Leeds Lit Fest 2026: 6 – 14 June, Save The Date

Get ready to clear the calendar, because the award-winning Leeds Lit Fest is making its grand return for its eighth year. Book lovers, storytellers, and anyone who just enjoys a good dose of creativity should circle the dates from Saturday 6th to Sunday 14th of June 2026. This isn't just any old event; it's a city-wide celebration of words, thoughts, and brilliant ideas. The festival is set to take over all sorts of creative spaces across Leeds, promising a packed programme of events designed to bring the entire community together. With a history of getting bigger and better each year, the 2026 edition is shaping up to be something special, filled with famous authors, local writers, and incredible performers.

So what's the plan for Leeds Lit Fest 2026?

Think of it as a massive party for everything to do with literature. The organisers are planning a huge schedule that caters to absolutely everyone. Whether someone is a serious bookworm who knows their classics or just someone who enjoys listening to a good story, there will be something to catch their interest. The Leeds Lit Fest is all about mixing it up, bringing famous names from the national literary scene to share the stage with talented writers, poets, and performers from right here in Leeds and West Yorkshire. This blend of local and far-flung talent is what gives the festival its unique energy. It’s a chance for the city to show off its incredible creative talent while also getting inspired by authors from further afield.

Joe Williams, a writer, poet, and key member of the festival's steering group, shared his excitement about the upcoming programme. “Leeds Lit Fest is community-focused, and anyone can take part. We’ve had loads of submissions to be part of this year’s programme with a wide and diverse range of people wanting to get involved,” he said. “There’ll be open mics, workshops, storytelling, poetry, author events and lots of fun stuff. We can’t wait to tell everyone about it.” This really sums up the festival's spirit. It’s not a stuffy, exclusive affair. It’s an open invitation for the whole community to get involved in the arts.

So, what kind of things can people expect? Here's a little taste of the events planned:

• Author Events: Opportunities to hear from favourite writers, listen to them read from their work, and maybe even ask them a question or two.

• Poetry and Spoken Word: Powerful performances from talented poets and storytellers that can be funny, moving, and thought-provoking all at once.

• Creative Workshops: Hands-on sessions where attendees can try their hand at writing, whether it's poetry, short stories, or something else entirely. These workshops are great for all skill levels.

• Open Mics: Brave souls can get up and share their own work in a friendly and supportive space.

A festival for everyone, by everyone

One of the most brilliant things about the Leeds Lit Fest is how it's run. It’s what’s known as a Community Interest Company, or CIC for short. In simple terms, this means it’s a non-profit organisation that exists to benefit the community, not to make stacks of cash for shareholders. The whole thing is powered by a team of dedicated volunteers and partner organisations who are passionate about literature and the arts in Leeds. This grassroots approach creates a special atmosphere. It feels like a festival that truly belongs to the city and its people, championing the local literary scene with genuine heart.

This community focus is what makes the programme so rich and diverse. It’s a huge collaboration between organisations like Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds Libraries, and Chapel FM, all working together to celebrate writing in every form. Speaking at a recent open mic fundraising event, visual storyteller Luke Walwyn captured this feeling perfectly. “I really appreciated the level of talent on show. Everyone – from first timers to more experienced poets – shared something genuinely personal and distinctive. It was a generous space to connect with fellow creatives, to listen, and to feel inspired. I’m very much looking forward to their next event and I hope they raise a lot of money for the Festival.”

Getting involved and showing support

Putting on a nine-day festival jam-packed with amazing events is a massive undertaking, especially for a volunteer-run CIC that doesn't receive a lot of major national or local funding. This is where the support of the wider community comes in. The organisers are always looking for help through partnerships, sponsorships, and donations to keep the literary magic happening. Every bit of support helps them to stage the fantastic annual programme and bring new voices and ideas to the city.

Fiona Gell, the Director of the Leeds Lit Fest CIC, made a passionate call for support. She said, “Leeds Lit Fest’s annual programme is a highlight of Leeds’ cultural calendar. We’re always excited to showcase and support the rich writing talent that is in the city and to bring new voices, ideas and creativity to Leeds. In this National Year of Reading, it is a great opportunity to connect readers of all ages even more closely with writers, poets, storytellers and performers.”

She continued, “However, we need help to do this. We are a volunteer run organisation and get little external funding. We have a very “can do” attitude, we work extremely hard to make what resources we do have go as far as possible and passionately believe in supporting our local talent. We have set up a GoFundMe page for Leeds Lit Fest and will be continuing with our fundraising events in the lead up to the Festival. If you can help us with a small donation, we would be very grateful or if you would like to sponsor an event please get in touch!” For anyone wanting to chip in, the GoFundMe page is a great way to show some love. This fundraising is essential for ensuring the festival can continue to thrive and offer its amazing events.

More than just a festival

This isn't just any old gathering of book fans. The Leeds Lit Fest has serious credentials. Back in 2022, it won the Best Literary Festival prize at the national Saboteur Awards for the second time, which is a massive achievement that recognises its incredible contribution to the literature scene. The festival is a key part of the cultural fabric of Leeds, celebrating the vibrant and thriving world of words that exists right across the city. The full programme and ticket information will be released closer to the time, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on the official website, www.leedslitfest.co.uk, and its social media channels. So, save the dates: Saturday 6th to Sunday 14th June 2026. It's going to be a brilliant week of stories, poetry, creativity, and community connection.