The digital creation of virtual environments has opened many doors for the creation of new experiences, offering the trend of ever immersive, engaging and multi-sensory virtual reality (VR) experiences. However, studies on VR within the science festival context are limited. Therefore, with a focus on usability and gratifications, this study aims to explore the antecedents of the behavioral intention to use VR at science festivals. Before participating in a questionnaire, 447 users experienced a VR application and data were analyzed using structural equation modelling. Findings reveal that usability influences gratification factors which influence users’ behavioral intention to engage with science