World Science Festival Brisbane skyrockets into its tenth year with a groundbreaking 2025 program
Knowledge seekers, science buffs and curious thinkers, strap yourselves in. World Science Festival Brisbane 2025 has just dropped its highly anticipated program in full, revealing a thrilling line-up of more than 90 unmissable events that will put some of the most pressing topics of our time under the microscope. From the thrill of quantum science, neurotechnology and gut microbiome, to space exploration, the mind-flipping science of skateboarding and reversing the ageing process, this year’s festival is taking the pursuit of knowledge to a whole new level.
Held from March 21–30, the tenth annual World Science Festival Brisbane is set to transform the city into a buzzing hub of science and creativity, with engaging discussions, interactive installations and all-ages hands-on experiences held across some of Brisbane’s most iconic venues.
This year, the festival embraces the theme Infinite Awe, bringing together brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to explore questions that push the boundaries of humanity. The theme also celebrates the centenary of quantum mechanics, marking 100 years since its groundbreaking discovery.
World Science Festival co-founder and physicist, Professor Brian Greene, leans into the theme to host one of the program’s headliners, The Search for Quantum Reality. The Australian-exclusive event will see Professor Greene take the stage at QPAC’s Concert Hall on Thursday March 27 to unravel the mysteries that continue to challenge our understanding of the universe.
Ever wondered if you could slow the ageing process? Harvard Medical School’s leading genetics researcher Professor David Sinclair has the answers. Held on Saturday March 29, Why we age and why we don’t have to sees David reveal his groundbreaking research and extraordinary advancements that suggest ageing can be slowed – and perhaps even reversed.
Knowledge-seekers have a unique opportunity to step inside world-class institutions like State Library Queensland and Queensland Museum’s Collections & Research Centre, which will open their doors for a limited series of tours as part of Labs Unlocked. Meanwhile, those curious about how microbiome impacts digestion, immunity and mental health can go on a deep-dive at Love Your Guts: Health and the Microbiome at Queensland Museum Kurilpa on Sunday March 30.
Perfect for families wanting some budget-friendly fun, enchanting installation Superluminal by Patch Theatre invites kids 4–8 years old to explore nature’s most extraordinary creatures and systems, and see how time shapes them. Running at Queensland Museum from March 21–30, this immersive experience takes children and their families on a guided journey through interactive spaces, following hidden animal tracks to discover species from the past, present and even the future.
Get ready for some serious thrills when world-class skaters hit the South Bank Piazza for Arena Atomica: Skate-ology festival debut on March 29–30. Expect jaw-dropping tricks, mind-bending physics and plenty of “wow” moments as top skaters defy gravity. With leading physicists and sports gurus breaking down the wild science behind the moves, you’ll get the inside scoop on how the incredible flips and spins actually work, while watching them live in action.
After a sell-out last year, Robowars makes a triumphant return to World Science Festival Brisbane, with Australia’s top fighting robots set to battle it out for the ultimate glory. The showdown forms part of the Robots & Rocketry weekend (March 22–23) at Queensland Museum Rail Workshop, North Ipswich.
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Leigh Sales AM and Annabel Crabb: An Afternoon of Science sees the lively duo return to QPAC’s Concert Hall to lead fascinating conversations with leading scientists on Saturday March 29. Later that evening, Concert Hall will host the anticipated Science Smackdown event, where wit, wisdom and wild ideas collide in an uncensored science showdown.
The festival descends on Fish Lane on Friday March 28 for Alchemy Afternoon, where chemists, sensory scientists, chefs and mixologists join forces to shed light on what actually happens in your mouth, brain and gut when you eat and drink – and the science behind our interest in food. The following night (Saturday March 29), those not keen on Q&A sessions in big crowds can sit down, have a drink and enjoy a one-on-one chat with the festival’s scientists at Researchers on Tap at Fish Lane.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg! To view the full program and book ticketed events (be quick, some shows are selling out fast!) head to the World Science Festival Brisbane website.