Dua Lipa unveils star-studded line-up for 2026 London Literature Festival

Dua Lipa has announced the full programme for the 2026 London Literature Festival, bringing together acclaimed authors, poets, musicians and cultural figures for the annual event at London's Southbank Centre.

Running from October 21 to November 1, the festival has been curated by the Grammy-winning singer in partnership with her Service95 Book Club. Lipa said it had been "a true joy" to shape this year's programme, adding that audiences would be joined by "icons" alongside some of today's most exciting literary and creative voices.

Among the headline events, Lipa will interview celebrated novelist Zadie Smith about her acclaimed debut novel White Teeth and the experience of finding literary success at a young age. She will also sit down with music legend Patti Smith to discuss her memoir Bread of Angels. Other featured guests include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, Sudanese-Canadian poet and musician Mustafa, writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, author Tareq Baconi and poet Kae Tempest.

The programme will also feature conversations on translated fiction, poetry and music, as well as a special event on censorship presented in partnership with English PEN. Southbank Centre artistic director Mark Ball praised Lipa's "deep curiosity about the world", saying she was the ideal curator as the venue celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Lipa launched the Service95 Book Club in 2023 as an extension of her editorial platform, where she regularly interviews acclaimed authors and champions reading among her global fanbase. The literature festival continues that mission by bringing together influential voices from across literature, music and public life.

Tickets will go on sale to Southbank Centre members on August 3, Service95 members on August 4, and the general public on August 5.