La Palma to Honour Queen Legend Brian May with a Star on its Famous Science Walk

It is a moment that beautifully marries the two great loves of his life. Sir Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, is also a dedicated astrophysicist and a co-founder of the STARMUS festival. This October, the island of La Palma will say “thank you” in the most fitting way imaginable: by placing his name among the stars on its celebrated Paseo de las Estrellas y la Ciencia. The tribute is a cornerstone of STARMUS VIII, a festival that promises to turn the Canary Islands into the world’s stage for science and music.

For anyone who has ever looked up at a dark La Palma sky, the gesture feels profoundly right. The island is a world-renowned stargazing sanctuary, protected by strict light-pollution laws. Its science walk already honours giants like Stephen Hawking and cosmonaut Alexei Leonov. Now, the man who wrote “We Will Rock You” and earned a PhD in astrophysics will join them, cementing his unique legacy in the volcanic soil of the Isla Bonita.

A Star is Born on the Paseo de las Estrellas

The official ceremony will see the unveiling of Brian May’s star on the Paseo de las Estrellas y la Ciencia, a charming promenade that has become a place of pilgrimage for science lovers. The walk already glitters with dedications to Nobel laureates and space pioneers, but this new addition carries a special, cross-cultural spark. It recognises not only his global musical journey with Queen but also his tireless work as a science communicator and the co-creative force behind STARMUS, a festival he founded with astrophysicist Garik Israelian.

While the exact date and time of the unveiling are yet to be announced by the festival organisers, the event is confirmed as a key highlight of the La Palma programme. Local authorities have expressed their pride in welcoming Sir Brian back to an island that feels like a second home for the STARMUS community. The ceremony is expected to draw a mix of scientists, artists, and fans, all gathering to witness a rock icon take his place on a walkway dedicated to human curiosity.

STARMUS VIII: A Festival of Truth on Two Islands

The star ceremony is part of a much larger celebration. STARMUS VIII, running from 17 to 22 October 2026, is co-hosted by the islands of Tenerife and La Palma under the evocative theme “The Search for Truth.” The festival is a unique blend of Nobel laureate lectures, astronaut panels, and world-class concerts. The Canary Islands’ government and the island councils of both Tenerife and La Palma are key collaborators, ensuring the event feels deeply rooted in the archipelago.

Brian May is not just a guest of honour; he is a core part of the festival’s DNA. He sits on the STARMUS Advisory Board alongside other luminaries like Dr. Jane Goodall, Peter Gabriel, and Jean-Michel Jarre. His presence on La Palma will be a homecoming of sorts, a return to the dark skies that perfectly illustrate the festival’s mission to connect science and art. The programme on La Palma is designed to take full advantage of this unique environment.

From the World’s Largest Telescope to a Historic Theatre

Beyond the star ceremony, the La Palma leg of STARMUS VIII is packed with extraordinary events. One of the most anticipated is the “108 Minutes” event, set to take place at the iconic Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory. This is one of the world’s most powerful optical telescopes, perched high above the clouds. The event’s name is a poetic nod to Yuri Gagarin’s first spaceflight, promising a deeply immersive experience at the frontier of astronomy.

The festival will also bring science to the heart of the island’s capital with a public conference at the historic Teatro Circo de Marte in Santa Cruz de La Palma. To close the La Palma chapter, British composer Ilan Eshkeri is scheduled to present his concert “Space Station Earth,” a musical and visual journey that promises to be a fitting finale. However, it is important to note that the organisers have stated that specific timings, full participant lists, and public access details for all these events will be announced soon. Nothing is set in stone yet, so a little patience is required.

Looking Back at a Stellar Precedent

This is not the first time La Palma has rolled out the red carpet for its STARMUS heroes. In April 2025, the island hosted a similar ceremony at the Hotel Meliá La Palma in Puerto Naos. On that sunny Saturday morning, commemorative plaques were presented to both Brian May and Jane Goodall, with the president of the Cabildo, Sergio Rodríguez, and STARMUS director Garik Israelian in attendance. That event was a more intimate affair, a board ceremony that set the stage for the public star dedication we are now anticipating.

The 2025 festival also gives us a glimpse of the festival’s spirit, though we must be careful not to assume everything will be the same. Last year, STARMUS La Palma was a completely free and open event for the public. The Starmus Band, led by Brian May, played a legendary free concert in Puerto de Tazacorte. Whether the 2026 edition will follow the same model of free access is currently unconfirmed. The festival has grown, and the format may evolve. For now, we can only look back at those magical, cost-free nights under the stars as a beautiful memory, while waiting for concrete news about October.