Welcome to York Festival of Ideas 2026
Join us for York Festival of Ideas 2026 as we explore 'Place and Space' with over 200 mostly free in-person and online events designed to educate, entertain and inspire.
Made possible by the generosity of our supporters and donors, the Festival - which is led by the University of York - features world-class speakers, performances, exhibitions, tours, family-friendly activities, and much more. And with topics ranging from archaeology to art, history to health and politics to psychology, the programme promises something for all ages and interests.
Browse our diverse programme - by theme, date or format - and find out everything you need to know about the Festival.
Please note: All event timings are British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1), so please check your specific time zone if you are joining us for online events from outside the UK.
Our Future, Our North: Building jobs and prosperity
Wednesday 10 June
Discover how the Darlington Economic Campus is driving economic growth, creating new job opportunities and benefitting the pockets of everyone in the North of England. Expert speakers include Tom Riordan, the government’s first envoy dedicated to northern growth.
This Little World: Tudor narratives of India and England
Tuesday 9 June 2026, 8pm to 9pm
'I’m so proud that York hosts such a fantastic, ambitious festival. Each year it gets better, offering access to an incredible range of subjects and speakers that are stimulating, fun and thought-provoking. It’s a real cultural highlight and something I look forward to every year.'
Feedback from a 2025 Festival attendee