Most people know Dua Lipa can fill an arena. Fewer know she can talk for an hour about a novel and make it feel like the most urgent thing in the world. She has quietly been running one of the most influential book clubs on the internet for three years, and this autumn she is taking that obsession somewhere unexpected: onto a stage on the South Bank, not to sing, but to interview some of the best writers alive.
That is the twist at the heart of the London Literature Festival 2026. The pop star is the curator, the building is the Southbank Centre, and the result is a two-week programme that has readers and the merely curious equally intrigued. The Dua Lipa literature festival takeover has turned a respected book event into one of the autumn’s hottest tickets. Here is who is appearing, what actually happens at a festival built around books, how the tickets work, and how to get to Waterloo and home again without stress.
| At a Glance | Details |
| What | The UK’s oldest literature festival |
| Who For | Book lovers, students and newcomers |
| Dates | 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026 |
| Where | Southbank Centre, London |
| Highlights | Dua Lipa, Zadie Smith, Patti Smith & Mustafa |
Who Is Curating the 2026 Festival, and Why Dua Lipa?
Image Source: lithub.com
On paper, handing a literature festival to a pop star sounds like a gimmick. In practice, it is one of the most fitting picks the Southbank Centre could have made, and the reason comes down to something she started three years ago.
The Pop Star Who Reads
Dua Lipa is a genuine, lifelong reader, and she has never been shy about it. In 2023 she launched the Service95 Book Club, a monthly pick where she chooses a book, reads it alongside her audience and then interviews the author for an accompanying podcast. It has grown into one of the most talked-about service95 book club communities online, pulling in huge names and turning her recommendations into instant bestsellers.
So when the Southbank Centre went looking for a curator for its flagship literary festival london audiences have loved for nearly two decades, she was not a wildcard. She was the obvious choice. In her words, “reading has anchored me through every chapter of my life”, and this festival is her chance to indulge what she calls one of her greatest obsessions in public.
| Fun Fact |
| The London Literature Festival is the capital’s oldest festival of its kind, and 2026 marks its 19th edition. It also lands in the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary year and the UK’s National Year of Reading, which is a lot of candles on one cake. |
What Curating Actually Means Here
This is not a case of a celebrity lending a name to a poster. Dua Lipa has shaped the programme, chosen many of the writers, and is personally hosting several of the headline conversations. The festival programme blends her favourite authors, both established and emerging, with a spread of free events, poetry nights and debates, all delivered in partnership with her Service95 Book Club.
When and Where Is the London Literature Festival 2026?
The logistics are refreshingly simple, which matters when you are trying to fit a book talk around real life. Here is what to lock in first.
| Detail | Information |
| Festival | London Literature Festival 2026 (19th edition) |
| Curator | Dua Lipa, founder of the Service95 Book Club |
| Dates | Wednesday 20 October – Sunday 1 November 2026 |
| Venue | Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX |
| Main halls | Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Clore Ballroom |
| Nearest station | Waterloo, a five-minute walk |
Two Weeks on the South Bank
The festival runs for twelve days, from 20 October to 1 November, across the Southbank Centre’s cluster of riverside venues. The bigger in-conversation events take the larger halls, while readings, workshops and free programming fill the foyers and smaller rooms. It is right on the Thames next to the National Theatre and the BFI, so an evening event pairs neatly with a riverside walk or dinner beforehand.
What Are the Must-See Events?
The programme is deep, but a handful of nights are the ones people will be talking about. These are the london literary events of the London Literature Festival to build a plan around, most of them hosted by Dua Lipa herself.
| Date | Event | What It Is |
| 20 Oct | Ta-Nehisi Coates with Tareq Baconi | A weighty opening-night conversation on politics and Palestine |
| 22 Oct | Nadia Murad | The Nobel Peace Prize laureate on her memoir I Choose My Beginning |
| 24 Oct | Dua Lipa x Zadie Smith | Marking 25 years of the novel White Teeth |
| 25 Oct | Dua Lipa x Patti Smith | The punk icon on her new memoir Bread of Angels |
| 30 Oct | Kae Tempest | A headline night of poetry and music |
Dua Lipa and Zadie Smith
The hottest ticket of the opening weekend. On 24 October, Dua Lipa sits down with Zadie Smith to mark a quarter-century of White Teeth, the debut novel that made Smith a literary star at 24. Expect a proper deep dive into one of the defining British novels of the century, led by an interviewer who has clearly done the reading.
Dua Lipa and Patti Smith
The following evening, 25 October, brings a genuine legend to the stage. Patti Smith, the godmother of punk and a National Book Award-winning writer, discusses her new memoir Bread of Angels. Two generations of artists, one stage, and a conversation that spans music and the page.
Mustafa, and the Poetry Nights
Also on 24 October, Dua Lipa hosts the Sudanese-Canadian poet and musician Mustafa on his collection Nour. Elsewhere the programme leans hard into spoken word, with a headline night from Kae Tempest on 30 October and the long-running Out-Spoken poetry and music evening earlier in the run.
