Still time to book: five LIFI26 conversations worth grabbing before they go

Leeds International Festival of Ideas returns to Leeds Playhouse from 6–10 October 2026, and plenty of the headline names have already sold out or are close to it. The good news? A handful of its most talked-about conversations still have tickets for now. Here are five worth booking before they’re gone.

How do we talk about suicide? — Wednesday 7 October, 7.30–9pm, Courtyard. A sensitive, important discussion about one of society’s hardest conversations, and why talking openly is one of the biggest steps towards prevention and hope. Hosted by Amy Irons, with a panel including Roman Kemp, Professor Rory O’Connor, Donelle Lawrence, Ellie Palma Cass and Andy Airey MBE.

The planet hasn’t stopped burning — Thursday 8 October, 8–9.30pm, Quarry Theatre. Climate may have slipped down the political agenda, but the crisis hasn’t gone anywhere. TV naturalist, Chris Packham CBE hosts a frank conversation about climate fatigue, political inaction and the fight to keep the planet on the radar, joined by ornithologist and activist Dr Mya-Rose Craig and industrialist Juergen Maier CBE.

Strength beyond the silence — Thursday 8 October, 7.30–9pm, Courtyard. An inspiring fireside chat with deaf percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie and a speical guest announced next week, hosted by Dr Hannah French, on inclusion, resilience and rewriting what’s expected of you.

Is it time to switch off social media? — Friday 9 October, 7.30–9pm, Courtyard. We check our phones more than 100 times a day — so what is it doing to us? BBC cyber correspondent Joe Tidy hosts a panel on AI content, misinformation and influencer culture, with Dr Sophie Bishop, Mark Farid, Katy Leeson and Megan McKenna.

Are kids still part of the plan? — Saturday 10 October, 2–3.30pm, Courtyard. The Saturday afternoon has become LIFI’s “Glastonbury legends slot” over the years — home to everything from heated politics debates to an eye-watering conversation on neurodivergence. This year’s subject has rarely been out of the news: with birth rates falling, it digs into the cultural, economic and emotional forces reshaping modern parenthood. Hosted by Laura Hamilton, with Dr SJ Beard, Yousra Samir Imran and Betty Mukherjee. Already selling fast.

And if you want the big-room names, move fast: only a handful of tickets remain for Elizabeth Day: Failure is an Option (Wednesday 7 October, 8pm, hosted by Jamil Qureshi), and just around 20 are left for What Did the 90s Really Do to Us? — the Britpop-and-Cool-Britannia reunion with Denise van Outen, Harriet Harman, Judge Jules and Jason McGann, hosted by Miranda Sawyer (Friday 9 October, 8pm, Quarry Theatre).

Full programme and tickets at leedsinternationalfestival.com.