Brisbane to host World Science Festival

Brisbane will next year host a world-class science festival, but instead of famous scientists, a former M*A*S*H star is being spruiked as the biggest drawcard.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Friday the Queensland Museum would host the World Science Festival from March 9 next year, becoming the first city outside of New York to do so.

The New York event has featured big names including theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, neurologist Oliver Sacks and evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins.

But the only person confirmed so far for the event is actor Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H and serves on the festival's board.

"There will be some other very big names for the worlds of science and arts coming to Brisbane," Queensland Museum director Suzanne Miller said.

Ms Miller said the other guests would be announced in August, but refused to give any hints.

Ms Palaszczuk said the government had contributed $650,000 to secure the rights for the festival for three years at the museum, with the option to extend for another three years.

"(The festival) will take science out of the laboratory and into the streets, parks, museums, galleries and performing arts venues of Brisbane and regional Queensland," Ms Palaszczuk said.