World famous STARMUS Festival coming back to Tenerife and La Palma in October 2026
The world-renowned science and music festival STARMUS has announced that its next major edition will take place in the Canary Islands in October 2026. The announcement was made in London at the Royal Society, exactly ten years after STARMUS and Professor Stephen Hawking launched the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication at the same historic venue.
Dates and locations confirmed
STARMUS VIII: In Search of the Truth will be held on Tenerife and La Palma from 17th to 22th October 2026. Organisers say this will be the biggest and most ambitious STARMUS festival so far, bringing together science, music, art and space exploration, while also focusing on the future of our planet and humanity.
Migdalia Machín, Canary Islands Minister for Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture, said the event puts the islands at the centre of global science and culture: “STARMUS 2026 places the Canary Islands at the heart of international discussion about science, innovation and culture. It is an honour to host an event that inspires people and brings science closer to everyday life. From these islands, world-class science is possible.”
What is STARMUS?
Over the last decade, STARMUS has grown into a unique international event. It brings together Nobel Prize winners, astronauts, scientists, technology leaders and famous musicians on one stage.
The festival is known for making complex science easy to understand and exciting for the public, while encouraging open discussion about big questions — from the universe and space travel to climate change and humanity’s future.
Stephen Hawking once described STARMUS as: “A ray of hope in a world full of serious problems, and a unique forum to discuss the future of the human race.”
Two medals, one message
The 2026 festival will mark 10 years of the Stephen Hawking Medal, which recognises people who help explain science to the public through books, films, music and media.
A new award will also be launched: the STARMUS Jane Goodall Earth Medal. This medal will honour individuals and organisations working to protect the Earth, wildlife and biodiversity, and has been approved by Jane Goodall and her family.
Together, the two medals send a clear message — looking to the stars must go hand in hand with caring for the planet we live on.
Honouring Jane Goodall’s legacy
Jane Goodall is widely regarded as one of the most important scientists of modern times. Her research with chimpanzees changed how we understand animal behaviour, emotions and family life.
She was also a strong supporter of STARMUS, serving on its advisory board, speaking at the festival and receiving the Stephen Hawking Medal. Her visit to La Palma after the 2021 volcanic eruption left a strong impression on audiences.
STARMUS director and co-founder Garik Israelian said: “Ten years ago, Stephen Hawking helped us launch a medal that encouraged people to look to the stars. With Jane Goodall’s blessing, we are now launching a medal that reminds us to protect the Earth.”
STARMUS co-founder and Queen guitarist, Brian May, added: “Stephen Hawking and Jane Goodall helped us see the world differently, one through the universe, the other through life on Earth. Bringing their legacies together at STARMUS feels especially important today.”
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