Dua Lipa will curate the 2026 London Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre, with the event set to run from 21 October to 1 November 2026 as part of the venue’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
The global pop star will oversee the opening weekend programme on 24 and 25 October, alongside contributing to a wider series of cultural collaborations across the festival period. The announcement also aligns with the UK’s National Year of Reading.
A festival shaped by a global pop and publishing voice
The London Literature Festival, the capital’s longest-running celebration of the written word, will place Dua Lipa at the centre of its 2026 edition. The artist launched her Service95 Book Club in 2023, building a growing presence in publishing and literary advocacy.
Speaking about the role, she said:
“Reading has anchored me through every chapter of my life… Curating the Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival is a dream come true. I’m thrilled to indulge one of my greatest obsessions: books and the brilliant minds behind them.”
Her involvement is expected to shape a programme that blends music, literature and global culture, with a focus on accessibility and new audiences.
Southbank Centre marks 75 years with major cultural programme
Mark Ball, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, welcomed the appointment and highlighted her wider cultural influence.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that Dua will take the reins… applying her incredible creative talent… to connect audiences to our finest writers.”
The festival forms a key part of the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary activity, which also includes major contributions from Danny Boyle, Harry Styles and Anish Kapoor.
Focus on literacy and younger audiences
The 2026 edition arrives against a backdrop of declining reading engagement. According to a 2025 survey by the National Literacy Trust, only one in three children read in their spare time.
In response, this year’s programme will include free events, workshops and interactive formats designed to reconnect younger audiences with reading. Support from Bukhman Philanthropies will help expand access and outreach.
Ted Hodgkinson, Head of Literature and Spoken Word, said:
“Dua’s passion and insight have sparked a global conversation around books… It promises to be a momentous year.”
What to expect from the 2026 London Literature Festival
Full line-up details and ticket information are expected to be announced in summer 2026. Early indications suggest a cross-disciplinary programme combining authors, performers and cultural figures, with Dua Lipa’s curatorial input shaping both the tone and direction of the opening weekend.
