Bradford Literature Festival Announces 2026 Line-Up

Festival returns with diverse programme and notable speakers

The Bradford Literature Festival is set to take place from 3 to 12 July 2026, marking its 12th year. The event will feature a wide-ranging programme with a variety of talks, workshops, performances, and discussions, reflecting the city’s cultural diversity and ongoing regeneration.

Headline speakers and sessions

The 2026 festival will include appearances from several prominent figures across literature, politics, and the arts. Among the headline guests are:

• Prue Leith – known for her roles on Great British Bake Off and Great British Menu, will discuss her memoir Being Old and Learning to Love It, which reflects on life in her eighties.
• David Larbi – will lead a masterclass inspired by his book Frequently Happy, combining poetry and journalling exercises aimed at fostering positivity.
• Jessie Elland, Lucy Rose, and Charlotte Paradise – bestselling authors who will participate in a conversation on gothic literature and its themes.
• Hannah Spencer – the Green Party MP for Gorton and Denton, will share insights from her political journey.
• Bradley Riches – actor from the series Heartstopper, will join journalist John Harris for a discussion on neurodiversity.

Other notable participants include John Robb, Lemn Sissay, Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi, Wadah Khanfar, Mike Pickering, Vince Cable, Ro Mitchell, Claire Mitchell, Zoe Venditozzi, Abir Mukherjee, and Myriam François.

Programme themes and activities

The festival will address a variety of contemporary and historical issues through debates and talks, such as:

• The Anatomy of State Collapse with Paul Rogers
• America at 250: Empire, Democracy and Global Power with Melissa Butcher
• Jewish Manningham: Heritage Walking Tour with Nigel Grizzard
• Who Gets to Tell the Story? with Nafeez Ahmed, Meashael Al Mannai, Paul Rogers, and George Osborn
• America and the Stories it Forgot with Mustafa Briggs
• Iran, Karbala and the Psychology of Resistance
• Complicit: Britain’s Role in the Destruction of Gaza with Peter Oborne
• Black History and the Forgotten Worlds of Islam with Mustafa Briggs

Beyond talks and panels, the festival will also offer exhibitions, comedy nights, heritage walking tours, live performances, film screenings, storytelling sessions, workshops, and author meet-and-greets.

Book launches and local authors

The 2026 festival will feature several book launches, including:

• The Kingpin by A.A. Dhand, a Sunday Times bestselling author from Bradford
• Deliverance by Saima Mir
• Better Than Revenge by Bea Fitzgerald

Festival background and accessibility

Established in 2014, the Bradford Literature Festival aims to promote literacy and cultural engagement while highlighting Bradford’s heritage and creative community. The festival has contributed to the city’s cultural profile, including its designation as UK City of Culture 2025.

In 2025, the festival attracted over 187,000 attendees, with 65% accessing events for free through an ethical ticketing policy designed to improve accessibility.

Further information and ticket bookings are available on the official website: www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk.