London’s newest literary festival, the North London Book Fest returns to Alexandra Palace on Thursday 23 April to Sunday 26 April 2026, following the success of its inaugural outing in 2024.
Set once again in the Palace’s Grade II-listed East Wing, the four-day festival brings together stellar roster of headliners, with confirmed guests including Alan Hollinghurst, Tessa Hadley, Natalie Haynes, Michael Rosen, Ben Aaronovitch, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, Jeffrey Boakye, Laura Bates, Natasha Brown, Rachel Parris and more.
Events will take place across the Alexandra Palace Theatre, Creativity Pavilion and Transmitter Hall, offering a varied programme of author conversations, readings, panel discussions, workshops and book signings. Curated to appeal to readers of all ages, genres and interests, the North London Book Fest at Alexandra Palace will once again transform the Palace into a four-day cultural destination, celebrating the UK’s thriving literary scene.
Audiences can enjoy everything from deep dives into contemporary fiction and urban fantasy, to talks by leading children’s authors, and lively discussions on themes ranging from midlife to history, and identity to social change, including sessions with journalist Kate Muir and author Charlotte Mendelson.
Joint Festival Director and Head of Creative Learning at Alexandra Palace, Mark Civil says; “The North London Book Fest offers something for readers of every generation. From the acclaimed ‘writer’s writer’ Tessa Hadley to Booker Prize-winner Alan Hollinghurst, and Natasha Brown, one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists (2023). Young visitors can craft poetic verses about creepy crawlies and dinosaurs with Simon Mole, dress up as great women from history with suffragette descendant Kate Pankhurst, and join Onjali Q. Raúf for an inspiring workshop on writing and activism. We’re thrilled to welcome back Michael Rosen for his 80th birthday tour, along with Laura Bates, whose appearances were firm favourites at our inaugural festival.”
Joint Festival Director, Kate Ereira says; “The 2024 North London Book Fest confirmed our belief that North London is the natural home for a vibrant and diverse literary celebration, and it’s a joy to see the event grow. This year’s programme truly has something for everyone, from fans of Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London to lovers of the Hampstead Ladies’ Pond, explored by Nell Frizzell. Pride and Prejudice fans can dive deeper into Austen’s world with the brilliantly entertaining Rachel Parris, while Greek-myth enthusiasts can join rock-star mythologist Natalie Haynes as she returns to the Alexandra Palace Theatre. We can’t wait to welcome readers of all ages back to Alexandra Palace to enjoy a lively and varied festival.”
Alexandra Palace Chief Executive Emma Dagnes OBE adds; “Our learning activities are central to everything we do, working hand in hand with our much-loved events to make the arts open to everyone. Bringing people together at the Palace to share the joy of books and the stories behind them is something we truly cherish. We can’t wait to see everyone in April.”
North London Book Fest is supported by Waterstones, who will run the on-site bookshop, with funding provided by Tottenham Grammar School Foundation and Haringey Council.
The 2026 edition coincides with the finale of Biblio-Buzz, Alexandra Palace’s annual Children’s Book Award, which will bring up to 800 young people to the Alexandra Palace Theatre on Friday 24 April 2026. Alongside the literary programme, visitors can enjoy performances in the festival village from emerging musicians, spoken-word artists, stand-ups, and a wide range of learning and engagement activities for children and families.
The North London Book Fest opens on Thursday 23 April 2026 with events celebrating the connections between words and music. During the day, author and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s award-winning music programme Add to Playlist, Jeffrey Boakye, will lead a dynamic and interactive live event for school groups (Key Stage 3+), exploring the cultural, political and societal impact of influential music genres and the artists who shaped them, from Bob Marley and Aretha Franklin to Elton John and Lil Nas X. In the evening, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason introduces her new book To Be Young, Gifted and Black, a passionate defence of Black excellence in the arts, accompanied by live performances from Braimah and Konya Kanneh-Mason.
