More than 60 top-class events already confirmed for 2016 festival

The FT Weekend Oxford Literary Festival is set to celebrate its 20th anniversay in style with more than 70 top-class events already confirmed. One of the world's best-known scientists Richard Dawkins, pictured right, will talk about an update of his original work on evolution, The Ancestor's Tale. Former children's laureate Jacqueline Wilson, pictured left, talks about her life and work, and one of Britain's most successful playwrights Alan Ayckbourn talks about his life and career and receives the honorary fellowship of the festival. Other big names already confirmed for 2016 include the television explorer Levison Wood on his latest trek across the Himalayas, and philosopher A C Grayling on progress in troubled times. Historian and broadcaster Simon Sebag Montefiore talks about his new book on The Romanovs.

Baddiel and Clary added to children's programme

An exciting children's programme includes comedians David Baddiel, pictured right, and Julian Clary on their latest children's books, historian and broadcaster Lucy Worsley on her first children's novel, Tom Gates author Liz Pichon, the new Children's Laureate Chris Riddell, and the return of the popular Harry Potter event. This year's festival takes place between Saturday April 2 and Sunday April 10. Events can be booked online now via this website, and a walk-in and telephone box office will open in the New Year. There will be more than 250 events at this year's festival and they will be added to the festival website as they are confirmed.