Chester Festival of Ideas hailed a triumph by organisers

The 2026 Festival of Ideas has been hailed a major success after welcoming almost 4,000 event attendances to more than 100 free events across Chester earlier this month.

Led by the University of Chester, the four-day celebration of creativity, learning, and public engagement saw a 13 per cent rise in event attendance compared to last year.

Katherine Wilson, director of the Chester Festival of Ideas and professor of later medieval European history at the University of Chester, said: "Previous years’ festivals have given us great momentum, with this year's surpassing our hopes again.

"After months of planning behind the scenes, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the festival embraced so avidly, with so many people enjoying the events.

"The audiences and the feedback have been amazing.

"It’s been an honour to run the festival, and welcome people to more than 100 free events across Chester, joining together in learning, fresh ideas, sharing, inspiration, fun, celebration and shining a light on our city."

Now in its third year, the festival offered an inclusive mix of creative, entertaining, and educational activities for all ages.

Events took place at locations throughout the city, including Chester Town Hall, Storyhouse, Chester Cathedral, the Grosvenor Museum, Chester Market, and the Chester Picturehouse cinema.

This year’s line-up featured comedian David Baddiel, broadcaster and journalist Mariella Frostrup, author and academic Gary Younge, and historian Greg Jenner—best known as the historical consultant for Horrible Histories and host of the podcast You're Dead To Me.

Other guests included environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig and Professor Dame Jenny Harries, the university’s chancellor and former deputy chief medical officer for England.

The programme also included science shows from the Royal Institution, a 'Wild Futures' drop-in joined by experts from Reaseheath College and Chester Zoo, and schools hosting a range of events around the theme of ‘Our Future in Our Hands’.

University of Chester academics delivered talks on topics spanning from lasting powers of attorney to the human-animal bond and intergenerational mentoring.

The festival also featured hands-on experiences such as a Chester VR Roman amphitheatre, plus performances, workshops, and guided walks focused on history and sustainability.

Ms Wilson said the festival’s success could not have been achieved without the support of the wider community.

She said: "The festival wouldn’t have been possible and proved so popular without the support, time, and dedication of colleagues and partners from across the Cheshire community and beyond – from our planning team, steering group and guest speakers to those running venues, all the event leaders and volunteers – and without all our visitors' fantastic enthusiasm, creativity and input.

"We hope to return next year with another exciting programme of events."