£2 Tickets on the door only

Join us for an exciting Charity Quiz and Raffle Night in support of Deafblind UK. Doors open at 7pm, the evening will bring together friends, families, students, and members of the local community for a fun and engaging night of trivia, prizes, and fundraising. Participants can test their knowledge across a range of quiz rounds while also having the chance to win fantastic raffle prizes, all while supporting an important cause. Every donation raised during the event will help Deafblind UK continue providing vital support, advice, and companionship to people living with combined sight and hearing loss across the UK. Whether you come to compete, socialise, or simply support the charity, the event promises to be an enjoyable evening with a meaningful impact.

Tickets HERE

Cinema Cinètika presents 'Caché' (2005) by Michael Haneke. Join us for a night of film as we watch Haneke's chilling anti-thriller which was rated one of the best 100 films of all time. 

Synopsis

Caché is an eerie anti-thriller about Georges (Daniel Auteuil), a Parisian TV host, and his wife Anne (Juliette Binoche), who are terrorized by anonymous surveillance tapes of their home. The tapes, accompanied by disturbing drawings, force Georges to confront a buried, shameful childhood secret involving an Algerian man named Majid.

Gripping, uncerain and deeply allegorical, this underrated masterpiece by Haneke is not to be missed!

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

The right to protest is under attack — often painted as sinister, dangerous, even illegal. Through their graphic novels, Myfanwy Tristram (Noisy Valley), Scarlett and Sophie Rickard (The Ragged-troused Philanthropists, No Surrender, This Slavery) question this narrative, contextualising the importance of protest and the need to speak up against injustice.

The Rickard Sisters are well known for adaptations of historic stories of suffrage and anti-capitalism, bringing these vital issues back to the modern day, where they continue to have a striking relevance. Tristram’s work portrays protest as an act of joy as well as dissent — with both being equally important in today’s democracy.

Join them for a lively conversation to discover how they approach today’s most vital issues, reframing the importance of protest via the medium of comics.

Standard tickets for this event are priced at £8, but we have also included an option to buy a £10 ticket if you would like to support Leeds Lit Fest by giving a little more.

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Join Carnyx Press for a captivating evening of folklore-inspired short fiction. Six writers from across the North of England read stories from the new Carnyx Press anthology 'Oaths and Offerings'.

These strange, dark, and playful tales explore folk culture from the North and beyond, and reimagine folk tales for our time.

The readings will be followed by discussions about folklore and writing.

With "stories as diverse and strange as the hidden world we sense just beyond our own" (Glen James Brown), this is sure to be an enthralling evening for fans of folk horror, weird fiction, and literature.

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

The Western-dominated world we have known for the past three hundred years is coming to an end. Two Asian 'superstates', China and India, account for more than a third of the world's population and have the potential to wield enormous economic and political power. How will these countries navigate their growing roles on the world stage? What are the implications for commerce, international law and the fight against climate change?

Vince Cable has followed China and India for decades. In Eclipsing the West he offers a compelling account of what the rise of the Asian superstates means for the future.

About Vince Cable

Vince Cable is a Visiting Professor at London School of Economics and Political Science and a Distinguished Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute. He was previously UK Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade. He has a PhD in economics from the University of Glasgow and in the 1990s worked as Chief Economist for Shell. His books include 'The Storm' (2009), 'After the Storm' (2015), 'Open Arms' (2017), 'Money and Power' (2021) and 'The Chinese Conundrum' (2022).

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Join Northodox Press authors Carolyn Kirby, A.D Bergin, Carolyn O'Brien, Rachel Canwell and Rue Baldry for a relaxed and entertaining discussion about the nature of northern based historical fiction.

With a plethora of award's lists attached to their names, including the HWA Debut Crown, Crimefest/The Specsavers Award, The Bridport Prize and The First Novel Prize, their books tackle tough topics such as class, gender and sexuality in novels with a distinctly northern twang and gripping, thought-provoking plots. While these novels look to the past, their themes are still (at times frighteningly) relevant today. A panel not to be missed!

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Perdita is a human child who is born in a laboratory in 2035. She grows into adulthood without parental nurture at a time when the distinction between humans and machines has become blurred and human survival is in doubt. She will become the last human on earth.

Through a sequence of poems, Perdita explores questions about subjects including body augmentation, gender identity, work, war and truth as she learns to live amongst her non-human peers. A thought provoking and involving story.

This sequence of poems-for-performance is written by Jane Kite and performed by Jane Kite and John Hepworth.

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Acclaimed poet Kim Moore's new collection 'The House of Broken Things' is an astonishing portrait of a mother. Her body as tender, contested territory. Her instincts fierce. Her mind alive with memories of her own childhood, marvelled by love for her young daughter, sharpened with foreboding for her safety in a broken world that has so often made to break her, too. This is a thrilling new work from one of our boldest and most exciting poets.