The Bigger Conversations
Beyond the star names, the festival tackles serious ground. Nobel laureate Nadia Murad presents her memoir, Ta-Nehisi Coates opens the festival with a conversation on Palestine, and a Service95 and English PEN event, Censorship Live!, takes on free expression head-on. There is also a 25th anniversary celebration of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses, a landmark of British young-adult fiction.
What Actually Happens at a Literature Festival?
Image Source: telegraph.co.uk
If you have never been to one, the format can sound mysterious. It is simpler and far more fun than it sounds, so here is what a night actually involves.
The In-Conversation Event
The core format is two people on a stage: a writer and an interviewer, talking for around an hour about a book, a life and the ideas behind them, usually followed by audience questions. Done well, it feels less like a lecture and more like eavesdropping on the best dinner-party conversation you have ever heard. This is where the festival lives.
Readings, Poetry and Music
Not everything is a straight interview. Poets perform their work, sometimes backed by live music, and nights like the Kae Tempest and Out-Spoken events blur the line between a reading and a gig entirely. These are the events that convert people who thought poetry was not for them.
Signings, Bookshops and Free Programming
Most ticketed events end with a book signing, so you can meet the author and get a copy inscribed. There is a festival bookshop on site, and crucially a whole layer of free programming, including family-friendly and community events, that you can drop into without a ticket at all. You do not need to spend a penny to feel part of it.
Fun fact: the Southbank Centre keeps a large chunk of the festival free, part of a long tradition of open, walk-in culture on the South Bank. Some of the best moments of the fortnight cost nothing.
How Much Are Tickets and How Do You Book?
This is the part to sort early, because the marquee conversations sell fast once a name like Patti Smith is attached. Here is how it works.
Prices and Tiers
Ticket prices vary by event rather than sitting at one flat rate. As a rough guide, an author talk at the Southbank Centre typically runs from around £15 to £40, with the big headline conversations at the upper end and free events dotted throughout. Treat those as ballpark figures and check each event page for the exact price, as the marquee nights are priced individually.
| Event Type | Rough Price | Notes |
| Free programming | £0 | Family events, some talks and foyer happenings |
| Standard author talk | £15–£25 | The bulk of the programme |
| Headline in-conversation | £25–£40+ | The Dua Lipa-hosted nights |
How and When to Book
Tickets are booked through the Southbank Centre’s own website, event by event. Members get first access, followed by Service95 members, then the general public, so if a specific night matters to you it is worth checking membership options before general sale. For the headline events, book the moment you can rather than the week of, because the best seats go early.
What Should You Read Before You Go?
Image Source: alfaenlinea.com
You absolutely do not need to have read anything to enjoy a talk. But arriving with even one of the books under your belt makes the conversation land harder. Here are the ones worth a look.
| Book | Author | Why It Matters |
| White Teeth | Zadie Smith | The 25-year-old debut being celebrated on 24 October |
| Bread of Angels | Patti Smith | Her latest memoir, the subject of the 25 October talk |
| Nour | Mustafa | The poetry collection behind his festival appearance |
| I Choose My Beginning | Nadia Murad | The Nobel laureate’s memoir of survival and hope |
| Noughts & Crosses | Malorie Blackman | The YA landmark marking its 25th anniversary |
Start With the Headliners
If you are only going to read one, make it the book tied to the event you are attending. Reading White Teeth before the Zadie Smith night, or Bread of Angels before Patti Smith, turns you from a spectator into someone in on the conversation.
Or Just Turn Up Curious
Equally, there is no shame in walking in cold. A good in-conversation event is designed to send you out wanting to read the book, not to punish you for not having done so. The festival bookshop will be more than happy to help with that afterwards.
What Should You Sort Before the Festival?
A few small decisions make a South Bank evening glide rather than grind. None of this is complicated, but all of it helps.
1. Book the Headliners First
The Dua Lipa-hosted nights are the ones that sell out. Decide which you cannot miss and book those before you fill in the rest of your plan around them.
2. Build in Time by the River
The Southbank Centre sits in one of the best pockets of London, next to the National Theatre, the BFI and a string of restaurants. Arrive early, eat by the river, and make an evening of it rather than sprinting in at the last minute. If you are stringing together a wider autumn of culture, it slots neatly alongside the BBC Proms and the London Design Festival.
3. Mix Paid and Free
Pair a headline talk with some of the free programming earlier in the day. It is the cheapest way to get the full festival feel, and the walk-in events are often where the surprises happen.
4. Bring Your Book for Signings
If there is an author you love, bring your own copy or plan to buy one on site. Most ticketed events finish with a signing, and it is a small thrill to walk away with an inscribed book.
5. Plan the Journey Home
Central London on an autumn evening empties fast once events end. As with any big night out, from a Wembley concert to a festival day, having your route home sorted in advance beats standing on a cold platform second-guessing the last train.
