Frequently asked questions

The RSA Fellows Festival is the RSA’s flagship annual event celebrating compelling new voices, fresh ideas and optimism for the future.

The 2025 Festival theme is The Power of Connection and in the spirit of connection, events will be taking place at RSA House in London and around the UK and globally, featuring leading voices from across the cultural, media, policy, civil society, business, and social and community enterprise sectors.

We have festival events taking place in eleven locations globally as listed below. Each event takes place between 15 and 21 May 2025. We will be welcoming guests both in-person and online, although some events will be online only.

Each regional event takes place over a different time frame. See the list below for details (all times are BST unless otherwise stated). Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for registration. Please note that doors open for the London Festival at 10am and early arrival is encouraged.

Bath – 17 May 2025 / 12pm-6pm / The Street, Bath Spa University, Locksbrook Rd, Bath BA1 3EL

Birmingham – 17 May 2025 / 1pm-5:30pm / Hall 6, International Convention Centre (ICC), 8 Centenary Sq, Birmingham, B1 2EA

Brighton – 16 May 2025 / 1pm-6:30pm / Lighthouse, 28 Kensington Street, Brighton, BN1 4AJ

Cardiff – 15 May 2025 / 6pm-9pm / Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Pl, Cardiff, CF10 5AL

Edinburgh – 17 May 2025 / 2pm-5pm / Staff Room, George Heriot’s School, Lauriston Pl, Edinburgh EH3 9EQ

London – 17 May 2025 / 11am-5pm / RSA House, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ

Manchester – 16 May 2025 / 11am-4:30pm / HOME Manchester, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN

Oceania – 19 May 2025 / 6pm-7pm AEST / Online only

Osaka – 17 May 2025 / 6pm-7:30pm / Online only

Seattle – 17 May 2025 / 12pm-4pm EST / Online only

Tokyo – 21 May 2025 / 6pm-9pm JST / Impact Hub Tokyo, 2-11-3 Insatsu Kojo 1st floor, Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0063

Toronto – 17 May 2025 / 5pm-7pm / Online only

Unless specified as an online event, the festivals will be in person and entrance will be on a ticket-only basis. For the London Fellows Festival, the Great Room talks and panel sessions will be livestreamed throughout the day, giving you the chance to join in online and enjoy a free taster of the event. Just head over to the RSA YouTube Channel to tune in.

Ticket prices vary based on the location of the festival event you would like to attend. Tickets for young people (aged 18-25) are reduced. Please refer to the individual event pages which can be found on the Fellows Festival 2025 page for the specific pricing details for each event.

One (in-person) ticket per person, gives you one entrance to the festival and covers allocated food and beverages throughout the festival at that specific location.

The ticket price includes food and refreshments. Clinical dietary requirements will be catered for. You will be asked to state if you have any medical food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking.

No. Your ticket confirmation will be emailed to you via the email address you provide at booking via Eventbrite. Once you arrive at the festival, give your name at the check-in desk and you will be admitted entry.

Of course. You can register for multiple events, however, many take place on the same day. You will need to purchase a separate ticket for each event you wish to attend.

Events will feature compelling speakers from a range of fields and backgrounds sharing their perspectives on our 2025 Power of Connection theme. There will be opportunities at every event for you to hear fresh ideas, take part in engaging conversations, and make meaningful new connections.

All of our venues will cater to accessibility needs whether it be wheelchair accessible or accessible bathrooms.

Refunds can only be requested up to 10 days prior to the event. Refunds may take up to 28 days to process.

You will only be able to register up to two tickets in one booking. If you register for a guest, you will be asked at booking to supply the basic details, contact details and any dietary allergies or intolerances for each guest.

We suggest every attendee is registered separately to have their specific details on record and be able to check them in on the day more easily.

Fellows and non-Fellows alike are welcome to attend our festival events. There is no difference in price for Fellows.

Yes, there is a discounted ticket price for people aged 18-25 available at the point of booking. Please note that you may be asked to provide ID on arrival.

We advise against bringing large items of luggage or bags which you cannot carry with you. Any personal items you choose to bring are at your own risk and the RSA can take no responsibility for any damage or loss.

You cannot bring your own food or beverages to the events. At the London event, lunch is included in the ticket price and there will be refreshment stations providing complimentary drinks throughout the day.

There will be a photographer and videographer present at the London Fellows Festival and at various regional events. Please email your area manager before the event to let them know if you wish to be excluded from filming or stills.

If you have any further questions in regard to the Fellows Festival, get in contact with us via fellowship@rsa.org.uk or call us on 020 7451 6939.