Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2025

Life in Leeds

Sarah Djuric

Posted 1 week ago

Wed 17 Sep, 2025 12:09 AM

Explore fresh ideas this October with LIFI25

Feed your mind with fresh ideas as this year’s Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI) hits the city.

LIFI is back for 2025 with an unmissable programme of ideas, impact and inspiration and an enviable line-up of speakers, featuring hip-hop legends and comedy icons to fearless writers and world-class campaigners.

Its thought-provoking blend of panels, talks and performance tackle some of society’s biggest questions, from power and politics to parenthood, identity and resilience.

Running from Tuesday 14th-Saturday 18th October, this year’s festival welcomes globally renowned names including David Baddiel, Emily Campbell, Chuck D, William Hanson, Myleene Klass MBE, Vicky McClure MBE, Caitlin Moran, Fara Williams MBE, and many more.

Discussions delve into major issues facing society today from geopolitics and gender equalities in sport to toxic masculinity and domestic abuse while its fireside chats explore hip hop, rebellious female depictions and faith.

Tickets are selling fast, but you can still get tickets for events including:

William Hanson: Manners cost nowt – join etiquette expert and star of “Help I Sexted My Boss" podcast William Hanson for an entertaining voyage through quirks and customs.

How level is the playing field? – A hard-hitting debate on gender equality in sport, featuring Fara Williams MBE, Verity Smith, Emily Campbell and more.

Why do we need to talk about domestic abuse? Newsnight host Victoria Derbyshire hosts a panel of survivors, support providers and experts speaking up and speaking out about this taboo subject.

Music is medicine – how the arts offer hope in life with dementia - BAFTA-winning actor Vicky McClure MBE brings her inspiring project to Leeds with a moving mix of music and conversation, with a live performance by Our Dementia Choir.