starmus festival returns tenerife la palma october 2026

Starmus Festival returns to Tenerife and La Palma this October

Starmus returns to the Canary Islands

The international science, music and arts festival Starmus has announced it will return to Tenerife and La Palma from 17 to 22 October, with a line-up featuring Nobel laureates, scientists, physicists, environmentalists, astronauts and artists including Brian May, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, among others.

A dream that grows bigger every day

Festival co-founder Garik Israelian, who announced the details of this eighth edition, said that ten years ago, Stephen Hawking’s presence in Tenerife helped to launch a dream that grows bigger and more real every day: Starmus. He added: “With this new edition, we are not only celebrating everything we have achieved, but also the extraordinary community that has formed around the idea that science belongs to everyone.”

Opening concert and medal ceremony

The Opening Concert and Medal Ceremony will take place on 17 October, bringing together science, music and culture in a celebration headlined by Andrea Bocelli, Sir Brian May and Sarah Brightman, accompanied by the Las Palmas Symphony Orchestra and the Starmus All Stars band. During the event, the Stephen Hawking Medal and the new Jane Goodall Earth Medal will be presented.

First ever Jane Goodall Earth Medal

Among the highlights of this edition, the Jane Goodall Earth Medal will be awarded for the first time. The honour goes to Costa Rican anthropologist and economist Christiana Figueres, in recognition of her leadership in promoting environmental awareness, climate action and sustainable management.

Stephen Hawking Medal for Brian Cox

The Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication 2026 will be awarded to British scientist Brian Cox, in recognition of his contribution to international science communication and his ability to inspire others through his work as a physicist, presenter and communicator. Speaking at the announcement, Cox said it was an honour to receive the medal: “This is a particularly moving award, because I remember standing beside Stephen Hawking ten years ago. Astronomy is the oldest science, and in a fragmented world like today’s, it is more important than ever to strive to understand that our universe matters.”

Brian May: science must reach everyone

Brian May expressed his delight at Cox’s recognition: “I am so pleased that this year’s Starmus is honouring Brian Cox, whose powerful presentations have radically changed the way the general public perceives how the universe works.” He added: “From Neil Armstrong to Richard Dawkins, via Jean-Michel Jarre and many others, previous editions of Starmus have fulfilled their promise to unite art and science at the highest level. Starmus VIII will continue that quest with its theme, ‘The Search for Truth’, and we have great hopes for it.”

Past recipients and star speakers

Previous recipients of Starmus honours include David Attenborough, Christopher Nolan, Elon Musk, Hans Zimmer, Jane Goodall, Jean-Michel Jarre, Brian Eno, Neil deGrasse Tyson and many other figures whose work has inspired the world. Among the first confirmed speakers for this edition is Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton, considered one of the most influential figures in the development of artificial intelligence. In the coming weeks, Starmus will announce further award recipients, scientists, astronauts and international artists joining the festival line-up.

Official presentation and local support

The programme was unveiled on Thursday at the Cuevas Blancas Science and Technology Park, attended by the Canary Islands Minister for Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture, Migdalia Machín; the President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila; the island’s Minister for Innovation, Research and Development, Juan José Martínez; the Minister for Tourism of the Cabildo of La Palma, Raquel Rebollo; the Director of the Starlight Foundation, Antonia Varela; the Vice-Rector for Research and Transfer at the University of La Laguna, Antonio Aparicio; and Starmus founders Dr Garik Israelian and Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Sir Brian May.

During the event, speakers highlighted the festival’s international significance, its contribution to science communication, and the impact its celebration will have for Tenerife, La Palma and the Canary Islands as an international meeting point for science, innovation and the union of these fields with music.

Ten years on, the message matters more than ever

Co-founder Sir Brian May noted: “The Stephen Hawking Medal was born from the conviction that science must inspire far beyond the scientific community – science must reach everyone. Ten years after its creation, this message and its value are more important than ever. At a time when truth, evidence and critical thinking are increasingly questioned, we are proud to recognise those who help bring science and knowledge to the world.”

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