Oxford North to host IF Oxford interactive family science event and Creation Theatre experience

The IF Oxford Science and Ideas Festival will host an array of immersive activities including an outdoor promenade theatre experience at Oxford North, the city’s new innovation district on Friday 24 October 2025.

IF Oxford burst into life this month with a programme of more than 100 events and activities for all ages across the city, aimed at sparking curiosity and conversation about science, technology and the future.

This Friday, ‘Zone ONE’, one of the festival’s flagship events, is taking place at Oxford North, the city’s new innovation district, as part of Oxford North’s Engage programme, its commitment to the art, culture, social value and legacy programme.

Zone ONE offers the opportunity to be one of the first in the world to see a cosmos of ideas while overlooking ‘Your planetary assembly’, the landmark series of planetary sculptures in Fallaize Park, designed by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson.

Guests will be hands-on with family-friendly experiments and demonstrations delivered by science experts.

The play Orbit is bound by gravitational forces at Zone ONE, with Creation Theatre delivering a guided tour through the Solar System via a new show, launching from Earth on a playful stroll through space. It is an interactive performance which will take small groups of up to 15 people per show on a half-an-hour guided promenade, using accessible pathways in the new landscaped public park.

Tickets are free, with an option for a charitable donation to the Oxford science and ideas Festival when booking. Please note guests must have reserved a ticket to attend.

Independent barista Pannekoek will host a pop-up café onsite selling delicious refreshments which will be open between 4pm and 8.30pm.

Dane Comerford, IF Oxford Director, said: “We’re amazed by the partnership with Oxford North this year. The scale of ambition is huge for creating the city’s most exciting innovation district in the science sector, where solutions to the future’s biggest questions will be created. It’s a partnership based on a shared passion for science and creativity, inspiring future generations, and Zone ONE brings together so many key concepts within the Festival.

"Sculpture, interactivity and theatre will align, and I hope the sunset from the third floor provides a magical backdrop for hundreds of people experimenting and creating their own collage poetry or robotic instructions, trying out the Glow Gallery and meeting scientists and artists, with imagination running free.”

Simon Ruck, Managing Director of Oxford North, said: “We’re proud to be hosting Zone ONE in partnership with IF Oxford, to further connect our beautiful park and Your planetary assembly with our community and help inspire more people with the wonder of science.

“This forms part of our commitment to the arts, science and our community and we’re looking forward to a remarkable evening full of wonder, through live performances and interactive activities for people of all ages.”

Victoria Collett, Development Director of Thomas White Oxford and Chair of the Public Art Steering Group, said: “We’re committed to connecting Oxford North to the cultural heart of the city and delighted to host IF Oxford to deliver a highly engaging programme.

“Oxford North is the perfect place to bring together scientists, artists, families and local residents to join in a shared journey of discovery. Thank you to our steering group for helping create our Engage programme which underpins art and culture at Oxford North and deliver public events such as Zone ONE. We look forward to welcoming everyone.”

IF Oxford is being delivered by the charity, The Oxfordshire Science Festival, a charity dedicated to the development of a science and ideas festival in the region of Oxford. IF Oxford 2025 is the 34th science and ideas festival.

Tickets are being sold on a ‘pay what you decide’ basis and guests must have reserved a ticket to attend.

Oxford North will comprise one million sq ft (92,903 sq m) of laboratories and workspaces, 480 new homes, a hotel, nursery, cafe, bar, three public parks and infrastructure. Phase one has completed which consists of the Red Hall, which will house an 80-seat café and 100-seat theatre due to open in early 2026 and the first two laboratory buildings, which are available to lease.

Oxford North’s Engage programme has been formed to animate Oxford North and integrate it with the city’s art and culture scene and create opportunities for the community. The long-term programme incorporates community involvement and legacy-building and includes IF Oxford’s inaugural public event at Oxford North on Friday.

Oxford North is owned by Oxford North Ventures the joint venture between Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope. The project has a commitment to ensure that Oxford North has a far-reaching positive impact on the local economy.

To book tickets for Zone ONE visit here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/zone-one-registration-1585483837839?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information on Zone ONE and directions to Oxford North visit here: https://if-oxford.com/event/zone-one/