Frequently Asked Questions

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AutomataFest is a three-day opportunity for makers, collectors, enthusiasts, and the simply curious to experience the vibrant UK automata scene. Learn from leading automatists, meet fellow enthusiasts, and view some of the finest contemporary automata in action.

For fun! This is a unique event in the UK and a rare opportunity to inhabit the world of contemporary automata. You will also be supporting Cabaret Mechanical Theatre's not-for-profit CIC (Community Interest Company) and Automata Magazine in our efforts to make the world a better place through encouraging the making of and learning about automata.

We'd love to make it affordable for everybody but we have a number of fixed costs to cover -- mainly the event-space hire costs and insurance. Although this first year is partly an experiment, we're still putting together a great line-up of events. Everyone we know is very excited about it and we think that attendees will find the ticket price to be a great value. In any case, we'll be gathering feedback as we go, so let us know what you think!

Right?! We keep asking that too! It's a difficult thing to get right but if you'd like to contribute further you can make a donation to our not-for-profit CIC or take out a subscription to Automata Magazine. Thank you!

Hastings is the home of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre and its Mechanical Making Space. In addition to that, Hastings, on the south coast of England, is a great place to visit, with lots of other things to see and do nearby if you have extra time on either side of AutomataFest. You might be interested in our Automata Map of the UK.

May 9th, 10th & 11th 2025. 

Thursday 8th May - Early Registration & Welcome Drink 5-8 pm

Friday 9th May - Doors Open 9am - Full programme of talks & discussions from 10.30 to 5.30 pm

Saturday 10th May - Doors Open 9am - Full programme of talks & discussions from 10am to 5.30 pm

Sunday 11th May - 10am - 5pm - Open programme of displays, demonstrations and making activities.

Hastings train station is a 7 minute walk from the venue. There are regular trains from London; the journey time is approx 1hr 35m. We have a page with more travel information, but please get in touch if you need more help.

Automata Magazine, Paul Spooner, Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, Tim Hunkin, Henrietta Boex, Michael & Maria Start, Teun de Wijs, Lisa Slater, Oliver Pett, The MAD Museum, Carlos Zapata, Kim Booth, Sarah Reast (Timberkits), Loulou Cousin, Stephen Guy, Fi Henshall, Ivan Morgan and more…

Keep an eye on the programme page!

Day tickets may be released later in the year depending on capacity. Please sign up to our Mailing List to be notified.

No. This is an in-person event and will not be live-streamed or recorded for later broadcast.

Our initial intent is for AutomataFest occur every other year. If this year's event is an overwhelming success, we might have to reconsider. At this point, though, if you miss this year's event, you'll have to wait until 2027. This decision was made so that AutomataFest does not coincide or conflict with AutomataCon, which is held in the USA, in May, in AutomataFest's off years.

If you can't make it this year, we invite you to use the form on this page to join our newsletter list and find out what the future holds.

We will have a limited number of tables for commercial exhibitors. These will cost £120 in addition to your ticket price. There will be an application form available soon. There's also an opportunity to show your work as a non-commercial exhibitor - see the 'Can I bring a piece...' FAQ.

We will have opportunities for non-commercial attendees to show their work too. There will be an application form available soon.

The Observer Building and The Mechanical Making Space are wheelchair accessible. Carers will not require tickets but please contact us to arrange this.

Please contact us if you have other access queries.

Send us a message via our contact page and we'll do our best to answer.

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2025
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