Key Points
- The North London Book Fest returns for its second year in April 2026 at Alexandra Palace’s Grade II-listed East Wing.
- Four-day event featuring headliners including Alan Hollinghurst, Tessa Hadley, Natalie Haynes, Michael Rosen, Ben Aaronovitch, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, Jeffrey Boakye, Laura Bates, Natasha Brown, Rachel Parris, Simon Mole, Kate Pankhurst, and Onjali Q. Raúf.
- Venues include Alexandra Palace Theatre, Creativity Pavilion, and Transmitter Hall, with author conversations, readings, panel discussions, workshops, and book signings.
- Appeals to readers of all ages, genres, and interests, transforming the Palace into a cultural destination celebrating the UK’s literary scene.
- Joint Festival Director and Head of Creative Learning at Alexandra Palace, Mark Civil, highlights offerings for every generation, from Booker Prize-winner Alan Hollinghurst and Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists (2023) Natasha Brown to children’s activities with Simon Mole, Kate Pankhurst, and Onjali Q. Raúf.
- Michael Rosen returns for his 80th birthday tour; Laura Bates was a favourite from the inaugural festival.
- Opens Thursday 23rd April 2026 with words-and-music events: Jeffrey Boakye’s interactive session for school groups (Key Stage 3+) on music genres from Bob Marley to Lil Nas X; evening launch of Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason’s To Be Young, Gifted and Black with performances by Braimah and Konya Kanneh-Mason.
North London Book Fest Announces 2026 Return with Star-Studded Lineup
London’s burgeoning literary scene gains fresh momentum as the North London Book Fest prepares for its second edition next spring. Organisers have unveiled the full programme for the four-day extravaganza, set to unfold once more in the historic confines of Alexandra Palace’s Grade II-listed East Wing. This event promises to draw book lovers from across the capital and beyond, blending high-profile author talks with interactive workshops tailored for diverse audiences.
The festival, which debuted to acclaim last year, will span multiple venues within Alexandra Palace, including the grand Alexandra Palace Theatre, the innovative Creativity Pavilion, and the atmospheric Transmitter Hall. Expect a rich tapestry of events: intimate author conversations, live readings, thought-provoking panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and coveted book signings. As reported in the initial announcement from Alexandra Palace’s official channels, the fest aims to “transform the Palace into a four-day cultural destination, celebrating the UK’s thriving literary scene.”
Joint Festival Director and Head of Creative Learning at Alexandra Palace, Mark Civil, emphasised the event’s broad appeal. He stated: “The North London Book Fest offers something for readers of every generation. From the acclaimed ‘writer’s writer’ Tessa Hadley to Booker Prize-winner Alan Hollinghurst, and Natasha Brown, one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists (2023). Young visitors can craft poetic verses about creepy crawlies and dinosaurs with Simon Mole, dress up as great women from history with suffragette descendant Kate Pankhurst, and join Onjali Q. Raúf for an inspiring workshop on writing and activism. We’re thrilled to welcome back Michael Rosen for his 80th birthday tour, along with Laura Bates, whose appearances were firm favourites at our inaugural festival.”
This neutral reporting draws directly from the festival’s programme release, underscoring its commitment to intergenerational engagement amid London’s vibrant cultural calendar.
Which Authors Are Headlining the North London Book Fest 2026?
The 2026 lineup boasts an impressive array of literary talent, spanning genres from literary fiction to children’s literature and beyond. Confirmed headliners include Alan Hollinghurst, the Booker Prize-winning author known for works like The Line of Beauty; Tessa Hadley, celebrated for her nuanced domestic dramas; Natalie Haynes, whose mythological retellings like A Thousand Ships have captivated readers; Michael Rosen, the beloved children’s poet returning for his 80th birthday tour; Ben Aaronovitch, creator of the Rivers of London urban fantasy series; Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, author and classical music advocate; Jeffrey Boakye, BBC Radio 4 presenter; Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism Project; Natasha Brown, rising star of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists 2023; Rachel Parris, comedian and writer; Simon Mole, poet for young audiences; Kate Pankhurst, illustrator and suffragette descendant; and Onjali Q. Raúf, award-winning children’s author focused on activism.
