Headliners join with University in leading Festival of Ideas final countdown

The festival, organised by the University of Chester with partners, is almost in sight, with just over a week until the calendar highlight gets underway.

Among its line-up of more than 100 celebratory, informative and inspiring free events, at venues across the city from Thursday July 2 to Sunday July 5, the festival features talks and discussions from:

• Journalist, broadcaster, author and campaigner, Mariella Frostrup.
• Author, broadcaster, former editor-at-large at The Guardian and Professor, Gary Younge.
• Comedian, writer and broadcaster, David Baddiel.
• Greg Jenner, best known for working on the award-winning BBC TV series, Horrible Histories as its historical consultant, and for creating and hosting the BBC podcast, You're Dead To Me.
• Environmentalist, Dr Mya-Rose Craig.
• Professor Dame Jenny Harries, University of Chester Chancellor and former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England.

Mariella said she was thrilled to be involved in the festival, adding: “With a programme packed full of thought-provoking conversations and inspiring events, I'm especially looking forward to discussing the practical steps we can take to close the gender gap and drive meaningful change.”

Mya-Rose said: “I’m delighted to be in Chester for the Festival of Ideas. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share my passion for nature and explore how people can help shape a more hopeful future.”

Greg added: “I’m delighted to come to beautiful Chester, with its nearly 2,000 years of history, to tell the totally chaotic story of how the Romans conquered Britain - I’m really looking forward to being part of the festival, alongside so many wonderful speakers.”

Further guests include:

• Esther Ghey, Founder of the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project; Dan Price, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, and Tom Kearns, Headteacher at Queen’s Park High School who will be on a panel discussing Mobile phones in schools: Necessary tool or toxic distraction?
• Royal Institution representatives who will present exciting science shows featuring fire, rockets and more.
• Experts from Reaseheath College and Chester Zoo who will, among other activities, join with University of Chester colleagues at a Wild Futures drop-in event for all ages to learn more about how to help to protect nature. Interactive stalls include owl pellet dissection, a mini scientist activity, and chances to get involved with nature at night research. Attendees are encouraged to bring along their household electrical, clothing and joinery items for repair at the pop-up repair cafe.

Academics from the University will share further insights on subjects including:

• Lasting Powers of Attorney - what they are, and how University of Chester students can help people complete them.
• Picturing the animal-human bond - with the opportunity for people to get creative by sharing experiences of animals close to their heart.
• Keeping LGBTQ+ stories alive.
• Voices, evidence and change - understanding and responding to rough sleeping.
• Inter-generational mentoring - how the ‘old’ can mentor the ‘young’.
• The global historic and contemporary world of tea - with a hands-on workshop.

The festival also includes sustainability and history walks and the opportunity to stand in the footprints of gladiators with a Chester virtual reality Roman amphitheatre experience.

Katherine Wilson, Director of Chester Festival of Ideas and Professor of Later Medieval European History at the University of Chester, said: “The excitement is building, with the 2026 Festival of Ideas almost here, and for its third year in a row. We hope people really enjoy this opportunity to join together, and hear and share learning and ideas. It’s open to all, with a diverse, inclusive and accessible choice of more-than 100 free events and activities to discover.

“There will be talks, discussion panels, exhibitions, performances, interactive activities - with hands-on workshops focused on everything from art to animals, spectacular shows, guided walks and more.

“Time is still left to book places but the festival is close so don’t miss your chance to be part of a captivating, fun and insightful four days celebrating imagination, inspiration, learning, culture and the city. The support in previous years and in the run-up to this year’s festival has been amazing; we really look forward to welcoming everyone.”

While all events are free to attend, people are encouraged to book in advance (apart from drop-in sessions) at: https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk

Image: Clockwise from top left: Dr Mya-Rose Craig; Mariella Frostrup (photo by Kate Martin); Greg Jenner and the Chester Festival of Ideas team.