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

Patrick Kane by Rob MacDougall RMD_8231
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EIBF - Phographer- Aly Wight - Sat 10-08-24 - File-06704
2030-MarkDrakefordJohnSwinney by Roberto Ricciuti
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EIBF - Phographer- Aly Wight - Sat 10-08-24 - File-6932 PERMISSION

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Look, Listen & read

Steve Crawshaw & Philippe Sands: Prosecuting the Powerful

Steve Crawshaw & Philippe Sands: Prosecuting the Powerful

Is justice possible when war crimes have been committed? Should retribution, reconciliation, or something else be the goal? Two leading authors discuss this tense subject from their own experience…

James Naughtie: The USA, from Reagan to Trump (2020 Event)
James Naughtie: The USA, from Reagan to Trump (2020 Event)

On the Road is Naughtie’s compelling memoir of his American experiences during this period of change. In this event recorded live at the 2020 Book Festival, he discusses his…

Michel Faber: The ‘Evil Is In The ‘Etail (2020 Event)
Michel Faber: The ‘Evil Is In The ‘Etail (2020 Event)

Reminiscent of Charles Dickens and of Lewis Carroll, Michel Faber’s fable D is a delightful sideways look at the evils of our times. He joins us to discuss Dhikilo’s wild odyssey…

Cantona: A Love Story
Cantona: A Love Story by Inara Verzemnieks

He is a silent guest at our wedding, there for us as we say yes to each other in the wood-paneled, gilded-frame darkness of a strip-mall chapel…