In Dublin, books do not remain closed between their covers for long. The Dublin Book Festival brings readers, authors, illustrators and publishers together at venues across the Irish capital. With discussions, readings and literary walks, it offers another way to explore a city whose history is also told through words.
The Dublin Book Festival celebrates Ireland’s writers, illustrators and publishing houses. Its programme spans a range of genres: contemporary fiction, poetry, history, science, nature, children’s literature and non-fiction come together throughout the events.
In 2026, the festival celebrates its twentieth edition. More than 120 events are scheduled at over twenty venues across Dublin. The programme brings together established and emerging voices and offers visitors the chance to discover authors’ work beyond individual reading.
Conversations with writers are one of the festival’s central features. They offer the chance to hear how stories come into being, discover the research behind a book and discuss the questions explored by its authors.
The programme also includes book launches, themed discussions, creative workshops and literary walks. Events for children and families round out the programme, alongside events aimed at book professionals.
Among the meetings announced for 2026, Irish writers Roddy Doyle and Anne Enright will take part in a conversation about literature. Other events explore translation, nature, history and the relationship between literature and digital technology. The programme may change: check the details of each event before setting off.
The festival takes place in a city where literature and urban space are closely connected. Within a few streets of one another, bookshops, libraries and cultural venues make it possible to extend a meeting with a walk through the city centre.
To plan your stay, see our Dublin guide and discover the places, neighbourhoods and experiences that make up the Irish capital.
The festival takes place at several venues: check the exact address of each event and allow enough time to get from one to the next. Some events require booking and may sell out. The official Dublin Book Festival website provides the programme and the arrangements for each event.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
