The festival of debate is the UK’s largest annual non-partisan politics festival and takes place every spring across South Yorkshire. 

This year it will run from the 16th of April to the 25th May.

The events have proven popular already with many having already sold out.

There will be a mix of online and in person events such as discussions, Q&As, keynote speeches and performances which will be held in various locations across Sheffield and South Yorkshire.

The festival’s programme includes a wide variety of events led by grassroots groups, partners and individual citizens which are, according to the festival’s website: “A reflection of these communities in South Yorkshire and broader movements for social change.

“Festival of debate seeks to create a place where we are connected to each other, to our communities, to the institutions and new ideas that shape our lives and to conversations that start change.”

The festival will host events classified in three main strands: Climate, democracy and inequality.

It will include appearances from high profile guest speakers including Journalist author and activist George Monbiot, Poet Jackie Kay and the BBC’s first disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring.

Many of these events are free entry, including today’s event at Utopia theatre: “War! What is it good for? University Arms Trade Links”.

Whilst some events are ticketed they are “priced as low as possible to encourage involvement”.

People who are interested in events from previous years can watch them  back on the festival of debate website.

Previous speakers include former Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who gave a speech at the University of Sheffield’s Octagon venue in 2022.

This year The Crack magazine has selected the Festival of Debate 2024 as one of their national highlights for April.

The event was founded by Opus Independent who are a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Sheffield, established in 2008.

Opus Independent also runs Now Then, a local magazine which also promotes the festival.

Partners of the event include Sheffield City Council and University of Sheffield.

For more information on the programme of events visit: https://festivalofdebate.com/2024  or follow @FestOfDebate on X (formally known as Twitter).