Galle Literary Festival 2026 returns with 13th edition

• Iconic event to celebrate stories, art, performance and conversation in the heart of Galle Fort from 22 to 25 January with the return of the Children’s Festival and Art Trail

Award-winning author  Romesh Gunesekera

Galle Festival (Guarantee) Director Damita Nikapota

After the resounding success of its 2025 edition, the Galle Literary Festival is set to return for its 13th year from 22-25 January 2026, with the exclusive Opening Night scheduled for 21 January. Once again, the streets of the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort will be transformed into a vibrant stage for writers, thinkers, artists, and audiences from across Sri Lanka and around the world.

Renowned for its intimate atmosphere and powerful programming, GLF 2026 will offer four immersive days of literature, performance, creative dialogue, and cultural exploration. The Festival remains committed to spotlighting Sri Lankan, diaspora, and global voices, with a strong focus on diversity, inclusion, and genre-defying experiences.

“GLF never fails to give me a lift in this troubling world,” said International Booker Prize–shortlisted author Romesh Gunesekera. “The magnetism of Galle, the chance for unexpected conversations, new ideas, and surprise encounters, makes it a moment to be treasured. All thanks to a team that does the magic of bringing us together.”

The 2025 edition attracted over 8,000 attendees and featured more than 100 events spanning literature, politics, science, identity, cuisine, and culture. Highlights included panels on artificial intelligence and democracy, sessions on wildlife conservation and post-independence identity, and dynamic workshops with acclaimed writers and artists. Over half of the ticketed events sold out – a testament to GLF’s growing reach and cultural resonance.

The 2026 edition of the Festival will build on this momentum, with plans underway for an expanded program featuring film screenings, live performances, an enriched Children’s Festival, and the Art Trail – a contemporary art festival showcasing leading South Asian artists across the Fort.

Galle Festival (Guarantee) Ltd. Director Damita Nikapota said, “GLF has always been a uniquely intimate and enriching experience – a place where ideas, stories, and cultures converge in meaningful ways. As a not-for-profit initiative, we’re proud to have kept the Festival accessible to audiences over the years, and that remains a core commitment as we look ahead. That’s why partnerships play such an important role in how we continue to grow. For 2026, we’re collaborating with a diverse range of partners to bring fresh energy, creative opportunities, and sustainable support to the Festival, while staying true to everything people love about GLF.”

To support the Festival’s evolving ambitions, GLF is actively seeking like-minded partners who believe in the transformative power of arts, education, and cultural storytelling. Interested organisations are encouraged to reach out via [email protected].

The Festival’s iconic Opening Night returns on 21 January, ushering in the weekend with elegance and flair. For the first time, a limited number of public tickets will be released, offering a rare chance to be part of this unforgettable evening.

Since its launch in 2007 by Geoffrey Dobbs, the Galle Literary Festival has grown into one of South Asia’s most anticipated cultural events. With a unique blend of literature, art, cuisine, photography, and performance, the Festival offers a rare, intimate setting for authors and audiences to engage. Held within the historic walls of Galle Fort, the Festival champions creativity, community, and cultural exchange – placing Sri Lanka firmly on the global literary map.