Highlands Astronomical Society Mini Science Festival: 400 Years of Astronomy in the Highlands
Put some springtime stars in your sights! It runs from 21-28 March 2009 and there's talks, children's dark sky events, night sky observing sessions – with themes ranging from the archaeoastronomy of the Clava Cairns to exploring the Solar System. And don't forget the Messier Challenge! Most of the events will be held in the Society's Jim Savage-Lowden Observatory at Culloden Battlefield. Click here to download a poster.

International Festival of Philosophy, Science & Theology
Are science and theology fundamental opposites, and is philosophy now left on the sidelines of the world we live in? Not at all, say the speakers and audiences from around the world who gather biennially at the town of Grafton in New South Wales, Australia. The Festival is an initiative of the community and has strong environmental links. Howie Firth from Orkney is official Patron. The 6th Festival takes place this year from 27 June to 1 July.

The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
Represents some of the liveliest places for an interesting and enjoyable visit. There are around a hundred of them. About half are science centres, and the other half are discovery centres in museums, botanic gardens, aquariums and zoos. Their website provides links to the various centres themselves and descriptions of the varied activities that they do.

The International Science Festival Goteborg
Annika Lotzmann-Dahl and her team have taken the science festival concept and developed it to a new level. They use the historic venues of the city of Goteborg along with modern lecture hall and shopping centres, and wrap events in a mix of colour and sound. Strong support from researchers and local companies puts the festival to the fore in quality of content as well as flair – original themes have included the subject of love. This year's event starts on 4 May.