Notable Figures Announced for Edinburgh International Book Festival 2026
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and acclaimed crime writer Sir Ian Rankin are confirmed participants in the upcoming Edinburgh International Book Festival. The event will also feature best-selling author John Grisham, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon among its distinguished line-up.
Over 600 contributors, including writers, poets, illustrators, politicians, journalists, historians, scientists, philosophers, and playwrights from 41 countries, will take part in the 16-day festival.
The 2026 festival is scheduled to run from 15 to 30 August across multiple venues throughout Edinburgh.
Festival Theme and Programme Highlights
This year’s theme, "Changing Your Mind," encompasses a broad range of subjects such as fiction, politics, science, history, music, and live performance. Organisers encourage both participants and attendees to embrace open-mindedness and curiosity, emphasizing diverse perspectives.
Director Jenny Niven stated, "The festival programme speaks to the moment we're in and hopes it will help us gain a deeper understanding of both ourselves and each other."
Gordon Brown is expected to discuss issues surrounding global instability. Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon and former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin will reflect on their political careers as detailed in their memoirs, Frankly and Hope in Action, respectively.
Authors and Events
John Grisham and Ian Rankin will appear together as part of The Front List series at McEwan Hall. Rankin is renowned for his detective character, Detective Inspector John Rebus, who has featured in nearly 30 novels.
Other prominent fiction authors include Maggie O'Farrell, American award-winning writer Ann Patchett, and Yáng Shuāng-zi, the 2026 International Booker Prize recipient.
For the first time, Greyfriars Kirk will serve as a venue, hosting events that connect Scottish writers with international musicians, artists, and performers.
Focus on Politics, Current Affairs, and Artificial Intelligence
The festival programme will also give significant attention to politics, current affairs, and artificial intelligence. Contributors such as Fergus McIntosh from The New Yorker, Lewis Goodall, co-host of The News Agents podcast, and journalist Yi Ling Liu will explore topics including misinformation, data, and global narratives.
Experts in artificial intelligence, including Steve Crossan, a member of the original DeepMind team, and Sarah Wynn-Williams, former director of public policy at Facebook, will discuss AI regulation.
Family and Youth Programming
More than 150 events are planned for children and families, alongside a dedicated young adults programme tailored for audiences under 30 years of age.
Live and recorded sessions from the Spiegeltent will be available on BBC and from 17 to 21 August.
Festival Goals and Ticket Information
Jenny Niven added, "At a time when opinions seem increasingly polarised and online debate is so divisive, we're creating space for thoughtful, nuanced conversations - exploring the reasons for our increasing social and political divides, and how we might change each others' minds, or at least agree to disagree, more agreeably. We're also looking at the potential of the human brain to adapt and relearn, and at the unparalleled power of stories to change our thinking."
Tickets will be available to Book Festival members starting Wednesday, 17 June. Public sales will open at 10:00 on Thursday, 25 June.
