London Literature Festival Events 2026

Literary Fair Opening — Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer

The festival's literary fair opens for the first time, with independent publishers, magazines, and literary organisations setting up stalls in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer. Browse, meet editors and authors, and pick up publications you won't find anywhere else.

Storytelling Morning — For Readers Aged 5–10

An immersive morning of storytelling, illustration workshops, and author readings for younger festival-goers. Children leave with a mini book they've helped to write and illustrate themselves.

Books That Break Barriers: Literature, Identity & Belonging

A panel of four writers — representing four different continents — discuss how literature illuminates the experience of displacement, identity, and the search for home. Chaired by a leading literary journalist.

Open Mic Poetry — South Bank Riverside Stage

The festival's beloved riverside open mic returns. Any poet is welcome to read — sign-up opens at 3.30pm. Come to perform, or simply to listen on the riverside as the autumn sun sets over the Thames.

Creative Future Writers' Day 2026

Whether you're just starting out as a writer, or have been writing for years, this event is the perfect opportunity to gain inside insight from literary professionals. The day includes short talks from Creative Future and leading writing development agencies, followed by panel events with Q&As covering craft, publishing, and the industry. A literary fair simultaneously takes over the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer. Open to all aspiring writers.

The NPL Presents: New Poets for a New Era

A landmark evening celebrating the National Poetry Library, hosted at the Southbank Centre since 1953. Emerging poets from the New Poets Collective perform new works alongside established voices in an evening hosted by poet Lemn Sissay OBE.

Debut London Literature 2026

The festival's beloved debut author evening returns, spotlighting writers who published their first novel in 2026, with a focus on works set in or inspired by London. Chaired by a leading literary critic. A chance to be first to hear from the next generation of essential voices.

Democracy, Dissent & the Written Word

In an era of mounting political pressure on free expression, four authors — a novelist, a journalist, a poet, and an essayist — discuss how writers have historically resisted authoritarian power and what responsibilities contemporary writers carry. A characteristically charged London Literature Festival debate.

International Voices in Poetry: A Night of World Languages

Poets performing in Arabic, Urdu, Portuguese, Yoruba, and Mandarin, each followed by an English reading of the same poem by the author. A celebration of the music of language itself, regardless of whether you understand every word.

Craft Lecture: The Art of the First Sentence

A celebrated novelist examines, with forensic care and generous wit, the most important sentence in any book — the first one. Drawing on examples from world literature, this lecture-conversation is essential for writers and readers alike.

The Closing Gala: Words, Music & the Year in Reading

The festival closes with its annual gala celebration — a joyful, eclectic evening combining live music, poetry performance, and author readings that look back at a year of extraordinary writing. The Southbank Centre's Head of Literature & Spoken Word introduces special surprises, and the bar stays open late. The perfect ending to London's greatest literary celebration.

Young Readers' Festival Day — Family Sunday

A full day of free events across the Southbank Centre Foyers for children and families. Author readings, illustrator workshops, poetry slams for young writers, and a special storytelling performance on the riverside. No booking required — just turn up and explore.