Leeds Lit Fest 2026 to Celebrate Literature from 6 to 14 June

This summer, the vibrant city of Leeds will come alive with the magic of words as the Leeds Lit Fest 2026 unfolds from Saturday 6 June to Sunday 14 June 2026. Now in its eighth year, this festival is a celebration of storytelling, poetry, and creativity, offering something special for everyone who loves books and ideas.

Exciting Events Await

With more than 50 events scheduled across various venues, Leeds Lit Fest promises a delightful mix of activities, including:

• Live performances

• Engaging conversations

• Creative workshops

• Exhibitions

• Community events

This year's programme is designed to entertain and inspire audiences of all ages, showcasing both renowned authors and emerging talents. Visitors can look forward to discovering new voices and sharing ideas in a welcoming atmosphere.

Star-Studded Line-Up

Among the festival's headline acts are notable names such as:

• Vince Cable, who will discuss global power dynamics in his talk titled Eclipsing the West.

• John Hegley, a poet and performer, presenting his show New & Selected Potatoes.

• Kim Moore, an award-winning poet, sharing her acclaimed collection The House of Broken Things.

• Naomi Wood, a spoken word performer and theatre maker, with her new show Monster.

John Hegley expressed his excitement for the festival, saying:

“I know of a writer in Leeds who reads and who reads and who reads; of course they write too, but when planting the new, what you've read helps you bed in the seeds. Come to Leeds Literature Fest to read and to listen... and rest.”

Poetry and Spoken Word Highlights

Poetry lovers will find plenty to enjoy, with standout events including:

• Rowan McCabe’s Hard Knocks, a unique door-to-door poetry experience.

• Say Owt Slam, an exciting spoken word competition.

• Collaborative performances by the Northern Poets Collective.

• Engaging discussions at Poets Talking Bollocks.

• Community-focused events like Safety in Numbers.

Exploring Big Ideas

For those interested in current affairs and thought-provoking discussions, the festival offers events such as:

• Tackling Climate Change via Fiction with John Ironmonger.

• Orwell and Spain: The Birth of a Dystopia.

• Illegal to be Gay? with Arathi Menon.

Celebrating Independent Publishing

Independent publishing and bookselling will also take centre stage, with highlights including:

• The Northern Fiction Alliance Book Fair.

• A special event for Bluemoose Books celebrating its 20th birthday.

• The Harper North Publisher Workshop.

• The popular Bookshop Crawl UK, a fun way to explore local bookshops.

Hands-On Creativity

The festival is not just about watching and listening; it encourages creativity through hands-on workshops. Some exciting sessions include:

• The Worldbuilder Workshop with David Hartley, who is known for his short fiction.

• Poetry & Rap Workshop with Lence.

• Once Upon a Now Workshop with F R Kesby.

• Leeds Line by Line, where participants can help create a community poem.

Encouraging Young Writers

Young writers have a chance to shine in the festival's 400 Words for Leeds 400 children’s writing competition. This contest invites children and young people from early years to Sixth Form to submit an original piece—be it a story, poem, monologue, or creative non-fiction—of up to 400 words. This initiative celebrates the 400th anniversary of Leeds receiving its Royal Charter in 1626 and aims to inspire the next generation of storytellers.

Get Involved

Leeds Lit Fest 2026 is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to engage with literature and creativity. The festival is run by a dedicated team of volunteers and has quickly become one of the city's most cherished cultural events. It champions accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that all members of the community can enjoy the joy of reading and writing.

To find the full programme and purchase tickets, visit the official festival website at www.leedslitfest.co.uk.