Leeds Digital Festival announces 2026 programme

The Leeds Digital Festival has announced its 11th edition, scheduled to run from 21 September to 2 October 2026. The event features a programme of 213 events, with a heavy emphasis on the real-world deployment of artificial intelligence.

This year marks a leadership transition for the festival, as Deb Hetherington takes over as director from founder Stuart Clarke MBE, who will serve as chair. The festival aims to highlight the rapid expansion of the Leeds technology sector, which is currently estimated to contribute £1.67 billion in gross value added.

A study by The Data City indicates that tech companies in Leeds are growing at an annual rate of approximately 8.3%, outpacing the UK average of 8.1%. Additionally, 13% of these companies are classified as high-growth, with annual growth rates exceeding 20%.