Featuring around 600 writers from 41 countries, presenting 600 events spanning fiction, politics, science, history, music, and live performance, Edinburgh International Book Festival takes place from 15 to 30 August 2026.
With the theme of Changing Your Mind, this year’s programme invites audiences to stay open and curious, and to encourage new and alternative thinking.
Amongst those taking part include Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, technology writer Cory Doctorow, best-selling author Michael Pollan, and award-winning poet Claudia Rankine, alongside leading writers from across the world. From the world of fiction, renowned fiction writers appearing include Maggie O’Farrell, Ann Patchett, Ali Smith, Jenni Fagan, Colm Toíbín, Matt Haig, Louise Welsh, Nao-Cola Yamazaki, Candice Carty-Williams,Ben Lerner, and 2026 International Booker Prize winner Yáng Shuāng-zi.
Events take place at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, McEwan Hall and, new for 2026, Greyfriars Kirk.
As well as the Young Adults programme, which features performance, spoken word and interactive events tailored for audiences under 30 years old, the children’s programme includes chances to meet your favourite characters, incredible authors and illustrators, storytelling sessions, and creative activities to keep children absorbed and entertained.
A selection of events will have signed and captioned events. See the festival’s access information page for full details.
Ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the Festival, reduced ticket prices are available for anyone over 60 years, students, those under 30 years, recipients of Income Support, and visitors with disabilities. Pay What You Can (PWYC) pricing options are also available for some in-person events and all the livestreamed events.
Tickets can booked online on Edinburgh International Book Festival, by calling the Box Office on 0345 373 5888 between 10am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or in person. Booking tickets in person is available between 15 and 30 August from the Box Office, just off Middle Meadow Walk outside the Book Festival entrance at Edinburgh Futures Institute. Tickets cannot be bought in person before this date.
For full details of this year’s programme of events see Edinburgh International Book Festival.
