Leeds International Festival of Ideas Returns with New Events

Festival set for 6 to 10 October at Leeds Playhouse

The Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI) is scheduled to take place from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 October 2026 at Leeds Playhouse. The event will feature a series of talks, debates, and live sessions over five days, with a programme that includes a variety of speakers from different fields.

New additions to the programme

One of the new panellists confirmed for the festival is Olivia Bentley, known for her work as a television personality and mental health advocate. Bentley will participate in the session titled Are kids still part of the plan? on Saturday 10 October from 2pm to 3.30pm in the Courtyard Theatre. The discussion will also feature BBC Radio 5 Live broadcaster Johnny I’Anson and will be hosted by Laura Hamilton. Other participants include Dr SJ Beard, Yousra Samir Imran, and Betty Mukherjee. The session aims to explore issues surrounding falling birth rates and the decisions around parenthood.

LIFI Futures expands youth engagement

Following the launch of Young LIFI in 2025 as a single event for schools, the festival has expanded this initiative into LIFI Futures for 2026. This programme consists of four events focused on topics relevant to young people in Leeds, such as identity, apprenticeships, employment, and mathematics.

• Three of the LIFI Futures events will be free and accessible through schools, colleges, and universities across the city.
• The fourth event, titled Is maths the root of everything?, is open to the public and celebrates Leeds’s recognition as the UK’s first City of Maths.

BBC Newsround presenter Shanequa Paris will host the event How to be unapologetically you? on Friday 9 October. The panel will include Tasha Ghouri, Dr Radha Modgil, Ash Palmisciano, and Stevie Ward. Further speakers for the remaining LIFI Futures events are expected to be announced soon.

Other notable speakers and ticket information

The wider festival programme includes appearances by Chris Packham CBE, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Elizabeth Day, Samira Ahmed, James O’Brien, Afua Hirsch, Roman Kemp, Harriet Harman, Denise van Outen, Rachel Riley MBE, among others. Some events have already sold out.

Tickets are available for purchase at leedsintfest.com. LeedsBID levy payers can use the code LEEDSBID20 to receive a 20% discount on selected events.