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Oxford Literary Festival 2026
21 March to 29 March
All images courtesy of Oxford Literary Festival
About the Oxford Literary Festival 2026
The Oxford Literary Festival returns from Saturday 21 March to Sunday 29 March 2026, bringing nine inspiring days of conversation, culture and ideas to the heart of the city.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading literary celebrations, the festival gathers renowned authors, public figures and emerging voices in a series of thought-provoking events set against the magnificent backdrop of Oxford’s historic university quarter.
The Oxford Literary Festival is a place where intellectual curiosity is nurtured and standards are set. Long established as a platform for open dialogue, the festival champions free expression and welcomes speakers from every background, faith, field and tradition.
Over the decades, it has hosted Nobel, Booker and Pulitzer Prize winners, former world leaders, pioneering scientists, political thinkers, environmentalists, philosophers, artists and writers from across the globe.
The festival also curates a series of international programmes, shining a spotlight on the literature and culture of nations and regions including India, Africa, the USA, Ireland, Spain, Italy and China. Oxford’s richly multicultural character provides an ideal setting for this global exchange of ideas.
Festival hub
Blackwell Hall at the Weston Library will once again become the beating heart of the festival. The space will feature a dedicated festival bookshop run by Blackwell’s, alongside the ever-popular café, comfortable seating areas and access to free Bodleian exhibitions. Visitors can browse books, meet friends between events and soak up the festival atmosphere.
Ticket holders can also enjoy 10% off in the Bodleian Libraries gift shops (exclusions apply). An information desk will be available in the hall for enquiries, while last-minute tickets can be purchased at event doors (card only), online or by phone.
Venues
Events take place across a range of iconic Oxford venues, including the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bodleian Library, the Weston Library, Worcester College, Trinity College, St John’s College, Exeter College, Lincoln College, Pusey House and the Oxford Martin School. Many venues are just a few minutes’ walk from Blackwell’s Bookshop, creating an intimate, easy-to-navigate festival experience.
Programme
Please visit the festival website for a full line-up of leading authors and public figures in the festival.
Oxford Literary Festival venue map
Getting there
By train
Oxford is well served from all areas of the country. Chiltern Railways’ service from London Marylebone and High Wycombe terminates in the centre of Oxford. Worcester College is a ten-minute walk from the central station, and Blackwell’s Marquee is a 20-minute walk. There is a taxi rank at the station.
By coach
There are two fast and frequent coach services to Oxford from London (the X90 and the Oxford Tube), with departures up to every 15 minutes. In Oxford, festival-goers can alight at High Street stops and walk a few minutes to the festival venues. The coach station at Gloucester Green is a five-minute walk from Worcester College and a ten-minute walk from the Blackwell’s Marquee.
By car
Street parking is extremely limited in Oxford. There are car parks at the Westgate Shopping Centre, Gloucester Street and Worcester Street, all within a 10-minute walk of festival venues. Oxford is well served by regular bus services from several Park & Rides sites located around the city perimeter.
Blue badge parking
For events at the Bodleian Library, Weston Library, Lincoln College, Oxford Martin School and the Sheldonian Theatre, disabled badge holder designated parking is available on Broad Street. For The Story Museum, disabled badge holder designated parking is available in St Aldate’s. Designated parking is available in Beaumont Street for Worcester College and the Ashmolean, and in St Giles for St Cross College.
Accessibility
All main festival venues are accessible, and many provide hearing loops. Full accessibility information can be found on the festival website.
Schools outreach
The festival continues its longstanding commitment to inspiring young people through literature. It works closely with local schools to host events led by children’s authors and speakers, with costs fully covered by the festival. Pupils are also offered free tickets to main festival events, with an enthusiastic yearly uptake. In 2026, the festival’s schools programme will expand further to include Cheney School in East Oxford.
