News Release
Wednesday 13 May 2026
EALING BOOK FESTIVAL 2026 ACHIEVES RECORD NUMBER OF VISITORS, WITH OVER 3,400 PEOPLE ATTENDING EXPANDED PROGRAMME
Ealing Book Festival 2026 hit new heights with visitor numbers exceeding 3,400 across the expanded programme. Celebrating its third year, the 2026 Festival sold almost 3,000 tickets, a nearly 100% increase on 2025. A further 300 pupils and their teachers participated in several schools’ events, and the Ealing Book Festival Family Day at Southall’s Dominion Centre on 9 May further increased visitor figures to 3,400.
Extended to five days in April and May, the 2026 Festival comprised 26 events featuring a diverse array of literary talent including internationally-established names such as William Boyd, Jung Chang and Anthony Horowitz, emerging literary talents Oyinkan Braithwaite and Lucy Steeds and authors highly respected in their fields such as Andrew Graham-Dixon, Simon Jenkins, Alan Johnson, Robert Macfarlane, Blake Morrison, Mary Portas and John Robb and over 29 local authors.
Of the 26 events, 11 were held at the University of West London (UWL), which saw talks by former alumna Jung Chang and novelist William Boyd achieve the biggest ever audiences for Ealing Book Festival events. Festival organisers also worked closely with UWL on three special schools’ events, including the culmination of a unique oracy project led by Alain ‘Fusion’ Clapham, which showcased pupils from five local primary schools performing their poetry to a live audience.
Anthony Horowitz at Ealing Book Festival 2026
Abi Daré and Oyinkan Braithwaite at Ealing Book Festival 2026
The Local Authors’ Showcase was also held at the University of West London where 20 local authors presented their work to an enthusiastic audience compered by Jojo Silva. This year over 70 authors applied for a place. A further nine authors and poet and artist Narvir Singh took part in events at Ealing Book Festival’s inaugural Family Day at Southall’s Dominion Centre on 9 May 2026.
On Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May, Festival events took place at Questors Theatre in Ealing Broadway for the first time, again allowing for larger audiences than in previous years, including presentation-style talks by Andrew Graham-Dixon and Simon Jenkins, an in-conversation with Alan Johnson and Ealing resident John Sergeant, and an interactive family event with Stephen Mangan and Anita Mangan.
The final two events of the Festival were culturally themed and took place at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery. Lucy Steeds talked about her debut novel The Artist and Dan Cruickshank discussed the development of the English house.
Four guided literary walks around Ealing led by Alan Fortune and Elaine Wein again proved popular. Throughout the Festival, roving local poet James Pendle recited poems to further entertain audiences.
Quotes from authors and Chair of Ealing Book Festival:
“It can prove difficult to run a successful book festival in London so I’m delighted to see that Ealing Book Festival is going from strength to strength.” - Simon Jenkins who spoke at the Festival about his book, A Short History of America: From Tea Party to Trump.
“It was a great festival. Lovely location, really well organised, great people.” - Alan Johnson, who discussed his biography of Harold Wilson.
"Thank you for such a warm, curious and enthusiastic afternoon of all the best things: art, books and good people.” - Lucy Steeds, who discussed her novel, The Artist.
"I had a terrific time; it was superbly run and well attended, and I felt made very welcome." - Robert Macfarlane, who spoke about his book, Is A River Alive?
"I really enjoyed the event last night - great team to work with and lovely audience and brilliant questions." - John Robb, who discussed his book, Live Forever: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Oasis.
"I enjoyed it very much - great chair, lovely attentive audience and such a successful festival." - Blake Morrison, who spoke to Georgina Godwin about his new book, On Memoir: An A-Z of Life Writing.
Catherine Jaquiss, Chair, Ealing Book Festival, said: “We are delighted with the positive response from authors, audiences and schools to Ealing Book Festival 2026. It has been really exciting and rewarding to work with new partners and in new ways this year as we continue to bring reading and the joy of books to audiences across Ealing and beyond. We are hugely grateful to all our funders, partners and venues who supported us this year, and particularly for the ongoing dedication of our volunteers who ensure that the Festival continues to be a success.”