Cheltenham Literature Festival has announced a 2026 programme featuring television personalities, authors and journalists including Dame Prue Leith, Dame Mary Berry and Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood. The 10-day event matters as a major cultural fixture for the town, bringing established names and newer voices together across venues in Cheltenham.

Running from 9 to 18 October, the festival will host more than 500 contributors in and around Montpellier Gardens. Highlights include discussions with Maggie O’Farrell, David Szalay, Helen Fielding and Yann Martel, plus a tribute to the late Dame Jilly Cooper led by Caitlin Moran; priority tickets go on sale on 27 August and general tickets on 3 September.