Durham’s book festival usually runs in October. Exact 2027 dates and speakers have not been published on the official festival page. The completed programme used Gala Durham, Clayport Library and other city venues. Explore six past conversations below, then use the new programme’s event addresses when arranging your next Durham visit.
Confirmed for 2027
The 2027 programme hasn’t been announced yet.
2026 headline events
These events took place in 2026.
An Evening with Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen
· Gala Theatre Main House, Durham
Hollie McNish read from Virgin and explored its title’s meaning in a poetry evening with Michael Pedersen.
Rowan McCabe: Hard Knocks
· Gala Studio, Durham
Rowan McCabe combined comedy and spoken word with stories of strangers met during his door-to-door poetry travels.
PBS Showcase with Clementine Ewokolo Burnley, Helen Mort and Padraig Regan
· Gala Studio, Durham
Three poets explored migration, blended families, mortality and desire through collections chosen for the Poetry Book Society’s autumn recommendations.
Jill Dawson: Pixie: Tarot Evening
· Gala Studio, Durham
Jill Dawson discussed Pixie, her novel about Tarot artist Pamela Colman Smith, in an interview guided by Tarot cards.
Lucy Foley: The Big Read
· Gala Theatre Main House, Durham
Lucy Foley discussed The Hunting Party alongside her new Miss Marple mystery, Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel.
2026 event detailsAt 4 festivals in 2026
New Northern Voices: Louise Powell, Sufiyaan Salam and Shaun Wilson
· Gala Studio, Durham
Three debut novelists introduced stories rooted in County Durham, Manchester’s Curry Mile and a teenager’s life in Cumbria.
Explore the guide’s 2026 programme highlights.
Book your room first
Choosing the town and dates can come before choosing individual talks. If you reserve at that stage, compare the actual rate’s payment and cancellation conditions and keep its deadline with your festival plans. Select your travel dates and guests once the visit is settled.
Where to stay for Durham Book Festival · Durham Book Festival visitor guide
Authors who appeared in 2026
Plan the festival visit
Millennium Place, with Gala Durham and Clayport Library, was one reference point in the reviewed programme. Durham station and North Road, the centre and Elvet offer different room choices to compare once you know your venues. Think about arrival with luggage and the final evening return as separate journeys. If access matters, ask about the actual entrance and room before paying. Keep room and event cancellation conditions together, and leave a margin for collecting your bag before a train. The guide and stay page below help you plan those parts of the visit.