Ilkley Literature Festival 2026 line-up revealed featuring Simon Armitage, Kate Atkinson, and Si King
The North’s longest-running literary festival returns this October for 17 days of star-studded events, featuring national treasures and screen legends
The line-up for the UK’s second-oldest literary festival has officially been unveiled, bringing a stellar gathering of household names, novelists, poets, politicians, and TV personalities to Yorkshire this autumn.
The Ilkley Literature Festival 2026 will run across 17 packed days from October 2 to October 18, featuring headline appearances from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, award-winning novelist Kate Atkinson, children's icon Dame Jacqueline Wilson, TV chef Si King, and legendary TV adaptor Andrew Davies.
Opening the festival this year is Andrew Davies - the master screen adaptor behind House of Cards, Pride & Prejudice, and Bridget Jones - who turns his razor-sharp pen on himself to present his brand new memoir, ‘An Unsuitable Boy.’
The opening weekend also sees Labour Peer Dame Margaret Hodge discussing five decades in public life with her memoir, ’ Battleaxe,’ alongside Afghan journalist Zahra Joya sharing her fight for women’s rights in The Vanishing Girl of Kabul.
Actress Rachael Stirling will take to the stage to reflect on her iconic mother, Diana Rigg, sharing personal memories from a new memoir, while five-time Olympian and six-time World Champion swimmer Mark Foster will discuss his moving book ‘My Double Life.’
Bestsellers, broadcasters, and poetry
Poetry lovers can look forward to an evening with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage as he reads from his new translation of the epic poem Gilgamesh.
Popular poet Brian Bilston also brings his comedy-infused verse tour to the festival, while national treasure Pam Ayres marks 50 years of writing with her collection ‘Doggedly Onward: A Life in Poems.’
Other major highlights across the 17-day festival include:
- Kate Atkinson: Returning to her native Yorkshire with her new post-war novel, Our Noble Selves.
- Dame Jacqueline Wilson: Introducing her brand new children's book, Esme Pepper, and reflecting on her remarkable career authoring over 120 books.
- Si King: The Hairy Biker will be discussing Proper Home Cooking, his first solo cookbook following the loss of his long-time friend and co-star Dave Myers.
- Samira Ahmed: The Radio 4 Front Row presenter hosts a special post-screening event dissecting how The Beatles’ classic film ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ became a cinematic masterpiece.
- Judy Murray: The tennis coach and former Strictly star will present her debut crime novel, Game, Set & Murder.
- Gyles Brandreth: Joined by physiotherapist Finola Burrell to unpack secrets for a long and healthy life.
To mark the National Year of Reading, this year's festival puts readers at the centre of the action with the new Page Turners Classic Fiction Club, featuring special book-club style events exploring classics ranging from ‘Wuthering Heights’ to ‘The Wasp Factory.’
Erica Morris, Chief Executive of Word Up North (which produces the festival), said: "We’re looking forward to welcoming some of today’s most exceptional writers, thinkers and entertainers to Yorkshire this autumn. The festival has been encouraging curiosity, open dialogues and a shared love of words for over half a century.
"This year, as part of the National Year of Reading, we’re putting readers at the heart of the programme with a series of book club-style events. From dedicated fans to first-time readers, you can be sure of a warm Yorkshire welcome at Ilkley Literature Festival."
When and where can I get tickets to Ilkley Literature Festival 2026?
Priority booking for Friends of the Festival opens on August 19, before tickets go on general sale from August 25.
Bookings can be made online or over the phone by calling the box office on 01943 816714, where the full event programme is also available to view.
The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley serves as the official bookseller for the festival.