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-6395 - PERMISSION
Aly Wight - Sat 10-08-24 - Sarah Perry
EIBF2024-Anton Hur, Emily Wilson, R F Kuang-MB
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EIBF - Phographer- Aly Wight - Sun 11-08-24 - File-7530

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Look, Listen & read

Joe Boyd: Bringing It All Back Home

Joe Boyd: Bringing It All Back Home

Responsible for the sound on the night Bob Dylan went electric, and producer of Nick Drake, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, and R.E.M, few know the 20th century’s most popular music better than the legendary Joe Boyd – or are more familiar with the global……

Val McDermid & Jo Sharp: Shaping a Better Future (2020 Event)
Val McDermid & Jo Sharp: Shaping a Better Future (2020 Event)

At last year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival, bestselling author Val McDermid and professor of geography Jo Sharp were inspired by the festival theme, We Need New Stories…

Douglas Stuart with Damian Barr: The Making of Shuggie Bain (2020 Event)
Douglas Stuart with Damian Barr: The Making of Shuggie Bain (2020 Event)

In the words of the Kirkus review: ‘You will never forget Shuggie Bain. Scene by scene, this book is a masterpiece.’ This astonishing debut is a powerful and heartbreaking story…

Narrative Freedoms: Four Fragments
Narrative Freedoms: Four Fragments by Angela Woods

My grandmother sparkled with the stories of her past. Perfected through countless performances, her short narratives crystallised into precise recitals: words and cadences, flourishes and asides unchanged whatever the occasion and whoever the audience…