It’s long been known that pop star Dua Lipa has great taste across the board – in fashion, in music, in men, in holiday destinations. But most of all, she has unparalleled taste in books. She’s of course a voracious reader herself (though God knows where she finds the time in between arena shows and beach-side holidays), but she’s also the founder of her own book club Service95, where she sits down with authors from Margaret Atwood to Roxanne Gay to recent Booker Prize winner David Szalay. But now she’s taking her reading career one step further – as the curator of this year’s London Literature Festival.
This year marks the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary programme, so Lipa’s literary curation will feature alongside Harry Styles’s Meltdown (11–21 June), Goalhanger: The Rest Is Fest (4–6 September), and a major exhibition marking Anish Kapoor’s return to the Hayward Gallery (16 June–18 October).
What is the London Literature Festival?
It’s an annual literary event held at the Southbank Centre in London. Now in its 19th year, it features a wide range of talks, readings and discussions with both established authors and emerging voices. The festival brings together writers, thinkers and audiences to celebrate books and storytelling.
Last year, the festival was curated by Self Esteem, and previous curators include Ai Weiwei, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Tom Hanks and Yulia Navalnaya.
What is Dua Lipa doing as curator this year?
The singer will be curating the 2026 edition of the festival, meaning she will shape and select parts of the programme. She is working in collaboration with her book club, Service95, to highlight both her favourite writers and new literary voices. She will also be lead events across the opening weekend and beyond.
“Reading has anchored me through every chapter of my life – from being the new kid at school in a new country to finding quiet refuge on tour,” Lipa said of the appointment. “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.”
When is the festival?
The festival will run from 21 October to 1 November 2026.
How can I attend?
The festival will include a mix of ticketed and free events, so you can attend by booking tickets for specific sessions or joining free programming.
The full schedule and ticket details are expected to be announced on the London Literature Festival website closer to the event (in London summer, so mid-year around June or July).
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