How Do You Get to the Southbank Centre?
The Southbank Centre is one of the easiest cultural venues in London to reach, though the surrounding streets get busy when the theatres and concert halls all empty at once.
By Tube and Train
Waterloo is the nearest hub, about a five-minute walk, served by the Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo and Waterloo & City lines plus National Rail. Embankment across the river, Waterloo East and Charing Cross are all within easy reach too, so there is rarely a bad way in by public transport.
By Road and Private Transfer
Driving into central London means the congestion charge and very limited parking, so it is rarely worth it for an evening event. For groups, anyone coming from further out, or a night when you would rather not navigate Waterloo’s crowds, a pre-booked event transfer to the door is the easy option. A minibus works well for a book group making a night of it, and if you are arriving by train from elsewhere, our station transfer service covers Waterloo and the other main London terminals.
Travelling In From Further Afield
Plenty of people will travel for the headline names. Fixed-price, door-to-door rides run from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted with flight tracking and meet-and-greet, so a delayed train or plane does not cost you the talk. If you are weighing the options on cost, our guide to the cheapest way from Heathrow into London breaks down what each route really costs.
So, Is the London Literature Festival Worth a Ticket?
If you love books, the London Literature Festival is the easiest yes of the autumn. A programme this deep, hosted in a building this good, with a curator who genuinely cares about the material, does not come along often. And if you are coming mainly because you are a Dua Lipa fan, curious what she does when she is not on tour, you may find yourself leaving with a reading list and a new habit.
Pick one headline conversation, add a free event or two around it, and let the South Bank do the rest. Sort your travel in advance and the evening runs like clockwork.
Worried About Crowded Trains or Getting Home After the Festival?
My London Transfer makes your journey simple with our reliable event transfer service, offering fixed-price, door-to-door travel to and from the Southbank Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When Is the London Literature Festival 2026?
The festival runs from Wednesday 20 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 at the Southbank Centre in central London. It spans twelve days, with events scheduled across daytimes and evenings, so there is something on almost every day of the fortnight.
2. Is Dua Lipa Actually Appearing in Person?
Yes. Dua Lipa is the festival’s curator and is personally hosting several headline conversations, including in-conversation events with Zadie Smith and Patti Smith across the opening weekend of 24 and 25 October. She has also shaped the wider programme in partnership with her Service95 Book Club.
3. Where Is the Festival Held?
All events take place at the Southbank Centre on Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX, using its cluster of riverside venues including the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Clore Ballroom. It sits directly on the Thames, next to the National Theatre and the BFI.
4. How Much Do Tickets Cost?
Prices vary by event. As a general guide, standard author talks tend to run from around £15 to £25, with headline conversations rising to £40 or more, and a significant amount of free programming throughout. Always check the individual event page for the exact price, as the marquee nights are priced on their own.
5. How Do I Book Tickets?
Tickets are booked through the Southbank Centre’s official website on an event-by-event basis. Access opens in stages, with members first, then Service95 members, then the general public. For the most in-demand events, booking as early as possible is strongly advised.
6. What Is the Service95 Book Club?
Service95 Book Club is the monthly book club Dua Lipa founded in 2023. She selects a book each month, reads it with her audience, and interviews the author on an accompanying podcast. The 2026 festival is programmed in partnership with the club, and several events carry its name.
7. Do I Need to Have Read the Books First?
Not at all. The in-conversation format is designed to be enjoyable whether or not you know the work, and a good talk often leaves you wanting to read the book afterwards. That said, reading the relevant title beforehand does make the headline conversations richer if you have the time.
8. Are There Free Events?
Yes. A meaningful part of the programme is free, including family-friendly sessions and foyer events you can drop into without a ticket. It is part of the Southbank Centre’s long tradition of open, accessible culture, and it means you can experience the festival on any budget.
9. Is the Festival Suitable for Families and Younger Readers?
It can be. Alongside the adult talks there is programming aimed at families and younger readers, and events like the Noughts & Crosses anniversary will appeal to teenagers. Check the age guidance on individual event pages, as the headline evening conversations are pitched at an adult audience.
10. What Time Do Events Take Place?
Events run across the day and into the evening, with the big in-conversation nights typically scheduled for late afternoon or evening slots. Exact times are listed on each event page, so it is worth planning your day around the specific talks you want to see.
11. How Do I Get to the Southbank Centre?
The nearest station is Waterloo, about a five-minute walk, with Embankment, Charing Cross and Waterloo East also close by. Driving is impractical due to the congestion charge and limited parking, so most visitors arrive by public transport or a pre-booked transfer, especially in the evening.
12. What Else Is On Nearby?
The Southbank Centre sits in one of London’s richest cultural stretches, next to the National Theatre, the BFI Southbank and a long parade of riverside restaurants and bars. It is easy to build a full day or evening around a single event, and the whole area is a pleasure to walk even off-season.
