Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI) returns to Leeds Playhouse this October, promising four days of engaging dialogue, profound connections, and boundless curiosity.

With an exceptional lineup of worldwide speakers, performers, and thought leaders, LIFI24 promises to captivate and challenge attendees with its diverse topics.

Among the luminaries headlining LIFI24, running from 2-5 October, are esteemed figures from various fields, including journalism, entertainment, science, and technology. Notable names scheduled to grace the festival stages include Kate Adie, Stacey Dooley, Kate Garraway, Goldie, Paterson Joseph, Nile Rodgers, Rylan, Rebecca Lucy Taylor aka Self Esteem, Tim Spector, Carol Vorderman, Matt Willis and many more.

LIFI24 will feature an impressive lineup of panel discussions, each exploring crucial themes relevant to contemporary society, and fireside chats. Panellists will delve into pressing issues spanning addiction, artificial intelligence, care, neurodiversity, and the impact of reality TV on our perception of reality. Fireside chats will cover the evolution of creativity, the intricate realm of conflict reporting and the portrayal of war to unravelling the mysteries of gut health and nutrition and confronting archaic portrayals of women in the media, sparking a dialogue on whether the media needs to step up and evolve.

Attendees can expect thought-provoking insights, lively debates, and innovative perspectives.

Martin Dickson, Festival Director, said: “The power of LIFI to bring the people of Leeds together and have a courageous, open, and honest conversation about major issues affecting us all in society today is one of the unique elements that sets this festival apart. There’s nothing as bold, confident, or influential in the UK today as a people-focused festival.”

James Brining, Artistic Director and CEO of Leeds Playhouse, said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting Leeds International Festival of Ideas for a second year, building on this strong partnership and welcoming some incredible artists, each with fascinating and inspiring stories to tell.”

Tickets go on sale on Friday 10^th May at 10am.

Visit leedsintfest.com to explore the full programme.