Bradford Literature Festival 2026

About

Bradford Literature Festival returns from 3 to 12 July 2026, bringing together leading authors, cultural commentators, performers, politicians, journalists and creatives for ten days of talks, debates, workshops, performances and family-friendly activities across Bradford city centre.

Now in its twelfth year, the festival continues to showcase a diverse programme that explores literature, history, politics, culture, faith, current affairs and the arts. The 2026 edition builds on the success of previous years, offering opportunities for audiences to engage with influential voices and take part in discussions that reflect contemporary issues and global perspectives.

Festival Highlights

The 2026 programme features appearances from a range of notable speakers, authors and public figures, including:

Prue Leith discussing her memoir Being Old and Learning to Love It.
David Larbi presenting a reflective masterclass inspired by his book Frequently Happy.
Bradley Riches in conversation about neurodiversity and personal experiences.
Hannah Spencer reflecting on her journey from tradeswoman to Member of Parliament.
Jessie Elland joining fellow authors Lucy Rose and Charlotte Paradise for a discussion on contemporary gothic fiction.

Additional guests include Lemn Sissay, John Robb, Wadah Khanfar, Vince Cable, Abir Mukherjee, Myriam François, Ro Mitchell, Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi.

Debates and Discussions

The festival programme includes a range of events examining international affairs, history, politics and society, including:

The Anatomy of State Collapse with Paul Rogers.
America at 250: Empire, Democracy and Global Power.
Who Gets to Tell the Story? featuring leading commentators and academics.
Complicit: Britain’s Role in the Destruction of Gaza with Peter Oborne.
Black History and the Forgotten Worlds of Islam with Mustafa Briggs.

Family Events and Cultural Activities

Alongside its literary programme, Bradford Literature Festival offers a wide variety of events for all ages. Visitors can enjoy heritage walking tours, exhibitions, live music, film screenings, storytelling sessions, workshops and family entertainment throughout the festival period.

Highlights include themed performances, interactive activities, author events and opportunities to explore Bradford’s cultural heritage through guided experiences and community-led programming.

Book Launches

The festival will also host several anticipated book launches, including new titles from Bradford author A.A. Dhand, Saima Mir and Bea Fitzgerald.

About Bradford Literature Festival

Founded in 2014, Bradford Literature Festival has grown into one of the UK’s largest literature festivals. The event is recognised for its commitment to accessibility, inclusion and cultural exchange, welcoming audiences from across the UK and beyond.

Through its ethical ticketing initiative, many events remain free to attend, helping to ensure that cultural experiences are accessible to a broad and diverse audience.