By Isle of Wight Observer
Tickets for the 2026 Isle of Wight Literary Festival are now on sale… but it is not just about the headliners.
Like any good festival, there is lots more to be seen if you take time to study the detail.
In the case of the literary festival, which runs in Cowes from October 8-11, there are some hidden gems, such as Michael Gray talking about Bob Dylan’s Isle of Wight connections, political pundit, Iain Dale, telling it like it is, and a look through the lens of Royal photographer, Hugo Burnand.
There are special events ranging from former Queen’s butler, Grant Harrold staging a Seabourn-sponsored tea party and talk on Royal etiquette, to a murder-mystery, planned by top crime writer, Ann Cleeves, and a musical evening with G4 member and Cowes resident, Mike Christie.
The HTP-sponsored LitFeast Marquee, features demonstrations from Michelin-starred chef, Chris Galvin, Great British Bake-Off finalist, Miranda Gore Brown, and Eric Lanlard, a French pâtissier and celebrity chef.
And don’t forget the Write on Wight local author segment, giving Island writers the chance to promote themselves.
Away from the main event, the Schools’ Programme is offering every school on the IW the chance to host top children’s authors in the Year of Reading.
Get your tickets and see the full programme at www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.com.