Leeds International Festival of Ideas Announces 2026 Programme

Festival to run from 6th to 10th October with diverse speakers and discussions

The Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI) has revealed its full line-up for the 2026 event, scheduled to take place from Tuesday 6th to Saturday 10th October. The festival will be hosted at Leeds Playhouse, utilising its Quarry and Courtyard spaces for a series of daytime and evening sessions.

Programme Highlights

The festival will feature a range of events including fireside chats and panel discussions addressing contemporary social issues and cultural themes. Among the notable speakers are broadcaster Louis Theroux, musician and comedian Tim Minchin, author Elizabeth Day, naturalist Chris Packham CBE, radio presenter James O’Brien, and television personalities Roman Kemp, Vicky Pattison, and Megan McKenna.

Key events include:

• Louis Theroux opening the festival with a fireside chat reflecting on his broadcasting career spanning four decades.
• Elizabeth Day presenting a conversation on resilience and self-limiting beliefs on Wednesday 7th October.
• Tim Minchin closing the festival with a discussion on creativity and chaos.

Panel Discussions

The festival programme also includes panel discussions that explore significant topics such as:

• Suicide and mental health
• The cultural legacy of the 1990s
• The future of parenthood
• Belonging in modern Britain

Venue and Ticket Information

All events will be held at Leeds Playhouse, located in the city centre. Tickets for the festival will be available for general sale from 9am on 10th June. Further information about the programme and ticket purchasing can be found on the festival’s official website: leedsinternationalfestival.com.