Major names and local focus for Durham Book Festival 2026
Durham will be the stage this autumn for a festival that blends literature, politics, history and music. Organised by Durham County Council and produced by New Writing North, Durham Book Festival 2026 is scheduled to run from 9 to 11 October, with most events taking place at Gala Durham and additional activity across County Durham libraries.
The programme brings together nationally and internationally recognised figures alongside strands intended to root the festival in the North East. Among the headline names are Pet Shop Boys singer Neil Tennant, actor Christopher Eccleston and bestselling novelists including Susanna Clarke and Lucy Foley. Events will cover a broad mix of forms and subjects, from poetry and fiction to discussions about technology, cognition and democracy.
Forged in the North and local conversations
A highlight of the festival’s Forged in the North series will pair Tennant with Durham University’s chancellor, Fiona Hill, for a conversation about the North East’s influence on his life and work. The event will coincide with the 40th anniversary year of the Pet Shop Boys’ debut album and signals the festival’s intent to draw on regional identity as a theme.
Hill will also take part in a separate discussion with The Times columnist James Marriott on the intersections of smartphones, reading, cognition and democracy — topics that aim to connect cultural debate with contemporary social concerns.
Authors, rare appearances and community outreach
Fantasy author Susanna Clarke will make a rare public appearance to discuss a new novella, The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City, a prequel to Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell that is set in 1110 and explicitly draws on Durham as a place of inspiration. That local connection is one of several elements that give this year’s festival a distinctive regional emphasis.
Another cornerstone of the programme is the return of the festival’s Big Read. Organisers have selected Lucy Foley’s thriller The Hunting Party as the 2026 title. The programme will distribute 3,000 free copies through libraries, schools, hospitals and community organisations across the North East, extending reach beyond ticketed events and into community settings. Foley, who studied at Durham University, will appear to discuss her recent work, including her Agatha Christie commission featuring a new Miss Marple story.
Live and recorded events will broaden the festival’s appeal: actor Christopher Eccleston and poet Jo Clement will participate in a live recording of the Working-Class Library podcast, examining the legacy of poet Tony Harrison. The festival’s programme also lists other contributors such as novelist Louise Doughty and poets Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen, among others.
- Dates: 9–11 October 2026
- Main venue: Gala Durham
- Organisers: Durham County Council (organiser) and New Writing North (producer)
- Big Read title: The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley — 3,000 free copies to be distributed
The mix of headline names and community-oriented programming underscores the festival’s dual role: attracting national attention while working to involve local institutions such as libraries and schools. For a city often overlooked on the national cultural map, that balance is important to sustaining long-term engagement with reading and the arts.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | 9–11 October 2026 |
| Primary venue | Gala Durham |
| Big Read distribution | 3,000 free copies across libraries, schools, hospitals and community groups |
As the festival approaches, local readers and cultural organisations will be watching for ticket release details and the full schedule of events. The programme as announced places Durham at the centre of a concentrated, three-day celebration of reading and ideas, linking high-profile guests with measures to involve communities across the North East.
