Inside Leeds International Festival of Ideas - the events set to get the city talking

Leeds is set to become a meeting place for big ideas, bold conversations and challenging questions as the Leeds International Festival of Ideas returns next week.

From politics and culture to technology, science and the issues shaping everyday life, the festival will bring together an eclectic mix of speakers and audiences to explore some of the biggest questions facing society today.

With a packed programme of talks, debates and events across the city the event takes place between October 6 and 10 and organisers say there are limited tickets for the return of the event organised by Leeds BiD.

Festival Director Martin Dickson said: “I can honestly say I've never been more excited about a programme.

“Louis Theroux opens the festival on Tuesday night in the Quarry Theatre. By Saturday, Ashley James will be on stage on the final night, before Tim Minchin brings the week home. In between, there is a lot to talk about.”

He added: “A subject close to me is the sheer scale of change that happened in the 90s. It brought change to all our lives, from tech to politics to music and TV culture with Judge Jules, Denise Van Outen and Harriet Harmer.

“Climate. Mental health. Identity. Parenthood. The 90s. Social media. Belonging. Big subjects, and the kind of conversations that carry on long after you've left the building. That's the whole point.

“This year we're also launching LIFI Futures, our new home for young people at the festival. Three free events for schools and colleges, plus a public event, giving young people from across Leeds a seat at the table and a microphone in their hand.”

Events include

Earlier in the week, naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham CBE asks why the environment has slipped down the political agenda meanwhile double GRAMMY-winning solo percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, profoundly deaf since childhood, shares a journey that redefines the sound of success.

Sunday Times bestselling author and “How to Fail” podcaster Elizabeth Day brings her chart-topping conversation on resilience and self-limiting beliefs to the Quarry on Wednesday, October 7, in a fireside chat that has sold out venues from The London Palladium to Sydney Opera House.

And on Friday, October 9, singer and TV personality Tulisa Contostavlos joins the panel, asking whether it’s finally time to switch off social media, a frank conversation on influencer culture, doomscrolling, and the platforms shaping modern life from someone who has lived inside them.

Wednesday, October 7

In the evening, broadcaster Amy Irons hosts How Do We Talk About Suicide?, a panel featuring Andy Airey MBE of 3 Dads Walking, Roman Kemp, Donelle Lawrence of The Brave Project, Professor Rory O'Connor and Ellie Palma-Cass of Epic Hope. Positioned around conversation rather than cause, it asks how media, mates and masculinity shape the way we talk — or don't — about one of society's hardest subjects.

The night closes with bestselling author and podcaster Elizabeth Day in a fireside chat titled Failure Is An Option, hosted by Jamil Qureshi. A wide-ranging conversation on resilience, self-limiting beliefs, and why setbacks might be the most valuable data we ever collect.

Thursday, October 8

Strength Beyond The Silence brings together two extraordinary voices: percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie hosted by Dr Hannah French. A conversation about resilience, identity, and finding strength in the spaces other people overlook.

Later, The Planet Hasn't Stopped Burning sees naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham CBE host Dr Mya-Rose Craig and Juergen Maier CBE for a frank conversation about why the environment has slipped off the political agenda — and what it will take to put it back.

Friday, October 9

In the evening, BBC cyber correspondent Joe Tidy hosts Is It Time To Switch Off Social Media?, joined by Dr Sophie Bishop, Mark Farid, Katy Leeson and Tulisa Contostavlos for a panel on the platforms shaping — and warping — modern life.

Meanwhile, What Did The 90s Really Do To Us? is a deep dive into the decade that arguably changed everything. Music journalist Miranda Sawyer hosts Harriet Harman, Judge Jules, Jason McGann and Denise van Outen for a conversation on Britpop, Blair, the birth of the internet and the cultural fallout we're still living with.

Saturday, October 10

The final day opens with Are Kids Still Part Of The Plan?, hosted by Laura Hamilton with Dr SJ Beard, Yousra Samir Imran, Betty Mukherjee and Olivia Bentley. Birth rates are falling fast across the developed world — this panel asks why, and what it means for the societies we're choosing to leave behind.

In the evening, broadcaster Samira Ahmed hosts We All Belong Here, Don't We?, joined by Afua Hirsch, Ashley James, James O'Brien and Ash Palmisciano. From identity and immigration to feminism and community, an unflinching conversation about what belonging means in a fractured Britain.

The festival closes with Tim Minchin in a fireside chat titled Creativity Among The Chaos, hosted by Larry Budd. A career-spanning conversation taking in Matilda the Musical, three decades of songwriting, and Minchin's refreshingly clear-eyed views on living a creative life.

Tickets

For more details visit leedsintfest.com.

LIFI26 is brought to the city by LeedsBID and Welcome to Leeds, supported by AV Matrix, City of Maths, Pinsent Mason, Weightmans and Leeds Playhouse.