'The House of Broken Things' is Radio 4 Poetry Extra's Book of the Month for April 2026.

In this festival event, Kim presents a reading from the book, followed by an audience Q&A.

Standard tickets for this event are priced at £8, but we have also included an option to buy a £10 ticket if you would like to support Leeds Lit Fest by giving a little more.

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Say Owt Slam is a raucous evening of poet vs poet in a fun and frantic night of verse.

Poets have three minutes to wow YOU, the audience. Expect an evening with humour and heart, comedy and charisma, stories and sizzling spoken word! Plus special guest poet, Molly Naylor, whose work has toured nationally and broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and Sky One. 

Interested in slamming? Email info@sayowt.co.uk to express your interest. Due to demand, there will be a random draw and successful slammers will be notified by Friday 15 May. All slammers get free entry, and the winner will receive a small prize, plus the honour of being the first Leeds Lit Fest Say Owt Slam champion!

Standard tickets for this event are priced at £8, but we have also included an option to buy a £13 ticket if you would like to support Leeds Lit Fest by giving a little more.

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

After inheriting the miner's safety lamp that belonged to his great-grandfather, Jake Morris-Campbell sets out on a pilgrimage across his homeland. Travelling from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne to Durham Cathedral, he asks what new ways might be made through the old north.

Jake's journey along the 'Camino of the North' sees him explore the shifting nature of individual and regional identity across 1300 years of social change. Rejecting the damaging trope of 'left behind' communities, Jake uncovers neglected seams of culture and history, while offering a heartfelt celebration of the place he calls hyem.

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

The Scene Presents x The Poetic Off-Licence present: ‘Poetry & Motion’, a showcase of women and gender diverse poets, writers and dancers from Leeds and beyond responding to the question ‘How do words call us to movement?’.

Three judges have selected their favourite poems and short essays that respond to this question.

Join us at Hyde Park Book Club for an evening all about the magic of movement - and the people who make it possible.

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Join the team from book publisher HarperCollins' imprint HarperNorth team, to learn how to get into the industry, pick up publishing tips, careers advice and how to prepare your ideas ready for submission to a publisher.

Do you want to get into publishing, either as an author or working in the industry itself?Join staff from HarperCollins’ Manchester-based imprint HarperNorth at Hyde Park Book Club for a deep-dive into how book publishing works.

Fiction commissioning editor Megan Jones and marketing and publicity assistant Taslima Khatun will explain the publishing process—from manuscript submission and editorial development to production, distribution, and marketing—and share practical tips for making a book successful.

The evening is suitable for aspiring authors, particularly those writing for adults, and anyone interested in a publishing career, offering insight into roles and pathways in the industry. Attendees can ask questions, receive guidance on improving manuscripts and submission strategies, and talk to professionals and fellow literary enthusiasts.

Come prepared with questions about how to make your book the best it can be, and ask all your careers questions!

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

‘Safety in Numbers’ is an anthology made up of a conversation in poetry. Over 200 women respond to each other’s poems in a chain where themes and experiences rise and fall with their voices.

The project forms part of Gill Connors’ PhD on the links between 16th century and 21st century women and how poetry can facilitate conversation

This event showcases some of the poets in this project as they read their poem and the one they responded to. There will be time for conversation after the reading with a short Q&A and copies of the book for sale.

FREE JUST TURN UP

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Join us for Leeds Arts University’s fifth annual event as part of Leeds Literature Festival, as we launch our first anthology of writing: Labyrinths

The anthology features work by students from the BA (Hons) and MA courses, through prose and poetry.

This event is an opportunity to hear the next generation of prose and poetry writers, across our vibrant writing community. Wonder, mystery, misdirection, and adventure; get lost in Labyrinth. It’s one not to miss. 

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Following the release of his new book, The Door-to-Door Poet, as well as a hit programme on BBC Radio 4, Rowan McCabe returns to the stage with Hard Knocks, a show of spoken word and comedy about community and connection.

Rowan likes making a nuisance of himself with poetry. Over the past 10 years he's been poet in residence in a pizza takeaway, in William Wordsworth's childhood home and, once, on a miniature steam train. He's also the world's first Door-to-Door Poet and in 2019 he travelled all across England, knocking on strangers' doors and writing bespoke verses for them, for free, on any subject of their choosing. It’s a bit like the Avon lady, but with rhymes.

Standard tickets for this event are priced at £10, but we have also included an option to buy a £12.50 ticket if you would like to support Leeds Lit Fest by giving a little more.

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Join Shauna M. Morgan and Seni Seneviratne to discuss community, environment and creating your own 'ground provisions.'

