Bibliophiles, are you ready for the 19th edition of the much awaited Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF)? Known as the ‘greatest literary show on Earth’, is all set to return in January 2026. Over the years, it has become one of India’s most loved cultural events hosting writers, thinkers, poets, artists and readers from across the world. Known for its open access, lively debates and wide range of voices, JLF has become a space where literature meets politics, history, art and everyday life.
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming edition of the festival.
Jaipur Literature Festival 2026: Venue and dates
The Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 will be held from 15 to 19 January 2026 at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. Presented by Vedanta and organised by Teamwork Arts, the festival will once again take place in the open, sunlit courtyards that have become synonymous with the JLF experience.
Now in its 19th year, the festival continues to hold its position as the world’s largest free literary festival. Every year, it attracts thousands of visitors, including students, authors, publishers and book lovers.
Speakers and sessions at JLF 2026
JLF 2026 promises an expansive and diverse lineup of speakers. Spread over five days, the festival will have over 300 sessions and more than 500 speakers from India and abroad. The event is co-directed by writers William Dalrymple and Namita Gokhale.
The speaker list includes Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, bestselling authors, historians, politicians, journalists, artists and innovators. The festival will also celebrate India’s linguistic diversity, with sessions held in languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Rajasthani, Tamil and Sanskrit, alongside English.
Among the notable names, Booker Prize winner Kiran Desai will return to Jaipur to speak about her latest novel, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, which explores themes of migration, identity and modern relationships. Banu Mushtaq, following her International Booker Prize win, will present Heart Lamp, a work that looks closely at inner resistance and the lived realities of Muslim women in southern India.
Conversations beyond literature
As always, JLF 2026 will go beyond books. The festival’s political and public life sessions are expected to draw large audiences. Former Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will be in conversation with journalist Georgina Godwin, expressing his views on leadership, political responsibility and personal identity.
Comedian and actor Vir Das will discuss his memoir The Outsider, sharing his thoughts on themes of belonging, migration and memory. Adding a different perspective, chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand will speak about his early years and journey in Lightning Kid.
Music, markets and evening performances
JLF is not just about daytime talks. The Jaipur Music Stage, often called the festival’s sonic soul, will return with evening performances across genres. The lineup includes Soumik Datta | Travellers, Vasu Dixit Collective, Parvaaz and Thaikkudam Bridge. These concerts have become a major attraction, offering festivalgoers a chance to unwind after a day of discussions.
Apart from music, you can also explore book stalls, food courts, merchandise zones and art installations spread across the venue.
How to register for Jaipur Literature Festival 2026?
Registrations for Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 are now open. Student registration is priced at Rs 100 and is valid for all five days. General registration starts at Rs 200 and includes access to session venues and festival areas.
For those looking for a premium experience, the Friend of the Festival pass starts at Rs 14,000. Jaipur Music Stage passes are available from Rs 499, while Jaipur BookMark, South Asia’s largest publishing conclave, starts at Rs 1,500.
