Retro Computer Festival 2026 (Space Edition)

The Retro Computer Festival returns to The Centre for Computing History on Sunday 15 November, and this time it's the Space Edition. The theme is taken to the extreme: micros and consoles from the 70s, 80s and 90s running space games, plotting the heavens and emulating spacecraft. It's a day for anyone who remembers the era of loading tapes and chunky keyboards, and it's hosted by Dave S. of the Homebrew, Historical and Retro Computing group.

There's a proper line-up to work through. Stephen Clemmet of Cambridge Micrologic will be showing Speech in Space, and John Newcombe is bringing an Apple 1 running Lunar Lander — a real rarity to see in the flesh. John Metcalf is running a Core War Tournament Weekend, and the Big Red Arrow Club will be there too. The museum also invites enthusiasts to bring along their own collections, retro computing mods and state-of-the-art hacks to exhibit alongside the main display, so it's as much about the community showing off their gear as it is about the curated exhibits.

The whole thing runs as part of a hands-on weekend, and all proceeds go to the Computing Museum. Tickets usually sell out in advance, with only a few left on the door when there's space, so it's worth getting yours sorted early rather than leaving it to chance.

It runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at The Centre for Computing History, Rene Court, Coldhams Road, Cambridge CB1 3EW. Tickets are £12 for adults, £8 for children, £10 for concessions and students, £23.50 for a family with one adult, and £34 for a family with two.