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Dua Lipa with long straight brown hair, wearing a satin yellow shirt.

London Literature Festival

Tue 20 Oct – Sun 1 Nov 2026

Dua Lipa brings her passion for the written and spoken word as curator of the 2026 festival

The Grammy and Brit Award-winning global superstar and founder of the Service95 Book Club curates a line-up of her favourite established and emerging writers.

Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival is generously supported by Bukhman Philanthropies.

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More info for Special Edition: Shanzhai Lyric Runway Reading
A pile of colourful T-Shirts randomly arranged.
Literature & poetry

Special Edition: Shanzhai Lyric Runway Reading

A reading and runway show of poetry inspired by counterfeit T-shirts shakes up language and power
National Poetry Library
More info for Michael Lewis: Blockers
A close-up portrait of a smiling man with brown hair wearing a white collared shirt under a dark navy blue v-neck sweater.
Literature & poetry

Michael Lewis: Blockers

The author’s new book tells the story of the unsung heroes who fought back against US government cuts
Royal Festival Hall
More info for The Children's Bookshow with Katherine Rundell
Author Katherine Rundell smiles while holding her book
Literature & poetry

The Children's Bookshow with Katherine Rundell

Be swept away by the fantasy author as she discusses her epic series and what inspires her
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Ta-Nehisi Coates & Tareq Baconi: On Freedom
A side-by-side portrait showing a man with short grey-flecked hair wearing a light blue button-down shirt on the left, and a man with wavy dark hair wearing a dark grey t-shirt on the right.
Literature & poetry

Ta-Nehisi Coates & Tareq Baconi: On Freedom

Sit down for a discussion with the authors as they present their latest publications
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Hernan Diaz: Ply
A close-up portrait of a man with short buzzed hair looking into the camera, wearing an olive-green buttoned jacket.
Literature & poetry

Hernan Diaz: Ply

Hear from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author about his new futuristic thriller
Purcell Room
More info for Service95 Book Club: Nadia Murad in Conversation
A three-quarter portrait of a woman with long, wavy brown hair looking forward, wearing an asymmetrical terracotta dress.
Literature & poetry

Service95 Book Club: Nadia Murad in Conversation

Listen to a powerful story of survival and reclamation at this talk by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Purcell Room
More info for Kwame Dawes: Afro-Style School & Kinships
A black and white, motion-blurred photograph captures the silhouettes of a large group of dancers mid-movement in a bright dance studio.
Literature & poetry

Kwame Dawes: Afro-Style School & Kinships

Jamaica’s Poet Laureate celebrates the programmes and collectives tackling literature’s diversity gap
National Poetry Library
More info for Joseph Coelho & Friends
Poet Joseph Coelho in a brightly coloured outfit falling from the sky
Literature & poetry

Joseph Coelho & Friends

Take KS2 classes on a poetic journey with an interactive show from the former Children's Laureate
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Out-Spoken: October
A three-panel split image showing headshots of a woman with short brown hair, a man with glasses and a goatee, and a man in a dark button-up shirt.
Literature & poetry

Out-Spoken: October

Mark the return of our regular poetry and music night with a standout line-up
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Indie Night: October
Two peoples profiles are grey and collaged with an image of piles of books and a dotted square.
Literature & poetry

Indie Night: October

Get to know an eclectic mix of writers at our series championing independent publishing
Purcell Room
More info for Poetry Day!
A person in a lime green shirt browsing a selection of poetry books
Literature & poetry

Poetry Day!

View hidden gems and new acquisitions from the world’s largest public collection of modern poetry
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Tickets Free
More info for A Celebration of British Somali Poetry
A three-quarter portrait of Momtaza Mehri looking upward, wearing a black hijab and matching black linen jacket.
Literature & poetry

A Celebration of British Somali Poetry

Explore how diaspora Somali poets rework an ancient tradition with an eye on the concept of ‘home’
Purcell Room
More info for Orwell's England: 85 Years Later
British author and screenwriter Nikesh Shukla wearing a black shirt and leaning on the back of a chair
Literature & poetry

Orwell's England: 85 Years Later

Interrogate what Englishness means today with author Nikesh Shukla and a panel of guests
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Dua Lipa & Zadie Smith: White Teeth
Author Zadie Smith wearing hoop earrings and a red shirt
Literature & poetry

Dua Lipa & Zadie Smith: White Teeth

Dig in to this modern classic with the author herself, in conversation with Dua Lipa
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Words In, Words Out: A Night in With Koestler Arts
Five volumes of poetry from Koestler Voices
Literature & poetry

