FOCAS Festival 2026

FOCAS Festival is back for our fourth year running!

Join us this year on the 27th & 28th June!

Join us for an unforgettable journey into the world of science, conservation, and our planet. Now in its fourth year, FOCAS is set to be bigger and better, growing on from the huge successes of previous years! Explore how you can make a real difference and get hands-on with immersive science experiences that inspire change at FOCAS Fest 2026!

FOCAS Fest – Focus on Conservation and Science Festival

At the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, we are dedicated to making science and conservation accessible to children and families of all backgrounds. Not only do you have access to FOCAS Fest, but also FULL access to the whole Sanctuary!!
Join us on Saturday, June 27th, and Sunday, June 28th, 2026, just £3.50 per person*!

*Please note members attend for free.

There will be 2 sessions each day:
Morning session – 9:30am to 1pm*
Afternoon session – 1:30pm to 5pm

*Please note, the morning session finishes at 1pm. At this time, you will be required to exit the Sanctuary before the afternoon session begins at 1:30pm.

We recommend booking online in advance for £3.50pp to secure your ticket. Tickets on the door or booked online on the day will be £7.00pp with availability limited to 750 per session.

Free parking is available for FOCAS Fest visitors; please scan the QR code at our admissions desk when you arrive.

Follow the Biosphere Festival on Facebook and Instagram for more updates!

Our 2026 Exhibitors!

Join us for an exciting opportunity to explore a variety of engaging exhibitors, offering children the chance to connect with nature through hands-on conservation and science activities, including:

And more TBC…

• Ants on a Rock
• Aspire Ryde
• Biopshere
• Bird Aware Solent
• British Trust for Ornithology
• Cats Protection
• Dinosaur Isle
• Earth Museum
• Forever Wild at Heart CIC
• Greenpeace – Isle of Wight Local Group
• Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
• IOW Badger Trust
• IOW Bat Group
• IOW Council – Family Hub
• IOW Reptilarium
• IOW Sea Pool
• Island CraftWorks
• Island Rivers
• Kay McCrann (with the Earth Museum)
• National Trust
• Naturezones
• Patter Products
• Planet Aware
• Project Seagrass
• Red Squirrels IOW
• Revolution Plastics Institute (University of Portsmouth)
• RSPB
• Sensory Space CIC
• Solent Seascapes – HIWWT
• Southern Water – FOG team
• Scarlet Oak Theatre – The Zoo That Comes To You
• Vectis Astronomical Society
• Wessex River Trust
• White-tailed Eagles (run by Wildheart)
• Wild Isle Nature School
• Wildheart Bears – John the Bear
• Wildheart Conservation & Research – Crayfish
• Wildheart Learning & Discovery

Talk Schedule for the day

In addition to the incredible exhibitors on display, we have a fantastic line-up of inspiring talks scheduled throughout both sessions on both days.

AM Session:

10:30 – “The Zoo Keepers” Show with Scarlet Oak Theatre

11:00 – Big Cat Talk

11:30 – Bear Talk

12:00 – “The Zoo Keepers” Show with Scarlet Oak Theatre

PM Session:

16:00 – “The Zoo Keepers” Show with Scarlet Oak Theatre

14:30 – “The Zoo Keepers” Show with Scarlet Oak Theatre

15:00 – Big Cat Talk

15:30 – Bear Talk

Scarlet Oak Theatre:

Experience the magic of The Zoo Keepers! Enjoy four unique 15-minute shows, each starring our engaging zoo keepers and their unforgettable puppet friends – an Orangutan, a Kea, a Blue Iguana, and a Southern White Rhino. Don’t miss the chance to feed a rhino, build an orangutan’s nest, or help a cheeky Kea with a magic trick!

These entertaining and informative shows bring the wonders of the animal kingdom to life. After each performance, you’ll have the chance to meet the puppets up close, snap photos, and create lasting memories with these extraordinary creatures. Don’t miss out on an event that’s sure to delight and inspire people of all ages.

Our Lemur Dome will also be open!