Dua Lipa to Lead London Literature Festival at Southbank Centre
Brit award-winning pop star Dua Lipa has been announced as the curator for the 19th edition of the London literature festival at the Southbank Centre. The festival, set to run from 21 October to 1 November 2026, will see Lipa collaborate with her Service95 book club to design a programme of events across the opening weekend and beyond. This news is part of the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary celebrations and coincides with the UK's National Year of Reading.
Lipa's Role and Literary Advocacy
Dua Lipa, who launched the Service95 book club in 2023 as an extension of her cultural platform, has become a prominent advocate for reading. Through monthly book selections and in-depth author interviews, she has highlighted both established writers and emerging voices, featuring conversations with figures like Margaret Atwood, George Saunders, and Olga Tokarczuk.
"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. "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."
Organisational Enthusiasm and Festival Details
Mark Ball, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, praised Lipa's influence: "Dua Lipa is a global cultural force with millions of fans around the world, and her passion for the written and spoken word has inspired a new generation of readers. We're absolutely thrilled that Dua will take the reins of our flagship London literature festival."
The 2026 festival will include a mix of ticketed and free events, showcasing both favourite writers selected by Lipa and new literary talents. Last year's festival was curated by Self Esteem, with past headliners including Ai Weiwei, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Tom Hanks, and Yulia Navalnaya.
Broader Southbank Centre Anniversary Programme
The Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary programme features additional events such as:
- You Are Here – a large-scale site takeover by Danny Boyle, Paulette Randall, Gareth Pugh, and Carson McColl (3 May).
- Harry Styles's Meltdown (11–21 June).
- Goalhanger: The Rest Is Fest (4–6 September).
- A major exhibition marking Anish Kapoor's return to the Hayward Gallery (16 June–18 October).
These events will be complemented by a nationwide programme spanning art, literature, and music, aiming to reach over one million people across more than 40 towns and cities in all four nations of the UK.
Impact and Future Announcements
Ted Hodgkinson, head of literature and spoken word at the Southbank Centre, noted: "Lipa's work has sparked a global conversation around books. In the National Year of Reading, we're delighted to be collaborating with Dua for the Southbank Centre's London literature festival, to draw fresh audiences into our iconic spaces."
The full programme for the 2026 festival is expected to be announced over the summer, with further details on events and participants to follow.