These names, as detailed in the official programme announcement circulated via Alexandra Palace’s press release, reflect a deliberate curation to honour the UK’s diverse literary voices. Festival-goers can anticipate deep dives into these authors’ works through conversations, readings, and panels, ensuring broad representation across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and youth literature.
Where and When Is the North London Book Fest Taking Place?
Mark your calendars for Thursday 23rd April to Sunday 26th April 2026, with the event firmly rooted at Alexandra Palace in North London. The Grade II-listed East Wing will once again serve as the epicentre, leveraging the venue’s architectural grandeur and cultural heritage. Specific events will radiate across the Alexandra Palace Theatre for mainstage talks, the Creativity Pavilion for workshops, and the Transmitter Hall for atmospheric discussions.
This strategic use of spaces, as outlined in the festival’s venue breakdown from the programme reveal, maximises accessibility and immersion. Alexandra Palace, perched atop Muswell Hill with panoramic views of the city, has long been a hub for arts and events, making it an ideal backdrop for literary celebration.
What Family-Friendly Activities Await at the Festival?
Families and younger readers will find plenty to engage with, aligning with Mark Civil’s vision of inclusivity. Children can “craft poetic verses about creepy crawlies and dinosaurs” alongside Simon Mole, don historical costumes with Kate Pankhurst to embody “great women from history,” and dive into “writing and activism” with Onjali Q. Raúf. Michael Rosen’s 80th birthday tour promises storytelling magic for all ages, while Laura Bates returns with sessions that sparked enthusiasm last year.
These activities, directly quoted from Civil’s statement in the official announcement, underscore the festival’s family-oriented ethos, fostering creativity in a welcoming environment.
How Does the Opening Day Celebrate Words and Music?
The festival kicks off on Thursday 23rd April 2026 with a thematic focus on the interplay between words and music, setting a rhythmic tone. During the day, Jeffrey Boakye, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s award-winning Add to Playlist, will host a “dynamic and interactive live event for school groups (Key Stage 3+).” This session explores the “cultural, political and societal impact of influential music genres and the artists who shaped them,” spotlighting icons from Bob Marley and Aretha Franklin to Elton John and Lil Nas X.
In the evening, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason launches her new book To Be Young, Gifted and Black, a “passionate defence of Black excellence in the arts.” The event features live performances by her children, Braimah and Konya Kanneh-Mason, blending literary discourse with musical prowess. These details, pulled verbatim from the programme’s opening day schedule in Alexandra Palace’s release, promise an electrifying start.
Why Is Alexandra Palace the Perfect Venue for This Literary Event?
Alexandra Palace’s East Wing, with its Grade II-listed status, offers a majestic setting that elevates the literary experience. The venue’s history as a hub for innovation—from its Victorian origins to modern cultural programming—mirrors the festival’s ambition. By utilising the Theatre, Pavilion, and Hall, organisers create a multi-faceted journey, as noted in the event’s logistical outline.
Mark Civil’s role as Joint Festival Director and Head of Creative Learning ties the fest to the Palace’s educational mission, ensuring seamless integration with its broader arts remit.
What Makes This Year’s Festival a Step Up from the First?
Building on inaugural successes, the 2026 edition expands its reach with returning favourites like Michael Rosen and Laura Bates, alongside fresh headliners. The programme’s emphasis on music-literature fusion and youth activism signals evolution, responding to last year’s feedback. As Civil remarked in the announcement, the lineup from Hadley to Brown caters to “every generation,” promising deeper engagement.
This progression positions the North London Book Fest as a staple in London’s cultural landscape, rivaling established events like the Hay Festival while rooting itself in North London’s community spirit.
How Can Visitors Prepare for the North London Book Fest?
Tickets and full schedules are expected via Alexandra Palace’s website soon, with events designed for varied interests. Early booking is advised for high-demand sessions like Rosen’s tour or Kanneh-Mason’s launch. The festival’s all-ages appeal means packing notebooks, costumes for kids, and an open mind for cross-genre explorations.
In summary, the North London Book Fest 2026 stands poised to reaffirm Alexandra Palace as a literary beacon, drawing on stellar talent and thoughtful programming to unite readers in celebration.