Shauna M. Morgan will read from her debut collection Ground Provisions and Seni Seneviratne will read from Unknown Soldier and new poems. Poetry from local Leeds poet Barsa Ray will open & close the event.

Seed swap: Bring seeds and take new seeds! 🌱 Leave with a sense of purpose & community to sow your own hopes"

About the authors

Seni Seneviratne, born and raised in Leeds, is of English and Sri Lankan heritage, and the author of four highly-acclaimed collections of poems. Her poem 'A Wider View' is included on the AQA GCSE poetry syllabus, and her collection, Unknown Soldier (2019), was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation and National Poetry Day Choice. She is a fellow of the Complete Works programme and has collaborated with film-makers, visual artists, musicians and digital artists. She is currently one of ten commissioned writers on the Colonial Countryside Project: National Trust Houses Reinterpreted. She lives in Derbyshire.

FREE JUST TURN UP

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Join the Northern Fiction Alliance at Hyde Park Book Club for their Summer Book Fair as part of Leeds Literature Festival.

From 10.30am, independent Northern presses will be selling their books, totes, merchandise and more, so why not come along, meet the publishers and find your new favourite read!

Participating publishers include Valley Press, Fly on The Wall Press, Comma Press, Peepal Tree, Stairwell, Carcanet, Northodox Press, Fox & Ink Books, Confingo and Big Thinking Publishing. 

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

What can a scrap of embroidery tell us about how to live? How can the past help us imagine unconstrained lives when not all traces remain?

To explore these questions, Alice Hattrick turns to the embroidery designer May Morris and her circle: from her father William Morris to her mother Jane, an artist's model and embroiderer herself, and M.F., May's gender non-conforming partner of twenty years. Through this queer encounter with the Arts and Crafts movement, Hattrick shifts attention away from celebrated designers and towards intimacy, labour and domestic life.

Looking to May - alongside others who have found in textiles a means of resistance - Hattrick traces connections between these histories and their own queer identity, family ties and precarious working conditions within an ableist society. Expansive in thought, form and time, 'Fancy Work' stitches together archival fragments, domestic spaces and contemporary sites of struggle, insisting on the political force of often overlooked acts of defiance.

Alice Hattrick in conversation with Liam Bishop.

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Poets Talking Bollocks Presents is a vibrant and diverse spoken word event hosted by Keith Fenton, featuring three showcase acts and 18 open-micers from a welcoming and growing community.

A spin-off from the legendary Poets Talking Bollocks podcast, hosted by local poet Keith Fenton since February 2024, it has developed its own growing and vibrant community, and given rise to connections and collaborations across the northern poetry scene and, thanks to a policy of bringing showcasers through from within the community, has been a springboard for developing poets across the region. Despite its raucous, "bear-pit" vibe, it boasts a knowing, welcoming and poetry-daft crowd which combines irreverent Northern humour with real support and compassion for readers who are at their most vulnerable.

Open mic spots must be booked in advance by contacting Keith by email at keithfenton32@hotmail.com or via the Instagram page at instagram.com/poets_talking_bollocks

Tickets can be booked for free, but there will a pay-as-you-feel collection on the day to cover event costs.

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

Brought to you by Zineophilia, Exploring Gender and the Body is an event open to all levels of experience in writing poetry - including none at all! 

We will collectively explore poems related in some shape or form to gender and bodies, and invite participants to construct pieces of their own through structured activities. These will enable thought on the relationships between bodies and the world, as well as bodies and one's inner self.

There will be an option to share these poems within a zine to showcase our varied responses to the prompts.

Tickets HERE

Leeds Lit Fest 2026

New and Selected Potatoes is the spud-in-cheek title of the compilation of 10 volumes of work by poet, comic, singer, songwriter and glasses-wearer, John Hegley.

John will perform poems and songs from across his back-catalogue, alongside new pieces, focussing on his educational work and storytelling. Mandolin accompaniment is now expanded to include a Portuguese cavaquinho and a train whistle from Didcot Railway Centre. In places the audience will be invited to participate, emotionally. 

The Observer commented 'Hegley is to potatoes what Wordsworth has been to daffodils' - although there is more about Keats than Wordsworth in the show. There is much about family and foolhardiness in an evening designed for adults, but not unsuitable for the odd nine-year-old.

Check it out HERE

Sip and Social is an opportunity to join an afternoon of casual conversation and community, doing easy-going activities such as board games, creative writing and drawing.

We’ll be creating a space to take time out from your regular routine at different venues across the city, starting with Hyde Park Book Club.

If you’d like to come to a Sip and Social session, take a look at our Events page for upcoming dates. If you’d be interested in hosting a Sip and Social session at your venue, please contact our Wellbeing Practitioner, Eleanor Gillott.

