First Three Names Revealed for LIFI26

Tim Minchin, Ashley James and Dr Mya-Rose Craig kick off the line up for Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2026, taking place 6 to 10 October at Leeds Playhouse.

We are thrilled to lift the lid on the first three names joining us for LIFI26, and what a way to start. This October, Leeds Playhouse will once again become home to five days of brilliant conversation, big thinking and ideas worth gathering for, and the bill is already shaping up beautifully.

Leading the charge is Tim Minchin, the musician, writer, actor and comedian whose CV reads like a love letter to creative range. The Olivier and Helpmann Award winning, Tony and Grammy nominated mind behind Matilda the Musical and Groundhog Day, Tim has filled rooms from The Royal Albert Hall to The Sydney Opera House to Wembley Arena. His most recent tours, An Unfunny Evening With Tim Minchin and his Piano and Songs The World Will Never Hear, have sold hundreds of thousands of tickets across three continents, and his 2025 album Tim Minchin Time Machine landed at number one in Australia. A member of the Order of Australia, holder of three honorary doctorates and the Sunday Times bestselling author of You Don’t Have to Have a Dream, he brings three decades of songwriting, storytelling and razor sharp social commentary to our stage.

Joining him is Ashley James, the Sunday Times number one bestselling author of BIMBO and a regular social and political commentator on ITV’s This Morning. A broadcaster, DJ and mum of two, Ashley has become one of the UK’s most recognisable feminist voices, taking on sexism, culture wars, women’s health, motherhood and modern womanhood with intelligence, warmth and proper bite. Her debut book BIMBO sparked a national conversation about the labels that shrink women, from “bossy” to “bimbo”, and how we reclaim our confidence in a world that profits from our silence. With a community of more than 700,000 followers and a long standing commitment to charities including Girlguiding and Women’s Aid, her LIFI26 appearance promises to be frank, funny and fearless.

Completing our opening trio is Dr Mya-Rose Craig, birder, environmentalist and race activist. Mya-Rose started her Birdgirl blog at 11, launched 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. She campaigns against palm oil and plastic pollution, fights for the human rights of indigenous peoples, and her memoir Birdgirl tells the story of how she found solace in nature while growing up with a mother living with severe bipolar disorder. She brings a vital voice to LIFI26 on the intersections of nature, equality and the future of our planet.

Together, these three set the tone for what LIFI26 is all about: bringing together the sharpest, most original minds across disciplines and sparking ideas that challenge and inspire us.

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.”

And there’s plenty more to come. Our full programme of panel discussions and fireside chats will be revealed on 3 June 2026, with topics spanning politics, culture, science, society and beyond.

Get first access to tickets

LIFI newsletter subscribers always get first dibs, with priority access to tickets 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 secure first access and the best prices.

LIFI is brought to the city by LeedsBID and Welcome to Leeds, supported by Weightman, City of Maths, Pinsent Mason and AV Matrix.

We cannot wait to see you at Leeds Playhouse this October.