Words In, Words Out: A Night in With Koestler Arts

Hear the voices of writers inside the criminal justice system at an evening of readings and talks
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Poems on the Underground: 40th Anniversary
A man in a peaked cap reading a poem on a tube train
Literature & poetry

Poems on the Underground: 40th Anniversary

A feast of poetry and music celebrating 40 years of Transport for London’s public poetry programme
Purcell Room
More info for The 2026 Forward Prizes for Poetry Ceremony: Live Stream
Audience members in the Southbank Centre\'s Queen Elizabeth Hall
Literature & poetry

The 2026 Forward Prizes for Poetry Ceremony: Live Stream

Join us via live stream for some of the best poetry published in the UK and Ireland in the last year
Online Events
Tickets Free
More info for The 2026 Forward Prizes for Poetry Ceremony
Five smiling award winners stand in a row holding blue booklets against a black, yellow, and blue curtain backdrop.
Literature & poetry

The 2026 Forward Prizes for Poetry Ceremony

Join us for live readings and experience the best poetry published in the UK and Ireland this year
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Dua Lipa & Mustafa: Nour
A black and white close-up portrait of a man looking over his shoulder while seated inside a vehicle, gripping a backpack strap.
Literature & poetry

Dua Lipa & Mustafa: Nour

Poetry that moves us is central to Mustafa’s collection Nour, and to this discussion with Dua Lipa
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Creative Future Writers' Day
People browse books at tables in a large, wide brutalist hall with exposed concrete pillars and warm wooden ceiling lights.
Literature & poetry

Creative Future Writers' Day

Writers, publishers and literary professionals share hints and tips in a day of talks
Purcell Room
Tickets Free
More info for Creative Future Writers' Day: Live Stream
Speakers seated onstage at Creative Future Writers Day
Literature & poetry

Creative Future Writers' Day: Live Stream

Tune in to the live stream as writers and literary professionals share tips in a day of talks
Online Events
Tickets Free
More info for Out-Spoken Masterclass: October
Group of people sat around a long table all writing onto paper
Literature & poetry

Out-Spoken Masterclass: October

Get your ideas flowing at a three-hour workshop giving you the chance to learn from leading poets
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Debut London Literature
A group of people sat in an audience in yellow lighting
Literature & poetry

Debut London Literature

Open a new chapter of reading with a line-up of debut writers whose novels are set in London
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Dua Lipa & Patti Smith: Bread of Angels
A black and white portrait of Patti Smith raising her hand with palm facing out, leaning against a wooden fence.
Literature & poetry

Dua Lipa & Patti Smith: Bread of Angels

Chart the life of the legendary musician and writer as she discusses her memoir with Dua Lipa
Royal Festival Hall
More info for V. E. Schwab: Victorious
A woman with reddish-brown hair and glasses smiles while sitting in a dimly lit room surrounded by houseplants.
Literature & poetry

V. E. Schwab: Victorious

The best-selling author discusses the triumphant conclusion to her thrilling Villains series
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Go All In: Gaming and the Power of Story
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Literature & poetry

Go All In: Gaming and the Power of Story

Dive into epic stories and the interlinked magic of books and games with a panel of industry icons
Purcell Room
More info for The Smeds and the Smoos
A colorful children's illustration of a red alien and a blue alien holding hands on a desert planet under a huge moon.
Family & young people

The Smeds and the Smoos

Star-crossed aliens, magical music and cosmic laughs in a stellar stage adaptation of a beloved book
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Service95 Book Club: Translated Fiction Showcase
A woman with long wavy dark hair sits thoughtfully with her fist under her chin against a warm brown background.
Literature & poetry

Service95 Book Club: Translated Fiction Showcase

Cross borders with some of today’s most vital fiction in translation, read by the authors themselves
Purcell Room
More info for Malorie Blackman: Noughts & Crosses at 25
Portrait of author Malorie Blackman. She sits in a garden wearing a patterned blue top and a lace cover up.
Literature & poetry

Malorie Blackman: Noughts & Crosses at 25

Celebrate the legacy of this bestselling YA novel with reflections from the author and special guests
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Tice Cin: Safe Spaces
British writer Tice Cin standing by a tree
Literature & poetry

Tice Cin: Safe Spaces

Enter the world of the extraordinary new novel Safe Spaces in a multi-art form event
Purcell Room
More info for Creative Future Writers' Award Showcase
An audience sits in a row, looking up at a stage and clapping under warm lighting at a literary event or convention.
Literature & poetry

Creative Future Writers' Award Showcase

Find your next read at this year’s award showcase of under-represented writers
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Creative Future Writers' Award Showcase: Live Stream
Audience members chat and laugh in their seats during an intermission at a brightly lit indoor cultural event.
Literature & poetry