Tickets HERE

I am Marina, a nurse and a mushroom enthusiast. I believe we need to stay curious and playful, and step away from the daily seriousness that disconnects us from ourselves. I have been experimenting with mushroom cultivation for some time and I am fascinated by fungi as a broader phenomenon, including its folklore, symbolism, and material intelligence. This curiosity eventually led me to start running workshops.

The Soft Rot Library is a project that invites people to return to their own playground as an antidote to autopilot living, machinery, and everything increasingly robotic. In this workshop, participants bring a softcover book (up to 300 pages), which is used as a substrate for oyster mushrooms, creating a living object that they take home and continue to witness as it undergoes real-life metamorphosis.

In the process, we explore mushroom folklore, symbolism, and fungi as a phenomenon, while connecting with like-minded people through shared attention and conversation.

Tickets HERE

She loves fucking, she hates love. After an accidental group text, Charlie resorts to hiding places and extravagant lies when her several lovers turn up for the evening. The sofa is hungry, the bathroom is occupied, welcome to Charlie's Friday night. When the doorbell rings, make sure to leave your problems at home, we don't need more mess.

Foundation's debut play "I F*cking Love F*cking Someone I F*cking Hate" is coming to Hyde Park Book Club this summer for its first outing. This genre-bending dark comedy teams fresh new writing, physical comedy and original music. Prepare to laugh out loud at this razor sharp satire exposing the highs and lows of modern love. Exhilarating yet devastating.

Written and performed by queer, northern theatre-maker Hannah Mullen whose first play "Earth to Kurt" received sold out performances at The Pleasance and The Space, London. "I F*cking Love F*cking Someone I F*cking Hate" has been developed with Leeds Playhouse and produced by Foundations. 

Tickets HERE

She loves fucking, she hates love. After an accidental group text, Charlie resorts to hiding places and extravagant lies when her several lovers turn up for the evening. The sofa is hungry, the bathroom is occupied, welcome to Charlie's Friday night. When the doorbell rings, make sure to leave your problems at home, we don't need more mess.

Foundation's debut play "I F*cking Love F*cking Someone I F*cking Hate" is coming to Hyde Park Book Club this summer for its first outing. This genre-bending dark comedy teams fresh new writing, physical comedy and original music. Prepare to laugh out loud at this razor sharp satire exposing the highs and lows of modern love. Exhilarating yet devastating.

Written and performed by queer, northern theatre-maker Hannah Mullen whose first play "Earth to Kurt" received sold out performances at The Pleasance and The Space, London. "I F*cking Love F*cking Someone I F*cking Hate" has been developed with Leeds Playhouse and produced by Foundations. 

Tickets HERE

“A fresh collection of Cookson’s verse … if it’s laughter you’re after you could do worse”
Dr John Cooper Clarke

“You, me and some poems” – that’s exactly what this evening will be. Paul has worked as a poet for nearly forty years and sold over a million books. Since Lockdown Paul has written and shared on line a brand new poem every day. There are now over 2000 consecutive daily poems. The show will feature work from his latest Flapjack Press collections – “Psycho Seagull Stole My Dog” and “Slim Volume”. While the latter is gentle and thoughtful, “Psycho Seagull” features poems based on newspaper headlines such as “Brian Blessed Wrestles Forty Stone Gorilla”, “I Saw The Ghost of Lemmy Riding a Horse Eating Pizza”, “Gregg Wallace Sex Dwarf Hid A Frozen Chicken in His Underpants” and many more.

Expect an evening of laughter, occasional audience participation with moments of quiet reflection and balance.

“A poet for all seasons” – Henry Normal
“Funny, irreverent” – Brian Bilston

FREE JUST TURN UP

We are 2 vintage clothing sellers. I (Harri's Vintage) specialise in vintage sportswear, such as football shirts, rugby shirts, vintage sweats, tees & more. Retro etiquette specialises in mainly vintage rugby shirts. We will be bringing stock catered to students.

Tickets HERE

‘Don’t do that – you’ll miss the sunset.’ Sam Browne’s new poetry show is equal parts hard-hitting and hopeful, with a decent helping of humour in the mix as well. It explores both mental health and masculinity while telling the story of what got Sam through his darkest days. Sam Browne is a spoken word poet from Southend, Essex, who originally set out to be a stand-up comedian until he realised all his jokes rhymed and were all a bit sad. So he pivoted to poetry, and things started to click. Since then, Sam has developed an online following of over 100,000 followers on Instagram as well as tens of millions of views. He has won awards for his activism work, numerous poetry slams and was more recently featured in the BBC documentary Eastenders investigates the Manosphere and in the Guardian. Some reviews of his work include “Try harder” — Andrew Tate, and “Yeah, but is it real poetry?” — Sam’s mother.