STARMUS VIII brings science and music to the Canary Islands in 2026

Spain’s Canary Islands will host the unique science and music STARMUS Festival in October 2026. Details of the festival were announced by STARMUS co-founder and astrophysicist Garik Israelian at a press conference in London on December 16.

The festival will take place from October 17 to 22 on the islands of Tenerife and La Palma. The eighth edition of STARMUS will be held under the theme “The Search for Truth.”

STARMUS is renowned for the diversity of topics discussed and the exceptional caliber of their speakers. Previous editions have featured moonwalkers, astronauts, Nobel Prize laureates, leading scientists, and world-famous musicians.

The list of participants for STARMUS VIII has not yet been announced.

As part of the festival, the Stephen Hawking Medal is awarded annually to science communicators in three categories: science, art, and film. The medal was first presented at the third STARMUS Festival in 2016. Over the years, recipients have included prominent figures such as SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk, Academy Award–winning director Christopher Nolan, Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, the late primatologist Jane Goodall, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, physicist Jim Al-Khalili, Queen band member, musician and astrophysicist Brian May, electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre, and others.

During the December 16 press conference, STARMUS co-founder, Armenian astrophysicist Garik Israelian also announced the creation of a new medal in honor of Jane Goodall, to be called the Jane Goodall Earth Medal. While the Stephen Hawking Medal recognizes contributions to the popularization of science, the Jane Goodall Earth Medal will be awarded to individuals who work tirelessly and consistently to make their voices heard in the protection of the planet and biodiversity. The renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, who passed away in 2025, was a member of the STARMUS Advisory Board.

The first STARMUS Festival was held in 2011. Its co-founders are astrophysicist Garik Israelian and legendary Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Brian May.

In 2022, the festival was held in Armenia for the first time.