Whitby Lit Fest expands with international names and more than 50 events
The town long linked to Bram Stoker's Dracula will once again draw writers and audiences when the 2026 Whitby Lit Fest runs from Nov. 19 to 22, organisers have confirmed. The four-day programme promises more than 50 author events and a roster of high-profile guests spanning novelists, broadcasters, actors, historians, poets and performers.
Organisers say the festival will feature internationally recognised novelists and a varied programme designed to appeal to a broad reading public. Headliners named so far include one of the most widely read contemporary novelists, John Boyne, who will discuss his new novel The Weight of Angels with broadcaster and novelist Steph McGovern. Other announced participants are crime writers Ann Cleeves and Mark Billingham, broadcaster and psychologist Dr. Sian Williams, and actor and comedian Mark Billingham (also noted among the crime-writing contingent).
The festival’s line-up has broadened to include figures from outside the strictly literary world. Television chef and presenter Si King — one half of the Hairy Bikers — will discuss his first solo cookbook, Proper Home Cooking, and reflect on his career combining food and travel. Actor Greta Scacchi and singer Corinne Bailey Rae were also added to the programme, expanding the festival’s reach into performance and music.
- Dates: Nov. 19–22, 2026
- Number of events: More than 50 author and performance sessions
- Notable participants: John Boyne, Si King, Greta Scacchi, Corinne Bailey Rae, Ann Cleeves, Mark Billingham, Dr. Sian Williams
Local ties remain central to the festival’s identity. Kate Fenton, a novelist and former BBC radio producer who lives in Whitby, serves as the festival’s patron. She said the town’s character has always appealed to readers.
"We always suspected the quirky, gothic charms of Whitby would attract bookworms," said Kate Fenton.
Festival organisers have positioned Whitby Lit Fest as a multi-venue event, incorporating talks, readings and discussions that span crime fiction, historical writing, memoir, and cookery. Announcements to date highlight both bestselling novelists and media personalities, signalling an attempt to appeal to a wide demographic of visitors and residents alike.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | Nov. 19–22, 2026 |
| Events | More than 50 |
| Highlighted guests | John Boyne, Si King, Greta Scacchi, Corinne Bailey Rae, Ann Cleeves, Mark Billingham, Dr. Sian Williams |
For Whitby and the surrounding region, the festival represents a burst of cultural activity late in the autumn season. Events of this scale have potential local economic impacts, drawing visitors for multi-day stays and supporting hospitality, retail and cultural venues. The programme’s mix of big-name draws and genre-specific sessions aims to attract both devoted readers and casual audiences looking for an accessible cultural weekend.
Organisers have steadily expanded the festival in recent years, featuring crimes writers, historians and broadcasters alongside novelists. This year’s additions from television, music and cookery underline a deliberate broadening of the programme to include personalities who can cross-promote to fans beyond the traditional book market.
Ticketing details, venue assignments and a full schedule are expected as organisers release further information ahead of the November festival. Readers planning travel should watch the Whitby Lit Fest channels for announcements and booking windows.
Whitby’s literary reputation — intertwined with Gothic associations and a longstanding coastal character — continues to be a draw for writers and readers. The 2026 festival aims to build on that heritage while offering a contemporary, varied programme across four days this November.
