The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is set to return to Dubai in January 2026 with an expansive programme featuring some of the world’s most celebrated authors, regional literary voices, and engaging cultural experiences. Running from 21 to 27 January at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, the 18th edition of this much-anticipated annual event promises a vibrant mix of talks, workshops, performances, and interactive sessions designed to inspire and connect readers, writers, and thinkers from across the globe. Tickets for sessions start at Dhs 50.
More than 200 speakers from over 40 countries will take part in the week-long festival, offering a rich programme that spans popular fiction, poetry, non-fiction, Arabic literature, and cultural discourse. The event has become a highlight of the region’s cultural calendar, attracting audiences keen to engage with authors, industry figures, and literary enthusiasts in a dynamic setting.
One of the most talked-about sessions of the festival will centre on Life Taught Me, a new book by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Festival organisers have also introduced creative and interactive experiences for 2026. Among these is Highrise Homicide, an engaging mystery event set in a fictional tower block that invites attendees to unravel clues and interact with characters in a unique narrative format. There will also be a special Burns Night celebration featuring readings and music from Scottish poets, adding cultural diversity to the festival schedule.
International Literary Stars
A highlight of the 2026 lineup is the presence of internationally renowned authors and cultural figures. Asma Khan, the London-based chef and restaurateur known for her acclaimed Darjeeling Express restaurant and appearance on Netflix’s Chef’s Table, will share stories and insights from her career, blending culinary creativity with cultural storytelling.
British crime novelist Ruth Ware, whose bestselling work The Woman in Cabin 10 was adapted into a Netflix film, will participate in an in-conversation session, sharing her experiences and perspectives on writing gripping, character-driven fiction.
Also confirmed is Scott Turow, the American author and lawyer behind the classic legal thriller Presumed Innocent. Turow’s work helped define the modern courtroom drama and remains influential in contemporary crime fiction. His presence at the festival will attract fans of legal narratives and literary fiction alike.
The festival will also feature UK author and illustrator Curtis Jobling, known for his Wereworld series, which is being adapted into the Netflix animation Wolf King, and British Book Award-winning writer Caleb Azumah Nelson, whose novel Open Water has received international acclaim.
Celebrating Arab Literary Voices
A core part of the Emirates LitFest experience is the platform it provides for Arab authors and regional literary talent. Lebanese novelist Hoda Barakat, winner of the 2025 Sheikh Zayed Book Award for Literature for her novel Hind or the Most Beautiful Woman in the World, will be among the distinguished regional voices featured at the festival.
Joining her are Egyptian writer Ezzat Elkamhawi, recipient of the Naguib Mahfouz Medal, and Jordanian novelist Jalal Barjas, celebrated for works such as Snakes of Hell and The Notebooks of the Bookseller. Kuwaiti author Saud Al Sanousi, whose novel The Bamboo Stalk was adapted into a television series, will also discuss his influences and literary journey.
Additional regional guests include Egyptian novelist and poet Omar Taher and Palestinian author, journalist, and poet Plestia Alaqad, bringing diverse perspectives from across the Arab literary world.
Homegrown and Emerging Talent
Emirati authors continue to play a central role in the festival’s programming, showcasing the depth and breadth of local talent. Poet Ali Al Mazmi, recipient of the Best Poetry Collection Award at the Silk Road Festival, will appear alongside poet and writer Shamma Al Bastaki, whose work explores themes of memory, heritage, and contemporary Gulf identity.
Other homegrown voices include Salha Obaid, winner of the Al Owais Creative Writing Award; veteran poet Shihab Ghanem; and historical fiction author Reem Al Kamali. International Prize for Arabic Fiction-shortlisted author Nadia Al Najjar will also return to the festival programme.
Children’s literature is represented by Sheikh Zayed Book Award winner Hessa Almehairi and author and illustrator Maitha Al Khayat, who will bring stories and creativity to younger audiences and families attending the event.
Festival Traditions and Highlights
In addition to author talks and panels, several festival traditions will return for 2026. Desert Stanzas, an open-air night of poetry and performance, remains a highlight, featuring a mix of regional and international voices in a unique outdoor setting.
LitFest After Hours will offer evening entertainment, including music, comedy, and storytelling, providing a relaxed atmosphere for festival-goers to connect and unwind. Discovery Talks will also continue, offering succinct and engaging lectures from writers, historians, and cultural commentators.
Several Arab literary institutions will use the festival as a platform to celebrate milestones. The Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation will honour the centenary of Emirati poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais, and the Saif Ghobash Banipal Translation Prize will bring past winners together to celebrate two decades of excellence in translation. Panels reflecting on 25 years of Arabic and Islamic travel writing will also be presented through the Ibn Battuta Award for Geographic Literature series.