NI Maths Festival 2026 is back and bigger than ever at Derry’s Foyle Arena

Building on the success of last year, the 2026 festival has engaged over 35 schools across the North, alongside leading STEM organisations and local businesses who champion maths as a vital life skill.

The free event will engage primary school children, secondary school children and their parents in activities and talks to help demystify maths, teach practical tips for using maths in our daily lives and build confidence in supporting children to learn maths. The two-day Maths Fest is open to primary schools to visit on Day 1 and to the public including post primary students and parents on Day 2.

With almost 1,200 pupils, teachers, and volunteers already registered, NI Maths Fest 2026 promises two exciting days of curiosity, creativity, and cultural discovery—where history meets hands-on learning. Last year 850 attended the festival.

Sumeeta Gupta, Centre Director of Foyle Kumon Study Centre and Director of NI Maths Fest, said: ‘As a not-for-profit event, the festival is dedicated to making maths engaging, accessible, and enjoyable - helping to reduce anxiety around the subject while inspiring confidence and curiosity in learners of all ages." This year’s theme, Maths Across Cultures, will take students on a fascinating journey through time, exploring how ancient civilisations - from Egypt and India to Greece and China - shaped the mathematics we use today.

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Ruairi McHugh added: “The Northern Ireland Maths Fest is a wonderful celebration of creativity and learning and I’m delighted to see this flagship event return to the Foyle Arena for 2026.

"By bringing together schools, families, businesses and educators from across the North, the festival shows that maths is a vital life skill.

"I would encourage schools, students and parents alike to take part in this inspiring event and discover how maths can be engaging, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”

Those who attend the event will also uncover the origins of numbers, experiment with ancient counting systems, play traditional mathematical games, and learn clever tricks that have stood the test of time.

Emphasising the importance of attending, Ms. Gupta concluded: "Schools are encouraged to take part and allow students to discover that maths is more than numbers - it is a shared human story.”

Sponsoring businesses and professional services organisations include Alchemy, EY, Terex, Benchmark Financial Solutions, DMJF Human Capital Ltd, Frylite Solutions, and Creative Activity, alongside educational partners North West Regional College, Ulster University, and Queen’s University.

The festival is also proudly supported by Visit Derry, Londonderry Chambers of Commerce, Tower Museum, Brook Hall Outreach, Metadeck, Studio 2, North West Carnival Initiative, Hello Marketing, The WEB CREW, and Barclays. Together, these partners will deliver engaging projects and hands-on workshops exploring ancient mathematics and its lasting influence.

NI Maths Fest 26 will take place at the Foyle Arena on Thursday, January 22, and Friday, January 23. To register for the popular education event visit the https://nimathsfest.co.uk/ website.