Paloma Faith, live comedy, science and audio drama: the London Podcast Festival returns to King’s Cross
The London Podcast Festival returns to Kings Place in King’s Cross this September, bringing almost two weeks of live recordings, comedy, conversation, audio drama and podcasting workshops.
Now in its 11th year, the festival runs from 3 to 13 September, with tickets starting at £11. The latest additions include Paloma Faith, joining Jameela Jamil for Wrong Turns, and comedian Lou Sanders, who appears on Outsiding with Caitlin Moran and Adam Frost.
The programme ranges from science and football to film, gardening, wrestling and audio fiction, alongside some of the biggest names in podcasting.
London Podcast Festival 2026: the shows worth knowing
Paloma Faith, Jameela Jamil and Lou Sanders
Paloma Faith joins Jameela Jamil for Wrong Turns on 11 September, a live version of Jamil’s comedy podcast built around embarrassing stories and spectacular mistakes. Lou Sanders joins Outsiding the week before, a new podcast from Caitlin Moran and Adam Frost about nature, wildlife, gardening and life outdoors.
There is also a live recording of The Guardian: Science Weekly, with science editor Ian Sample and co-host Madeleine Finlay, while drag performer Tia Kofi brings The Final FronTia to the festival, combining drag, geek culture and pop-culture fandom.
From The Empire Film Podcast to women’s football
For film fans, The Empire Film Podcast returns, while Disniversity turns its attention to The Nightmare Before Christmas. Football gets its own slot with Counter Pressed with Flo Lloyd-Hughes and Friends, focusing on the women’s game.
The comedy picks
Paul Whitehouse appears twice: first alongside Dr Mine Conkbayir MBE for I’m ADHD! No You’re Not, and later as a guest on All British Comedy Explained. Deborah Frances-White brings The Guilty Feminist to the stage as part of its Road to Gilead project, while Judi Love presents a live edition of Our Table.
Elsewhere, No Such Thing As A Fish returns, as do Wrestle Me!, Beef and Dairy Network Podcast and Wooden Overcoats. The latter will also be available as a livestream, as will several other shows.
For something a little less predictable, Ask the Nincompoops brings children’s questions to the stage, with Andy Stanton and Carrie Quinlan attempting to answer them.
Four audio dramas in one afternoon
Sunday 6 September is devoted in part to audio drama, with four shows spread across the afternoon and evening.
Audio Drama Done Quick presents a live afternoon of audio drama, followed by the dark sci-fi comedy We Fix Space Junk. An Audience with Madame Magenta (& Bernard) brings its fictional psychic to the stage, while the cast of urban fantasy series Camlann return after last year’s sold-out appearance.
What makes the London Podcast Festival different
The festival is for makers as well as listeners
The festival’s Maker Weekend is aimed at people who want to make podcasts themselves.
Workshops cover everything from developing an idea and starting a podcast to building an audience and using social media. There are also sessions on the realities of making a podcast in 2026, including how to manage the workload without letting production take over your life.
For younger listeners and families, The Power of a Book looks at the children’s books that have shaped guests including Sophie Duker and Nina Conti. Kings Place will also run a book donation point in support of The Children’s Book Project.
The programme also includes Shaping Tomorrow, a BSL-interpreted video podcast featuring deaf and hearing creatives, leaders and changemakers.
What happens when a podcast leaves your headphones?
A podcast festival is, of course, different from listening at home.
Here, established shows become live performances, with audience questions, one-off collaborations and events that are difficult to replicate through headphones. Some events will be livestreamed, giving audiences outside London another way to take part.
For anyone who normally listens at home, the festival offers a chance to see how a podcast changes in front of a live audience.
The London Podcast Festival takes place at Kings Place, King’s Cross, from 3 to 13 September 2026. Tickets start at £11.
For available tickets and full programme details, visit: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/london-podcast-festival/
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
