It's the moment Gloucestershire book lovers have been waiting for – Cheltenham Literature Festival's 2026 lineup has now been revealed.
Some of the biggest names in this year's Lit Fest brochure include Celebrity Traitors faithfuls Joe Marler and David Olusoga, Last One Laughing contestant Mel Giedroyc, QI host Sandi Toksvig, Radio 1 breakfast show presenter Greg James, Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood, national treasure Mary Berry, actor Meera Syal, Diana Rigg's daughter Rachael Stirling and husband Guy Garvey, comedian Katherine Ryan, music journalist John Robb, bestselling poet Donna Ashworth, and legendary game show host Anneka Rice.
This year's Cheltenham Literature Festival guest curators are British-Jamaican author and screenwriter, Candice Carty-Williams, and bestselling crime novelist, MJ Arlidge, who have each handpicked a series of special events on this year's roster.
Other highlights include West End smash-hit Austentatious, which makes a special, limited appearance at the festival featuring an all-star cast, plus whisky tasting at rooftop restaurant The Nook, cabaret at Dunkertons, The Sunday Times wine club, and the Cheltenham Bookshop Crawl.
There's a dedicated programme for children and young adults, including Harry Potter illustrator Levi Pinfold, historian Peter Frankopan, Tom Gates and Liz Pichon, space scientist Maggie Aderin, Russell Kane, How To Train Your Dragon creator Cressida Cowell, plus Gruffalo Granny storytime, and interactive workshops including Draw With Rob from illustrator Rob Biddulph, Aardman model making, and Wriggly Worm Animation with Jess Mountfield.
A third of the events on the 2026 lineup are free of charge, with free stages including youth-focused VOICEBOX, family-oriented Story Shack, The Snug, and The Huddle, while in Times Square festivalgoers can watch interviews being broadcast live on Times Radio, too.
The Big Read Book Club is also back for 2026, and The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is this year's book choice, with two events from the author taking place at the festival.
The festival is also celebrating national campaign The Year of Reading, which aims to inspire people of all ages to 'rediscover the joy of reading' – with the initiative coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the festival's Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils programme.
Tickets for Cheltenham Literature Festival go on sale on Thursday 3 September 2026.
Visit the Cheltenham Festivals website to see the full lineup and to book tickets.
