Edinburgh’s book festival usually runs in August. Exact 2027 dates and speakers have not been announced by the festival. The completed edition was based at the Futures Institute on Lauriston Place. The conversations below are from 2026; the next programme will be the place to choose new tickets and confirm their venues.
Confirmed for 2027
The 2027 programme hasn’t been announced yet.
2026 headline events
These events took place in 2026.
Abir Mukherjee: The Pinnacle
· Courtyard Theatre
Abir Mukherjee discussed celebrity, privilege and satire through a murder accusation inside a luxurious Mumbai skyscraper.
2026 event detailsAt 4 festivals in 2026
Jane Harper: Last One Out
· Courtyard Theatre
Jane Harper explored fractured families and communities through the claustrophobic small-town world of Last One Out.
2026 event detailsAt 5 festivals in 2026
Chris Brookmyre: Quite Ugly One Evening
· Venue T
Chris Brookmyre returned to Jack Parlabane for a satirical conversation about a locked-cabin mystery aboard a television-themed cruise.
2026 event detailsAt 6 festivals in 2026
Maggie O’Farrell: Land
· Venue T
Maggie O’Farrell discussed colonisation, rebellion and family history through Land, a novel spanning generations in Ireland.
2026 event detailsAt 4 festivals in 2026
The Front List: Elif Shafak
· McEwan Hall
Elif Shafak reflected on her writing career, global citizenship and the practical expression of personal and political beliefs.
2026 event detailsAt 4 festivals in 2026
The Front List: Douglas Stuart
· McEwan Hall
Douglas Stuart explored family, religion and island community through John of John and its returning art-school graduate.
2026 event detailsAt 3 festivals in 2026
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 Edinburgh International Book Festival · Edinburgh International Book Festival visitor guide
Authors who appeared in 2026
Abir Mukherjee, Jane Harper, Christopher Brookmyre, Maggie O’Farrell, Elif Shafak, Douglas Stuart.
Plan the festival visit
Lauriston and Tollcross, the New Town and Waverley, and Haymarket offer different bases for an Edinburgh visit. Compare the room with the confirmed venue, not just the station used for arrival. Decide whether you will return between talks or spend the gap on a meal near the next session. Ask the property about luggage storage and the room features you need. A longer city stay can include other outings on a separate day, leaving the festival conversations unhurried. The visitor guide and stay page bring the site, transport and room comparisons together.