Big Names Headlining Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival 2026
Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival is back with a bang this autumn featuring a host of national treasures and literary stars.
Rachel Tunnicliffe, Senior Partner at Raworths, Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, & Simon Morris, Managing Partner
The Literature Festival, sponsored by Raworths Solicitors, is one of the biggest dates in the country’s literary calendar taking place across two action-packed weeks (11 – 25 October) in the North Yorkshire spa town.
This year’s headliners include acclaimed novelist Kate Mosse who will discuss her new book, Autumn, a beautifully evocative celebration of the turning of the seasons that is part memoir, part nature writing.
Broadcaster, writer and restaurateur Dame Prue Leith, author of Being Old…and Learning to Love It!, will share her thoughts about ageing well, staying curious and finding joy in later life.
Acclaimed broadcaster and journalist Sophie Raworth is the special guest at this year’s Yorkshire Life Literary Lunch on 22 October, when she will discuss her inspiring memoir, Running on Air.
Comedian, presenter and novelist Julian Clary is another household name appearing at the Festival. The TV star will be talking about his new murder mystery, The Midmorning Murders.
Fans of literary icon Sir Ben Okri are also in for a treat. The Booker Prize-winning author will introduce his new book Waking the Warriors and explore the ideas behind his powerful modern fable of courage, hope and resistance.
Another literary heavyweight joining this year’s line-up is Heather Morris, international bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, who will be discussing her new novel, The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse.
Elsewhere, Sir John Curtice, Britain's leading political analyst and a familiar face on our TV screens at election times, will be making sense of British politics at a time when the country’s political landscape has become more fragmented than ever before.
Rachel Tunnicliffe, Senior Partner at Raworths Solicitors, said:
“We are proud to be the sponsors of this world class Festival which brings the power of stories and the joy of storytelling to Harrogate.
“Once again there is a whole host of big names and bestselling authors coming to our town, and we can’t wait for what promises to be a memorable Festival this autumn.”
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:
“We are delighted to announce some of the headliners for the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival 2026.
“This year’s diverse programme brings together some fabulous writers, with more big announcements still to come!”
Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival has been hailed as “One of the UK’s best Literary Festivals” by Harper’s Bazaar and “One of the Top 3 Literary Festivals in the UK” by the Guardian and has long been at the forefront of the literary scene thanks to its bumper line-up of big names in relaxed and intimate settings.
Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, The Crown Hotel and Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate, 11-25 October.
Tickets are on sale for Friends of the Festival on Wednesday 5th August and on general sale on Wednesday 19th August from the Harrogate International Festivals website harrogateinternationalfestivals.com or by calling the Box Office on 01423 562 303.
