The robots are coming! Swindon’s Festival of Tomorrow will take over the town in February 2024

A nine-metre inflatable robot snail, a squadron of flying drones and bio-inspired interactive robots will be making their way to Swindon as the Festival of Tomorrow returns.

The Festival, which takes place every February, will be spreading right across Swindon from Peatmoor to Coate Water, and from the Vic in Old Town to the Swindon Designer Outlet, teaming up with artists and organisations from Swindon and across the UK to find new ways to help people explore the science, technology and discoveries that will shape the future.

Organisers say Swindonians can look forward to an even bigger programme of events, activities and performances than ever before, thanks to support from key partners UK Research and Innovation, Business West and Arts Council England.

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The fun will kick off with a dedicated programme for Swindon schools, followed by an exciting line-up of performances, installations and free family activities at venues about the town during February half-term, all culminating in a two-day finale extravaganza at The Deanery CE Academy in Wichelstowe on February 16 and 17.

Whilst the full programme is still under wraps for now, Swindon families can look forward to meeting Luma - a 9-metre-long inflatable robotic snail who loves an audience- as part of a range of free activities at Steam, while shoppers at the Designer Outlet will be able to try their hand at a swarm robot escape room or explore space with an augmented reality trail.

Evening entertainment will include a film night, a science comedy night, and Last and First Men, presented by Neon Dance - a stunning and unique live performance set to the rich visuals of the late Jóhann Jóhannsson’s science fiction film with narration from Tilda Swinton.

Rod Hebden, Festival of Tomorrow director, said: “We’re so thankful to all the volunteers, local venues, performers and companies who come together to help us deliver the Festival each year, and we’re really excited to have lots of new people involved this year.

We’re very privileged to have the support of our principal Business West and UK Research & Innovation, along with support from Arts Council England, and host of other partners and sponsors.

"The programme is going live soon, so we’d encourage any other company that would like to join this year’s festival to get in touch right away.

Ian Larrard, director at Business West Swindon and Wiltshire Initiative said: “Having been involved with the Festival since year one, and seen the impact it has, we’re delighted to be increasing our support this year.

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"The links between science, technology and the arts are greater than we often realise, and Swindon has that relationship at the heart of the town’s culture and heritage.

"It’s wonderful that the Festival can celebrate that culture in Swindon, and we want to see all of Swindon’s business community get behind it!”

Organisations including The James Dyson Foundation, Catalent, Intel UK, Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology, the Royal Institution and several leading universities will be supporting the festival once again, offering hands-on science activities, spectacular shows and free workshops to give people of all ages the chance to share in the latest research and technologies which will help shape our future.