Free festival of discovery right in the heart of Exeter

This month, Exeter city centre will become a place to explore the extraordinary, as the free FUTURES festival rolls into town.

Taking place across the weekend of 28th – 29th September, visitors can immerse themselves in family-friendly activities, get hands on with science and culture, and dive into awe-inspiring research with the University of Exeter.

Step into a world of wonder in a Pop-Up Curiosity Shop in Princesshay, work with real scientists at a Killer Fungus Interactive Event, journey along a Treasure Trail weaving around the city centre, and embark on Walkie Talkies guided walking tours to explore the area in a fascinating new way.

With events for all ages, held right in the bustling heart of the city, this free festival offers an opportunity to take part in a host of exciting activities that explore the past, create the present and imagine the future. The FUTURES festival of discovery is taking place across the South West this autumn, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Take a look at what is planned in Exeter this month. Everything is free to attend, but some events require or recommend booking in advance:

Pop-Up Curiosity Shop:

Location: Princesshay Shopping Centre, Bedford Street near Princesshay Square

Dates: Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September

Times: 10am – 3pm

Booking: No booking required - just drop in! Find out more here 

Enter a new dimension of discovery in the Pop-Up Curiosity Shop, where visitors are invited to be curious, let imaginations run riot, and learn lots. Get creative in the Craft Zone, take part in interactive activities, and enjoy bite-size introductions to a whole range of topics.

A team of renowned researchers will show off their specialist skills and introduce visitors to their amazing worlds. Thirsty for knowledge, this is the place to be - with 15 stands, experiences, and showcases to peruse over the weekend.

Find out how light can reveal a hidden world, using technology to see beyond the visible. Explore how we connect and communicate as an increasingly diverse society. Uncover how the magic of sunlight powers our planet , from solar-driven wonders to unsung sun-heroes. Enter a new world in a VR experience showing bird flight and navigation. Understand how the human brain creates amazing illusions using our senses.

Watch as a mural is created of this event, capturing all the action as it unfolds on the Saturday, illustrating it on the shop window of the Pop-Up Curiosity Shop. Stop by on the Sunday to see the finished display!

Killer Fungus Interactive Event:

Location: Positive Lights, 184 - 187 Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6RD

Dates: Saturday 28th September

Times: 10am – 4.30pm (booking slots available every 15mins – the session will last up to 1 hour)

Booking: Free to attend but booking required – book here

Guests are invited to find out if they  have what it takes to fight the Killer Fungus outbreak, working  with real scientists to solve the clues that surround a mysterious illness taking over Exeter! The session involves working  through a true-to-life outbreak scenario to find out about a fungal threat and what can be done to fight the fungus. Medical mycologists from the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology will be on hand to help solve the case, identify the fungal culprit and save the city!

This activity is suitable for all ages, but younger children will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Treasure Trail:

Location: Exeter city centre – start at the Pop-Up Shop on Bedford Street, near Princesshay Square

Dates: Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September

Times: 10am – 3pm

Booking: No booking needed – just grab a map!

Venture out and about in the city centre to hunt down five locations, using a map and research clues as a guide. Start from the Pop-Up Curiosity Shop, grab a map, and return once the quest has been successful to claim a prize.

A great way to see the city centre in a whole new way, there are also a couple of extra stops that curious adventurers can make a trip to. Visit Exeter Library on Castle Street on Saturday to see the FabLab – full of interesting gadgets and innovations – and join a celebration of the ‘We Still Have a Chance’ climate change inspired mural. Visitors can also head to Exeter Innovation Hub (Dix’s Field) between 11am-12pm on Saturday to join a free workshop to create and keep ultraviolet cyanotype images (book here).

Walkie Talkies:

Location: Exeter Innovation Hub, Dix’s Field, Exeter, EX1 1GF

Dates: Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September

Times: Various timed sessions available

Booking: Free to attend but booking advised – book here

Hit the streets with an expert guide to explore the local area in a fun and fascinating way. Join one of the Walkie Talkie excursions, led by academics at University of Exeter, to find out where innovative discoveries are made and world-leading new research created. 

In the ultimate science ‘show and tell’, guests will head on a guided tour to witness research brought to life, delve into important discoveries, and visit the inspiring places where vital work happens. These events are popular, so pre-booking is advised, as not to miss out.

There are a wealth of topics to jump into on these excursions, including how to monitor Asian Hornet invasions using AI; how French formed part of everyday life in medieval Exeter; shining a light on the power of harnessing the sun; an exploration of multicultural Exeter; and the wonderful world of fungi.

This weekend of events is part of FUTURES, a FREE festival of discovery taking place across the South West this September and October. FUTURES is an opportunity to find out more about the innovative and world-class research taking place at universities in Bath, Bristol, Devon, Cornwall, and online. FUTURES 2024 is funded by UKRI. Find out more at www.futuresnight.co.uk