Booking is open for the 2026 Oxford Literary festival

Booking is open for the 2026 Oxford Literary festival

Major figures from the worlds of history, science, literature, the arts, politics and currents affairs are lined up for the 2026 Oxford Literary Festival, which takes place in the historic heart of Oxford between Saturday 21 and Sunday 29 March.

Multi-award-winning writer Antony Beevor explains his search for the truth about the Russian mystic Rasputin. And historian Simon Schama gives the festival's inaugural lecture on growing antisemitism and the threats it poses for the whole of modern society.

A major highlight this year is an appearance by Booker-winning Life of Pi author Yann Martel to launch UK publication at the festival of his latest novel, Son of Nobody.

Wild Swans writer Jung Chang talks about Fly, Wild Swans, the sequel to her seminal story of three daughters of China under the last emperor and through Mao Zedong’s rule and the cultural revolution.

Meanwhile, popular poet Pam Ayres, talks about her life as traced in her new collection of poems spanning her entire career, Doggedly Onward.

One of the UK's best-known scientists Tim Spector, who played a key role in tracking Covid during the pandemic with the world's biggest citizen science project, talks about his Covid work and his groundbreaking research and bestselling books on the gut and diet.

The worlds of politics and current affairs are well represented this year with appearances by Sajid Javid, Jeremy Hunt, Penny Mordaunt, Ed Davey, Vince Cable, Liam Byrne and Naz Shah. Subjects discussed include surviving difficult childhoods, Britain's place in the world, the importance of ceremony, the crisis in care, the rise of China and tackling populism.

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, respectively writer and illustrator of the children's classic The Gruffalo, talk about their partnership and receive this year's Bodley Medal for an outstanding contribution to children's literature.

Investment banker and philanthropist John Studzinski gives the festival’s annual ‘perspective’ lecture, this year on the themes in his book A Talent for Giving: Creating a More Generous Society that Benefits Everyone. Influential author, activist and journalist Michael Pollan talks about his latest investigation into one of the greatest mysteries of nature – our consciousness.

Fun is the word for this year's children's events

Fun and entertainment are guaranteed for children and young people at this year's festival.

Beano’s Directors of Mischief and Mayhem, Mike Stirling and Craig Graham,  reveal their top-secret  tips for creating laugh-out-loud stories and comic strips.

Michael Morpurgo talks about his modern adaptation of Black Beauty, while Michael Rosen introduces his latest picture book for children, The Big Journey.

Paddington Bear and Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville shares his first children’s book Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room, while number one children's bestseller Katie Kirby brings her latest Lottie Brooks storyThe Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks.

Festival tackles pressing issues of the age

Festival director Sally Dunsmore said: “The Oxford Literary Festival will again bring an extraordinary range of eminent national and international speakers to talk about and debate some 80 topics – including many of the most pressing issues of the age.

"We are honoured to work so closely with many departments and colleges of the University of Oxford and to provide a platform for leading academics and alumni. We are also hugely grateful to our many corporate sponsors, donors and partners for their generosity – particularly as we are the only major UK literary festival that receives no state or public funding.

"This is the 5th year that the European Union Embassy has hosted our launch reception and our speaker programme, Voices of Europe. We much appreciate the hospitality of His Excellency Ambassador Pedro Serrano and his colleagues.

"The festival is very grateful to The Telegraph, our media partner, for their exceptional support and promotion of the festival at every level for a third year and for their endorsement of our commitment to free speech, diversity of opinion and civilised dialogue at a time when they have been under such threat and pressure.”

Chris Evans, editor of The Telegraph, said: “We are delighted to partner with the Oxford Literary Festival for a third year in 2026. We look forward to collaborating with their team to bring this year’s outstanding programme of globally renowned writers and independent thinkers to our readers.”