The Emirates LitFest 2026 will run January 21–27 at InterContinental Dubai Festival City with over 200 authors and global literary voices.
DUBAI: The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will return for its 18th edition from January 21–27, 2026 at InterContinental Dubai Festival City. The weeklong event will bring together over 200 speakers representing 40 nationalities, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The line-up features celebrated names across genres, including R.F. Kuang, Shashi Tharoor, Samantha Shannon, Ruth Ware, Curtis Jobling, Caleb Azumah Nelson, and Asma Khan. Genres range from fiction and non-fiction to poetry, young adult, journalism, and culinary arts.
This year’s edition will spotlight Emirati talent through the “Bil Emirati” strand and celebrate translation as a vehicle for cross-cultural connection. A VIP panel will also honour the book Life Taught Me by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.
Organised by the Emirates Literature Foundation, in partnership with Dubai Culture, the festival remains a cornerstone of Dubai’s cultural calendar, strengthening the UAE’s vision of building a globally connected knowledge society.
For full event schedules, passes, and programme information, visit the official festival website.
