Name: Oxford Maths Festival
Start: 2026-05-10T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-05-10T16:00:00+01:00
Location: Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford

Join us to explore the wonderful curiosities mathematics holds. Most suitable for families with children aged 4 - 13 years.
About this Event

Welcome to the Oxford Maths Festival!

Please note: Please note: General Admission is now full but you can join the waiting list.

Make sure you sign up for as many tickets as you need for your group (e.g. if your group has 3 persons, then you will need 3x general admission tickets and 3x tickets for each booked activity).

The Oxford Maths Festival (organised by Oxford Mathematics) is an extravaganza of all the wonderful curiosities mathematics holds. Over two days you can immerse yourself in a wide range of events, with something for everyone, no matter your age or prior mathematical experience.

This event is FREE all the family and most suitable for children aged 4-13 years.

Day 1 - Saturday 9 May 2026 10:00-16:00 at Templars Square Shopping Centre

Ages 3+, Drop-in, No booking required

Hands-on mathematical games and activities. Play games, explore historical mathematical items from the History of Science Museum, and try a range of puzzles. This event features content inspired by Magic Mathworks and Mathematical artefacts from the History of Science Museum.

Day 2 - Sunday 10 May 2026 10:00-16:00 at the Mathematical Institute

Booking required for General Admission and Timed Bookable Activities

Enjoy a variety of shows, workshops, and demonstrations as well as mathematical crafts, boardgames and hands-on activities.

General Admission Ticket

A General Admission ticket gives you access to the Oxford Maths Festival. You will be able to drop into activities such as the Maths Observatory, Hands-on Family Maths, and Explore the Maths Museum. You also have the option to book on to Timed Bookable Activities below.

Drop-in Activities

With a General Admission ticket you will have access to our range of drop-in activities, including:

Hands-on Family Maths Ages 5-13 Explore maths at your own pace with engaging, hands-on activities.

Soma Cube Ages 5+ Can you put the giant cube back together? What else can you make from the pieces?

Explore the Maths Museum Ages 5+ Stay and play with some of our crazy interactive and hands-on mathematical objects and activities. Provided by Mathematica IMEUSP.

Maths Observatory Ages 5+ Discover the maths of snapping, bubbles, and more with our hands-on demonstrations.

Tessellation Workshop (Drop-in) Ages 6+ Maths meets Art in this interactive workshop. Explore how squares, triangles and hexagons fit together, and see what patterns you can create with pentominoes and hexiamonds. But watch out — the fiendish Hat, Krinkle and Spectre tiles are lurking in the mix! Provided by House of Maths

14:30 - 16:00

Timed Bookable Activities

Some of our activities, including shows and workshops, require pre-booked tickets.

Please make sure you have booked your General Admission tickets and then browse and book your timed workshops and activities. Everyone attending the activity needs a ticket.

Please note you must have a General Admission ticket with the individual sessions.

Please note: Many of the timed activities are now full. You can join the waiting list for individual sessions but you must also have a General Admission ticket to attend. If you join the waiting list please make sure you sign up for enough tickets for everyone in your group.

Here's what you can book:

Number, Shape and Pattern Workshop

Ages 4-5 Join House Of Maths and Charlie the Maths Cat for a laughter-packed hands-on session with shapes, numbers and fun. Warning: sometimes the numbers misbehave – please shout out if you spot any mistakes! Provided by House of Maths

11:00 - 15:45

Maths Secrets: How to Look Like a Genius

Ages 9-13 Is maths the closest we can get to actual magic? Barney will be sharing his top tips for pulling off mind-reading feats and human-calculator wizardry, with plenty of tricks for you to dazzle your friends and family. Provided by House of Maths

12:30 - 13:30

Mathemagic (New for 2026!)

Ages 7+ Whether you love maths but lack the sleight of hand to pull a rabbit from a hat, or perhaps you're a fan of trickery and illusion but fail to see where maths comes into it... all will be welcome at this all-ages, family-friendly presentation. A pen and paper would come in handy!

Provided by Kyle D Evans

10:30 - 11:30

Blueprints: How Mathematics Shapes Creativity with Marcus du Sautoy

Ages 9+ From abstract painting to patterns in poetry, Marcus explores the complex relationship between art and mathematics and why the two disciplines might not be such polar opposites after all.

14:30 - 15:30

Crafty Maths with Ayliean

Ages 6+ Create a beautiful mathematical object to take home with the help of Maths communicator, Ayliean! Origami, braiding, stitching, flexagons, mobius strip paper chains and colouring!

10:00 - 10:50
11:00 - 11:50
12:00 - 12:50
14:00 - 14:50
15:00 - 15:50