Leeds International Festival of Ideas Attracts Over 6,000 Attendees
October 15, 2026Festival returns with largest programme to date at Leeds Playhouse
The Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI26) welcomed an audience exceeding 6,000 people during its fourth edition, held from 6 to 10 October 2026 at Leeds Playhouse. The event featured a diverse range of talks and debates over five days, marking the biggest programme in the festival’s history.
Programme highlights and notable speakers
The festival opened with a sold-out conversation featuring Louis Theroux and concluded with a performance by Tim Minchin, also sold out. Throughout the week, attendees heard from a variety of speakers including:
- Elizabeth Day
- Chris Packham CBE
- Dr Mya-Rose Craig
- Roman Kemp
- Rachel Riley MBE
- Tasha Ghouri
- Dame Evelyn Glennie
- Tulisa Contostavlos
- Laura Hamilton
- Olivia Bentley
The discussions covered a broad range of topics such as climate change, suicide prevention and men’s mental health, deafness and music, social media, parenthood, identity and belonging, as well as reflections on the legacy of the 1990s.
Introduction of LIFI Futures for young audiences
This year also saw the launch of LIFI Futures, an expanded programme aimed at young people. The initiative included three free events for schools and colleges, along with a public event hosted by Rachel Riley MBE. The programme was linked to Leeds being named the UK’s first City of Maths and received support from City of Maths, Luminate Education Group, and Weightmans.
Festival organisation and funding
The festival is organised by LeedsBID, with Welcome to Leeds as the headline partner. Additional support came from AV Matrix, City of Maths, Pinsent Masons, and Weightmans. Income generated from ticket sales is reinvested into the festival to help fund future programmes.
Festival director’s remarks
Martin Dickson, Festival Director, expressed gratitude towards attendees and highlighted the positive response, stating that audiences found the experience inspiring, thoughtful, and hopeful.
