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Three cartoonish, round characters with short arms and legs in a line against a purple background. The character on the left is pink and orange, the middle is green and blue, and the right is dark teal and pink. Each has simple yellow eyes, a pink nose, and rounded ear-like protrusions.
4 – 8 Oct 2026

Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2026

4 – 8 Oct 2026

  • Venue
    Quarry & Courtyard Theatres
  • Age guidance
  • Content Advisories
    Find out more

LIFI returns to Leeds Playhouse this October, once again presenting a captivating and thought-provoking programme for all who attend. 

Featuring an exceptional line-up of speakers, performers, and thought leaders from across the globe, themes under discussion range from belonging and parenting to climate and disability. 

Join speakers including Louis Theroux, Elizabeth Day, Evelyn Glennie, Harriet Harman, James O’Brien, Chris Packham, and Tim Minchin who will be providing engaging dialogue to challenge and connect audiences.

Priority booking opens 4 Jun 2026 only for customers with a valid priority booking code. General booking opens 10 Jun 2026. Enter your priority booking code at checkout.

Fireside Discussions

Last few

LIFI26: Louis Theroux – Inside the Louisphere

6 Oct 2026

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Join Louis for an intimate fireside conversation about the stories we tell ourselves and each other.

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Last few

LIFI26: Elizabeth Day – Failure is an option

7 Oct 2026

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On vulnerability, resilience, and turning setbacks into catalysts for constructive change.

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LIFI26: Tasha Ghouri & Evelyn Glennie – Strength beyond the silence

8 Oct 2026

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What does it take to succeed when the world isn’t built with you in mind?

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LIFI26: Dr Mya-Rose Craig, Juergen Maier CBE and Chris Packham CBE – The planet hasn’t stopped burning

8 Oct 2026

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Join Chris Packham and expert guests for a thought-provoking discussion about our beautiful planet.

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Sold out

LIFI26: Tim Minchin – Creativity among the chaos

10 Oct 2026

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Tim Minchin is a global superstar who has spent two decades making art that argues.

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Panel Discussions

LIFI26: How do we talk about suicide?

7 Oct 2026

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A sensitive and thought-provoking debate about how we talk about suicide.

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Is maths the root of everything?

7 Oct 2026

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Last few

LIFI26: What did the 90s really do to us?

9 Oct 2026

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The 90s: the era of New Labour and Cool Britannia, Britpop and rave culture.

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LIFI26: Is it time to switch off social media?

9 Oct 2026

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In a world of AI-generated content and mis/disinformation, has social media started to control us?

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Last few

LIFI26: We all belong here, don’t we?

10 Oct 2026

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What does it really mean to belong in Britain today?

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LIFI26: Are kids still part of the plan?

10 Oct 2026

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As ideals around family, freedom, and career fulfilment shift, what does it mean for society’s future?

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Audio Flyer

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Soundcloud

MAJOR FUNDERS

  • Arts Council
  • Leeds City Council
  • LTB Foundation
  • Founded by UK government
  • Suppoprted by west Yorkshire

Principal Partner

  • Caddick Group

Principal Access Partner

  • Irwin Mitchell