Explore the Festival programme

The Edinburgh International Book Festival takes place from 15-30 August 2026. The programme will be available in June 2026. Sign up for our ebulletins or follow us on social media to hear announcements and updates.

In the meantime, you can enjoy watching nearly 150 events from the 2025 Festival on our website. 

2024 Book Festival Highlights

EIBF - Phographer- Aly Wight - Sat 10-08-24 - File-6932 PERMISSION
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Aly Wight - Sat 10-08-24 - Sarah Perry
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RMD_8204 PERMISSION
2100-ConfessionsOfAJustified_new myths_by Roberto Ricciuti

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Look, Listen & read

Should Rivers Be Afforded Personhood?

Should Rivers Be Afforded Personhood?

Around the world, a growing movement seeks to protect rivers by declaring them living beings entitled to fundamental rights. This vital, perspective-shifting panel - a cornerstone of our Repair theme - is chaired by Guardian environmental editor, Jonathan Watts…

Samantha Power with Allan Little: What One Person Can Do (2020 Event)
Samantha Power with Allan Little: What One Person Can Do (2020 Event)

The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, former policy advisor to President Obama and Professor of Human Rights talks with Allan Little in our annual Frederick Hood Memorial Lecture…

Roger Robinson: ‘Ordinary Poems Won’t Change the World (2020 Event)
Roger Robinson: ‘Ordinary Poems Won’t Change the World (2020 Event)

Firmly rooted in the dub poetry tradition of his Trinidadian heritage, Robinson’s plain-speaking, fizzy, often joyous verse journeys through our contemporary preoccupations with a…

State of Truth
State of Truth by Rory MacLean

At dawn the curtain rises on an empty stage. Actors stand poised in the dark. Dancers and singers wait in the wings for their cue. Musicians hold their instruments to their lips and bodies, at the ready, ever ready for the nod of the director, waiting…