Faversham Lit Fest announces line-up for 2026
This year’s festival runs from 20th February to 1st of March 2026
Faversham Literary Festival has announced its 2026 line-up!
Running from 20th February to 1st of March, the renowned festival has become a key event in the Kent culture calendar in the past few years due to their impressive list of authors and speakers. And this year is no different… (TICKETS HERE: www.favershamliteraryfestival.org )
Here's some of the highlights:
Jenny Eclair shares a lifetime of jokes on the opening night at the Alexander Centre; on Wed 25 Feb join Graham Fellows, aka John Shuttleworth (also known as Jilted John) on stage at St Mary of Charity
Don't miss comedy legends Charlie Higson and Jim Moir on stage on Sunday 22 Feb, sharing a few laughs from their new book Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee.
To close this year’s festival, Ian McEwan talking about his new novel in conversation with Alex Preston.
Discover the unique style of Jeanette Winterson as she cracks open the legendary tale of Shahrazad in One Thousand and One Nights to reveal timeless questions such as: Who should we trust? What makes us happy? Is love the most important thing in the world?
One of Britain's most celebrated broadcasters, Sir Trevor McDonald talks to Alex Preston about his memoir, which explores his childhood in the Caribbean and life-long love of cricket
An entertaining mix of the serious and the irreverent, join the UK's favourite film critic, Mark Kermode, with journalist Gavin Esler.
A great line-up of spoken word... with Hollie McNish on the first weekend of the festival and Luke Wright on the second weekend
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage returns to Faversham to read from his new collections. Also on the programme... an evening with Donna Ashworth; and World Slam Champion Harry Baker performing new work
Bob Geldof and Paul Vallely will be talking about how Live Aid became one of the most powerful movements in music and humanitarian history
Plus post-punk band Gang of Four's Jon King in conversation with musician Miki Berenyi; and Ian Leslie on John Lennon and Paul MacCartney.
For nature lovers, bestselling writer Robert Macfarlane and the 'Sherlock Holmes of Nature' Tristan Gooley; on the same day, historian James Fox on Britain’s last remaining master craftspeople.
Charismatic wine expert Tom Gilbey – infamous for running the London Marathon while blind-tasting a different wine every mile en route – shares hilarious wine and food stories, and offers tips on how to tell your Barolo from your Beaujolais.
Plus a feast of spirited, culinary conversation with food writer Tom Parker Bowles and Faversham wine connoisseur Henry Jeffreys and chef of the Michelin-starred The Sportsman, a truly beloved Faversham local, Stephen Harris shares recipes and stories from his new cookbook
A live musical storytelling show with acclaimed author Joanne Harris and her band... suitable for all ages. Plus an evening of folk mayhem and music with the legendary Beans on Toast - both at Shepherd Neame Old Brewery Store.
