Leeds Lit Fest 2026 unveils full citywide programme of words, ideas and imagination
Sir Vince Cable, John Hegley and more are set to feature as part of this year’s Leeds Lit Fest over the summer
A vibrant nine-day celebration of storytelling, poetry, and performance is set to take over the city this summer as Leeds Lit Fest returns for its eighth year of words, ideas and imagination.
The award-winning festival brings together acclaimed authors, emerging voices, and independent publishers for more than 50 events across the city - from political heavyweights to underground slam poets, the 2026 programme is designed to inspire every iteration of book lover.
The 2026 headline names reflect the festival’s impressive range, featuring Sir Vince Cable discussing the shifting scales of global power in Eclipsing the West alongside beloved poet and performer John Hegley, who will present New & Selected Potatoes.
In a special nod to the city’s literary spirit, John Hegley shared a custom limerick for the upcoming festivities:
“I know of a writer in Leeds / who reads and who reads and who reads; / of course they write too, / but when planting the new, / what you've read helps you bed in the seeds. / Come to Leeds Literature Fest / to read and to listen... and rest.”
They are joined by award-winning poet Kim Moore, performing from her acclaimed collection The House of Broken Things, and spoken word performer Naomi Wood, who brings her visceral new show Monster to the festival stage.
The festival’s reputation as a powerhouse for spoken word remains strong with standout events such as Rowan McCabe’s Hard Knocks, the high-energy Say Owt Slam, and appearances from Isabella Dorta & Friends.
Those interested in current affairs can explore events like Tackling Climate Change via Fiction with John Ironmonger, Orwell and Spain: The Birth of a Dystopia, and a vital conversation on global rights titled Illegal to be Gay? with Arathi Menon.
Independent publishing and local book culture are also front and centre, featuring the Northern Fiction Alliance Book Fair, a 20th-birthday celebration for Bluemoose Books, and the ever-popular Bookshop Crawl UK.
Joe Williams, a writer, poet, and member of the steering group, notes that the true magic of the festival lies in its variety, placing well-known national names alongside local grassroots writers and promising young talent doing their first-ever public performances.
Creativity and participation are woven into the fabric of the week through sessions like The Worldbuilder Workshop with David Hartley and the Poetry & Rap Workshop with Lence.
For younger writers, there is still time to enter the 400 Words for Leeds 400 children’s writing competition, with this initiative invites entrants from EYFS through to Sixth Form to submit original works of up to 400 words, marking exactly 400 years since Leeds received its Royal Charter in 1626.
Leeds Lit Fest 2026 takes place between June 6 and 14 with more than 50 events. Full programme information and tickets are available now at Leeds Lit Fest’s official website, while a GoFundMe page has been launched to help cover running costs and keep the events accessible.