Pet Shop Boys singer Neil Tennant, actor Christopher Eccleston and bestselling authors including Susanna Clarke and Lucy Foley are among the names announced for Durham Book Festival 2026.
The festival will return from 9 to 11 October, with most events taking place at Gala Durham and additional activity planned across County Durham libraries.
Organised by Durham County Council and produced by New Writing North, this year’s programme will include literature, poetry, politics, history and music, alongside events linked to the 2026 National Year of Reading.
One of the headline events will see Tyneside-born Neil Tennant join Durham University Chancellor and former US presidential adviser Fiona Hill for a discussion about how the North East influenced his life and work.
The event forms part of the festival’s Forged in the North series and comes during the 40th anniversary year of Pet Shop Boys’ debut album.
Hill will also appear with The Times columnist James Marriott, another Tyneside native, for a discussion examining smartphones, reading, cognition and democracy.
Fantasy author Susanna Clarke will make a rare public appearance to discuss her new novella, The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City.
Set in 1110, the story is a prequel to Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and draws directly on Durham, giving audiences the opportunity to hear Clarke discuss the work in the city that inspired it.
Actor Christopher Eccleston and poet Jo Clement will take part in a live recording of the Working-Class Library podcast, focusing on the legacy of poet Tony Harrison.
Another major strand of the festival will be the return of the Big Read.
Lucy Foley’s thriller The Hunting Party has been selected as the 2026 title, with 3,000 free copies due to be distributed through libraries, schools, hospitals and community organisations across the North East.
Foley, a Durham University graduate, will also appear at the festival to discuss Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel, her commission for the Agatha Christie estate featuring a new Miss Marple story.
Other confirmed guests include novelist Louise Doughty, poet Hollie McNish, Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen and poets Clementine Ewokolo, Helen Mort and Padraig Regan.
Rebecca Wilkie, Durham Book Festival Director at New Writing North, said: “We’re delighted to be back celebrating stories rooted in the North, while welcoming voices from across the UK and beyond. Working-class writing is a major theme, from the legacy of Tony Harrison to our exciting showcase, New Northern Voices. The festival is also firmly rooted in place, exploring how the North East has shaped writers, artists and their work.”
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “Durham Book Festival is not only a longstanding and popular event on the county’s cultural calendar, but it’s now a firm favourite on the UK literary scene too. Each year it delivers a fantastic programme of talks, events and activities that entertain and inspire people of all ages.
“What’s more, it attracts thousands of people into Durham city centre, helping to boost the local economy, while also promoting our wonderful libraries and cultural venues.
“The festival is ultimately about spreading the joy of reading and writing, and – thanks to the return of the Big and Little Read and the activities taking place in our libraries – this tradition is set to continue in 2026. In fact, this year is extra special as it coincides with the National Year of Reading, a campaign that encourages people to get behind the pages of a book. We have a programme of activities taking place throughout the year and Durham Book Festival is of course one of the highlights.”
North East writers will also feature prominently in the programme.
Thriller writers Jo Murray and Rebecca Philipson are due to appear, while Dan Jackson will explore the social history of Newcastle United.
Clare McGlynn and Natasha Walter will discuss online misogyny and women’s rights, while writers Romalyn Ante, Naomi Booth and Sarah Hall will contribute to a new Sleep Stories commission exploring sleep and storytelling.
The programme will also look beyond traditional literary events, including a festival Game Jam examining links between gaming and fiction.
Other subjects range from Greek mythology and tarot to food writing and Regency romance, while emerging northern writers will be offered events examining the publishing process and a day-long workshop with Faber Academy author Amy Key.
Founded in 1990, Durham Book Festival forms part of Durham County Council’s Arts Council-supported National Portfolio Organisation festival programme. It is produced by New Writing North with additional support from Durham University.
Professor Janet Stewart, Executive Dean (Arts and Humanities), at Durham University, said: “The Festival embodies the very best of our university: curiosity, creativity and the vibrant exchange of ideas. Each year, it brings an extraordinary wealth of talent to our city, including graduates, University colleagues and our Chancellor, Dr Fiona Hill, creating opportunities to challenge and connect. We celebrate the enrichment it brings—not only to our university, but also to the wider community, fostering cultural experiences that resonate long after the festival ends.”
Tickets are now on sale, with a number of events also due to be available by livestream.
