'The biggest yet': Leeds Lit Fest announces dates for 2026 season - but they need your help this year
Leeds Lit Fest is returning in 2026 with organisers promising their biggest edition yet.
The eighth edition of the award-winning festival will once again transform creative spaces across the city into a vibrant celebration of words and thought, with this year's event carrying even more weight as a cornerstone of the National Year of Reading 2026, a UK-wide campaign aimed at rekindling a love for books and storytelling.
For those who are now looking to save the date - mark your diaries, as the 2026 season will take place from June 6-14 in locations across the city and wider parts of Leeds.
Help, however, is being requested by the organisers this year.
Unlike many major festivals, Leeds Lit Fest is a volunteer-run Community Interest Company (CIC) that puts the city's local writing communities at the very heart of its programming, and as a volunteer-led organisation, the festival's ambitious 2026 programme continues to be staged without significant local or national funding.
Fiona Gell, Director of Leeds Lit Fest CIC, explained that while the team has a "very ‘can-do’ attitude" and works extremely hard to make resources stretch, they urgently need help to continue supporting local talent.
She highlighted that this year’s National Year of Reading is a perfect opportunity to connect readers and writers, but stressed, “However, we need help to do this. We have set up a GoFundMe page for Leeds Lit Fest and will be continuing with our fundraising events in the lead up to the Festival.
If you can help us with a small donation, we would be very grateful.”
This sentiment was echoed by visual storyteller Luke Walwyn following a recent fundraiser at Hyde Park Book Club, where he praised the "generous space to connect with fellow creatives" and expressed his hope that the public would rally together to raise the necessary money for the festival.
Organisers are now actively reaching out to attract partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations with businesses and foundations to ensure the richness and diversity of Leeds' literary culture can be celebrated to its full potential this June.
How can I help Leeds Lit Fest in 2026?
While businesses, trusts, foundations, and individual donors can contact organisers directly, there are plenty of things that locals in the city can do to help bring the festival to life.
The team has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover core costs, such as securing creative spaces and ensuring performers are paid fairly.
Additionally, you can support the cause by keeping an eye out for lead-up events, like the recent open mic at Hyde Park Book Club, where proceeds go directly toward the festival fund.
Finally, since the organisation is entirely volunteer-run, they are always looking for help with the physical staging and management of the festival programming. More details on how to volunteer and get involved can be found on the official Leeds Lit Fest website.