El-Balad reports that the Henley Literary Festival is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026 with an exciting lineup. Organizers recently announced that renowned Great British Bake Off judge Nigella Lawson will debut at the festival. She will participate in events on the opening night, Friday, October 2. Julia Donaldson, the UK’s best-selling author of all time, is also returning after her first appearance in 2007. She will be featured on the closing day, Sunday, October 11.
Star-Studded Lineup
The festival will include approximately 140 conversations, performances, workshops, and talks aimed at both adults and children throughout its 10-day duration. More speakers are expected to be announced in the upcoming months.
Highlights of the Festival
- Nigella Lawson will reflect on her successful literary career at the Fane Marquee at Phyllis Court.
- Julia Donaldson will present her latest book, Granny Gruffalo, along with her well-known titles Stick Man and Room on the Broom.
- Events will occur at the historic Henley Town Hall and the luxury hotel, The Relais Henley.
- Shiplake College will return as the children’s sponsor.
Record-Breaking Attendance
Last year’s festival reached record-breaking attendance, with more than 27,000 ticket holders attending in person. Many thousands more participated via online platforms. Notable previous speakers included Joanna Lumley, Jung Chang, Michael Morpurgo, Graham Norton, and Elif Shafak.
Quotes from Organizers
Harriet Reed, the festival director, expressed her excitement: “We are thrilled to build on last year’s success for our 20th edition. We are beyond happy to welcome back Julia Donaldson and have Nigella Lawson join us for her first festival.”
Alex Fane, CEO of Fane Group, emphasized the importance of such literary festivals: “It’s a joy to see festivals like Henley continue to attract devoted audiences.”
Ticket Sales
Tickets for the festival will go on sale on specific dates: General sale starts July 13, with early access for Gold and Platinum Friends on July 3 and Friends on July 7. For more information on membership options, visit El-Balad.