Creative Future Writers' Award Showcase: Live Stream

Find your next read at the live stream of this year’s award showcase of under-represented writers
Online Events
Tickets Free
More info for The Funny Business of Serious Literature
A man with salt-and-pepper facial hair and dark hair looks toward the camera with a gentle smile while sitting in a wheelchair near a coastal walkway with the sea in the background.
Literature & poetry

The Funny Business of Serious Literature

Literary legends offer a joyful refutation of the myth that serious literature must be solemn
Purcell Room
More info for Service95 Book Club: Fierce Sounds
Kae Tempest against a dark orange background
Literature & poetry

Service95 Book Club: Fierce Sounds

A stellar line-up of writers makes fiction feel alive, discussing rhythm, form and sound in writing
Queen Elizabeth Hall
More info for Service95 and English PEN: Censorship Live!
A man with blue eyes, a dark blazer, and a red patterned shirt sits with hands clasped, looking at the camera.
Literature & poetry

Service95 and English PEN: Censorship Live!

Readings, real-life stories and expert discussion confronting rising threats to written expression
Purcell Room
More info for Counterpoints Masterclass with Hisham Matar
A black-and-white photo of American-Libyan novelist and essayist Hisham Matar standing in a forest
Literature & poetry

Counterpoints Masterclass with Hisham Matar

Refine your creative writing in this two-hour masterclass with the Pulitzer Prize-winning author
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Wasafiri: New Writing Prize 2026
Four panelists sit on a stage speaking into microphones before an audience, with large windows overlooking a city at night.
Literature & poetry

Wasafiri: New Writing Prize 2026

Join the magazine of international contemporary writing as they announce their prize winners
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Service95 Book Club: Rewriting Male Tenderness
Author Caleb Azumah Nelson wearing an orange jumper standing in front of a tree
Literature & poetry

Service95 Book Club: Rewriting Male Tenderness

A life-affirming conversation with writers about masculinity, vulnerability and tenderness
Purcell Room
More info for The Goldsmiths Prize Shortlist Readings
Audience members seated in an auditorium chatting with the people around them
Literature & poetry

The Goldsmiths Prize Shortlist Readings

Join the six authors shortlisted for this year’s prize as they read from and discuss their novels
Purcell Room
More info for The Goldsmiths Prize Shortlist Readings: Live Stream
An audience sits close together in a lecture hall or theater, looking attentively toward a speaker off-camera.
Literature & poetry

The Goldsmiths Prize Shortlist Readings: Live Stream

Join online as the six authors shortlisted for this year’s prize read from and discuss their novels
Online Events
Tickets Free
More info for Xiaolu Guo: AI-esque
A three-quarter portrait of a smiling woman looking back over her shoulder, wearing a dark blazer and colorful earrings.
Literature & poetry

Xiaolu Guo: AI-esque

The writer delivers the 2026 New Statesman/Goldsmiths Prize Lecture, on fiction in the age of AI
Purcell Room
More info for Xiaolu Guo: AI-esque – Live Stream
A black and white close-up portrait of a woman looking over her shoulder, seated in front of large windows on a boat.
Literature & poetry

Xiaolu Guo: AI-esque – Live Stream

Join online for the writer’s 2026 New Statesman/Goldsmiths Prize Lecture, on fiction in the age of AI
Online Events
Tickets Free

While you're with us

Jeppe Hein: Appearing Rooms
People enjoying the Jeppe Hein Fountain at the Southbank Centre

Jeppe Hein: Appearing Rooms

A summer favourite returns to our site with water fountains to splash around and cool down in.

Shopping
Wooden displays in the Southbank centre shop, featuring books, plushies, and colourful merchandise

Shopping

A vibrant range of inspiring books, homeware, prints, accessories and more.

Klaus Weber: Thinking Fountains
Two statues; a green human body with water spouting from its neck and another of human legs with water pouring down from above displayed outdoors

Thinking
Fountains

Water cascades and spouts over Klaus Weber’s bronze figures.

Modified Social Benches
Two children eating ice cream on a red cirrcular bench

Modified Social Benches

Benches that challenge the space and distance we place between one another.

William Pye's Zemran
A photograph showing Riverside Terrace at Southbank Centre, with the metal sculpture Zemran in the foreground, next to Queen Elizabeth Hall

William Pye's Zemran

Pye’s beautiful stainless steel sculpture sits overlooking the Thames.

Natura Nostra Forest
Bright sunlight bursts through green leaves with a lens flare, set against a blue sky and a textured concrete building.

Natura Nostra Forest

Our growing pocket forest creating a natural oasis.