Annual award-winning Festival with more than 150 free events. York Festival of Ideas 2026 is taking place 30 May to 12 June under the overarching theme of ‘Place and Space’.
York Festival of Ideas
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After Michael Morpurgo's beautiful free concert last night he's now in the National Railway Museum preparing for a live online event streamed to more than 48,000 schoolchildren.
#YorkIdeas
Get ready for another incredible day! 🌟 From thought-provoking debates with world-class speakers to the wonderful exhibition, Confluence for Change, today is packed with inspiration.
Discover the full lineup and book your spots:
👉 https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/
Brain hats, VR goggles, and 5,000-year-old ancient villages! 🧠✨
We had an absolute blast at Discovery Zone on Sunday. Huge thanks to the brilliant researchers for showing us how science and history are shaping the future. 🔍💡 #YorkIdeas
📷 Ian Martindale
Ready to spark your curiosity? 🧠 Today brings you another spectacular lineup of free events, featuring world-leading experts, immersive exhibitions, and eye-opening discussions.
Plan your day and book your free tickets now for our penultimate day:
👉 https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/
Journalist Karen Bartlett offers a searing insight into the challenges of safely building a new life overseas and the captive fate of women in Afghanistan.
The Escape From Kabul: A true story of sisterhood and defiance - 10 Jun
https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/escape-kabul/
All aboard! 🚂 50,000 schoolchildren joined us online today for the 'Story Time Express' 📖
Sir Michael Morpurgo live-streamed from a locomotive at the National Railway Museum reading from his Flying Scotsman book with BBC’s Katie Razzall. What an incredible journey! ✨
#MorpurgoDay #YorkIdeas
What a spellbinding evening we had last night.
Festival Patron Michael Morpurgo and cellist Clare O’Connell completely captivated us with 'Songs of Nature' - a beautiful, moving blend of storytelling and music celebrating the wild. 🌱🎶
Here are a few moments from a special night!
Wow! How amazing was Michael Morpurgo online this morning?
If your school joined in, let us know how else you're celebrating Michael Morpurgo Celebration Day!
#MorpurgoDay
From Victorian jet to modern lab-grown diamonds, Sarah Steele, Curator of Jet at Whitby Museum, discusses why some ‘forever’ gems are measured in catastrophe, not carats.
Carbon-Based Gems, Carbon-Based Consequences - 11 Jun
https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/carbon-based-gems/
Celebrating the launch of the University of York’s Mumbai campus in India, our expert panel discusses how to create vibrant cross-continental spaces to bring people and communities together.
Place, Space and the Making of a New Global University - 10 Jun
https://ow.ly/epgH50Z8WHN
