars. Be whisked 13.8 billion years into the past from the Big Bang to the modern day and discover the secrets of our cosmic chemistry. The colourful characters of this show are perfect for a younger audience.

Please note, the Planetarium has an additional £4 charge per person (under 3s are free).

And so much more…
And don't forget all the other hands-on fun on offer! Visitors can discover more about sound, hearing and vibration on the upper floor. Climb inside a giant guitar. Explore the acoustic rocket. And even learn some British Sign Language. On the lower floor families can blast off on a journey through Explorer:Space and discover more about what it's like to live and work in space in the interactive space zone.

Fiesta is part of the Science Centre's explosive year of fun. Daytimes will be action-packed with six brand-new seasonal events, one for every school holiday. And when the doors close the fun doesn't stop with four brand-new family and adult-only evening events.

Daytime seasons still to come

• Get summer started with a bang at Fiesta (8th July to 3rd September).
• Get set for some trick or treats at Science Spooktacular (7th to 30th October).
• Experience the sights and sounds of Christmas past with the return of the hugely popular Science Dino-mite (2ndDecember to 7th January).

Evening events

• Head outside with an astronomy expert and discover the stars and planets at Night Sky Live
• Experience a completely unique movie night under the stars of the Planetarium at Starlight Cinema.
• Why should the kids have all the fun? Experience live science and live music at the adults only Science Lates.
• Are you curious about the world of science? Science Explained might just have the answer!

For more information and to book tickets visit WinchesterScienceCentre.org.

For further information about Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium please contact:sarahbull@winchestersciencecentre.org

charlottebarnaville@winchestersciencecentre.org | 07860 128 634

Notes to Editors

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium is the leading science and discovery centre in the South of England with a strategic vision of sparking curiosity and a mission to build science capital for all. 

The independent educational charity was founded in 1985 in response to the local shortage of scientists, engineers and technicians. It is now a regional leader in science communication, welcoming nearly 200,000 visitors annually including over 40,000 school children and engaging many more people through its schools' and public outreach programme. 

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium is home to the UK's largest standalone planetarium, immersive space zone Explorer:Space and two floors of interactive STEM exhibits. Included in admission every weekend and school holiday are explosive live science shows and hands-on activities and challenges focused around a popular science theme.