LIFI is so back: Tim Minchin, Ashley James and Dr Mya-Rose Craig

Welcome to Leeds, headline partner of Leeds International Festival of Ideas, is delighted to share the first three names confirmed for LIFI26, taking place 6 to 10 October at Leeds Playhouse.

One of the highlights of the Leeds cultural calendar is back, and the line up is already looking very tasty indeed. Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI26) returns to Leeds Playhouse this October, and the first three speakers have just been announced: composer, comedian and writer Tim Minchin, bestselling author and broadcaster Ashley James, and environmentalist and activist Dr Mya-Rose Craig.

As the festival’s headline partner, Welcome to Leeds is proud to once again help bring LIFI to the city. It is exactly the kind of bold, curious, open-minded event that reflects what Leeds does best, and the 2026 edition is shaping up to be the most ambitious yet.

A first look at the lineup

Tim Minchin needs little introduction. The Olivier and Helpmann Award winning, Tony and Grammy nominated composer behind Matilda the Musical and Groundhog Day has filled venues from The Royal Albert Hall to The Sydney Opera House to Wembley Arena. His most recent tours have sold hundreds of thousands of tickets across three continents, his 2025 album Tim Minchin Time Machine reached number one in Australia, and his book You Don’t Have to Have a Dream is a Sunday Times bestseller. At LIFI26 he brings three decades of songwriting, storytelling and sharp social commentary to Leeds.

Ashley James is the Sunday Times number one bestselling author of BIMBO and a regular voice on ITV’s This Morning. A broadcaster, DJ and mum of two, she has built a community of more than 700,000 followers through her work on sexism, culture wars, women’s health and modern womanhood. Her LIFI26 appearance promises a frank, funny and fearless contribution to one of the most important conversations of our time.

Dr Mya-Rose Craig is a birder, environmentalist and race activist who started her Birdgirl blog at 11, founded the diversity in nature charity Black2Nature at 14, and at 17 became the youngest person to see half the world’s bird species and to receive an honorary Doctorate of Science. Her memoir Birdgirl is a powerful read, and her work on climate justice, biodiversity and indigenous rights brings a vital voice to the festival.

A festival made for Leeds

Festival Director Martin Dickson said: “We’re thrilled to be back for another exciting year of LIFI, and these first three names set the tone for what’s to come. Tim, Ashley and Mya-Rose each bring something truly different, music and satire, feminism and cultural commentary, environmental activism and youth voice. LIFI26 is shaping up to be our most ambitious programme yet, and we can’t wait to bring it to Leeds Playhouse this October.”

Shawab Iqbal, Chief Executive of Leeds Playhouse, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Leeds International Festival of Ideas back to Leeds Playhouse for the fourth year running. LIFI26 is exactly the kind of work we want across our theatre spaces, offering bold thinking, open conversation and a platform for the voices shaping the world around us.”

The full LIFI26 programme of panel discussions and keynote talks will be revealed on 3 June 2026, covering politics, culture, science, society and plenty more besides.

How to get tickets

LIFI newsletter subscribers always get first access, with priority booking ahead of general sale and exclusive subscriber pricing on selected events.

• Priority subscriber sale: 4 June 2026

• General sale: 10 June 2026

Sign up at leedsintfest.com to be first in the queue.

LIFI is brought to the city by LeedsBID and Welcome to Leeds, with support from Weightmans, City of Maths, Pinsent Mason and AV Matrix. Keep an eye on Welcome to Leeds for more LIFI26 news as the programme unfolds.