Swindon Festival of Literature 2026 programme launched with Mishal Husain and Natalie Haynes
Looking back, 6 April 2026: The 33rd Swindon Festival of Literature was launched with more than 30 events planned for 4 to 10 May, and guests including Mishal Husain, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, Daisy Fancourt and Natalie Haynes.
Looking backThis story covers news from . Swindo wrote it later from the published source, and published it on 12 November 2026. More from that day
Last updated: 12 November 2026
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Photo: Brian Robert Marshall via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source (illustrative photo of the place, not of the event)
The programme for the 2026 Swindon Festival of Literature was reported by Swindon24 on 6 April 2026, after a launch event attended by the Mayor of Swindon, Fay Howard. It was the festival's 33rd year, with more than 30 events at venues across the town.
The festival was due to run from 4 to 10 May 2026, opening with the Dawn Chorus in Lawn Woods and closing with the Festival Finale.
Who was on the bill?
The headline guests named were Mishal Husain, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, Daisy Fancourt and Natalie Haynes, with other speakers, writers and performers also due to appear.
The programme included author talks, panel discussions, workshops, performances and community-led sessions. Returning favourites were the Dawn Chorus, the Flash Fiction Slam and a Children and Families Day.
Where were the events?
Events were planned at the Arts Centre, the Central Library, Lydiard Park, Christ Church, Lower Shaw Farm and Swindon Hub.
Organiser Matt Holland said: "Words are powerful. We can use them to make sense of life".
The Mayor praised the festival's broad appeal and its ability to bring audiences to venues around the town.
The festival was supported by Arts Council England. 2026 was designated the National Year of Reading, and the festival tied its message to that. The report did not give ticket prices or times for individual events; it linked to a full list of events.
