Category: NEWS

Harrogate International Festivals today revealed the full programme for the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, the world’s largest and most prestigious celebration of crime fiction, at a special reception at Hachette, Carmelite House in London.

This year’s programme has been curated by bestselling psychological thriller writer Lisa Jewell and features over 140 crime and thriller writers, making it the biggest event ever in the Festival’s illustrious twenty-three-year history. An all-star line-up of bestselling authors and crime fiction names including Richard Armitage, Ardal O’Hanlon, Andi Osho, Denise Mina, Adam Kay, Abir Mukherjee, Elly Griffiths, Vaseem Khan, Val McDermid and M.W. Craven join Special Guest headliners Ann Cleeves and Brenda Blethyn, Anthony Horowitz, Holly Jackson, Chris Brookmyre, Chris Whitaker, Jane Harper, LJ Ross, Nadine Matheson, Gillian McAllister, Steve Cavanagh, Alice Feeney, and US crime superstar David Baldacci, on the packed programme.

Taking place at Harrogate’s Old Swan Hotel from 23-26 July, this year’s Festival offers crime fiction fans even more opportunities to hear from superstar writers and discover new talent with the launch of the Swift Half Stage. This innovative new space championing brilliant storytellers, rising stars and boundary-pushing creatives in a series of bite-size events, features authors including Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, Mick Herron, Ahana Virdi, Will Carver, Clare McGowan, Kia Abdullah and Traitor’s star Harriet Tyce.

Festival highlights include the prestigious Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards Ceremony and the much-anticipated Critics’ New Blood panel showcasing four extraordinary debut novelists, Anna Maloney, Leodora Darlington, M.K. Oliver and Mel Pennant, selected by leading crime fiction critics. For aspiring writers, Creative Thursday offers an immersive day of workshops and talks led by industry experts and bestselling writers including A.A Dhand, GR Halliday and Julie Mae Cohen, with the rare opportunity to pitch work in the ‘Dragon’s Pen.’

From dark domestic noir to the impact of technology on the criminal mind and a celebration of Agatha Christie’s enduring influence on the genre fifty years after her death, there is plenty to thrill everyone on this year’s programme. Evenings offer exclusive opportunities for fans to engage with authors at relaxed events, include the hilarious Interview Bingo and the hotly contested Late Night Quiz, compèred by Val McDermid and Mark Billingham. Two Author Dinners will see readers join forces with crime writers K.T. Nguyen, Sean Watkins, Emma Christie, Rupa Mahadevan, William Hussey and many others to solve a fiendishly twisty murder mystery, hosted by Mel Pennant.

Lisa Jewell, bestselling author and 2026 Festival Programming Chair said:

“This year marks Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s twenty-third year. Every year it gets a bit better, a bit bigger, more polished and more exciting, and 2026 promises to be the best Festival yet. We were spoiled for choice when we compiled this year’s programme; never before have there been as many rich pickings in the fields of crime, thrillers and debuts, and this year’s programme is overflowing with new voices, old voices, literary legends and Festival favourites. So, here’s to 2026; let the sun shine, the drinks flow and a bounty of brilliant writers cast their spells as we gather together to enjoy an unmissable year at the best crime-writing Festival in the world.”

Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston Ltd, said:

“We are extremely proud to support this world class event for an incredible twenty-third year and welcome over 140 writers for what promises to be our biggest and boldest Festival ever. Lisa Jewell and the committee have delivered an outstanding programme packed with legends of the genre, massive internationally bestselling authors, rising stars, thrilling panels and exclusive events. We look forward to an unforgettable Festival as we celebrate the very best in global crime writing this summer.”

Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“We are thrilled to reveal the full programme for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, curated by Lisa Jewell and the Programming Committee. As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Harrogate International Festivals, we are excited to expand the Festival by introducing the Swift Half Stage to offer even more for our community of crime fiction fans to discover and enjoy this year. Whether you are a reader or a writer – and whether you’ve been coming to the Festival for twenty-three years or this will be your first time – we look forward to welcoming you to Harrogate in July.”

Weekend and Day Rover tickets on sale from 16 April, with individual events on sale from 13 May.

One of the world’s most inspirational pianists, Nicholas McCarthy was born without his right hand and has gone on to achieve international acclaim through his talent, determination, and a pioneering spirit. Overcoming widespread discouragement in his early years, Nicholas graduated from the Royal College of Music, London, in 2012 – making history as the first one-handed pianist to graduate in the institution’s 130-year history. That same year he performed at the closing ceremony of the London Paralympic Games, where he appeared with the British Paraorchestra and Coldplay, playing live to a global audience of over 500 million.

Since then, he has performed around the world, both in recital and with major orchestras, and collaborated with ABRSM to create the first-ever one-handed piano syllabus. Here, Nicholas talks about his inspirational musical story…

Who (or what) inspired you to first start performing (other artists, a particular composer, or maybe someone close to you)?
I went to see a friend of mine who was an accomplished pianist playing Beethoven’s Waldstein sonata and I had an epiphany. It’s the kind of thing you would see on Oprah Winfrey’s show, one of these life-defining moments. I’d heard my friend play before but there was something about this piece of music and how wonderfully she was playing it. I knew at that moment I was put on this earth to communicate through music, and I knew the piano was going to be the way I did that.

What have been your music career highlights so far?
I’ve been lucky to have so many incredible moments. But if I had to pick one it would be making my BBC Proms debut last year. It was something I’d longed to do and it was everything I wanted it to be. It was one of those ‘pinch me’ moments.

What advice would you give upcoming artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Don’t assume that you’re not the smartest person in the room. Trust your gut instincts and don’t think that other people necessarily know what’s best for you because sometimes they don’t. This is your career and you know what you’re capable of better than anyone else.

What do you hope the audience in Harrogate takes away from your performance?
I hope they enjoy the performance and the stories behind the music because when I give a concert, I like to tell anecdotes about left hand repertoire. And hopefully they will leave more knowledgeable about this fascinating repertoire.

Describe your programme in 3 words.
Emotional. Virtuosic. Informative.

Do you have any pre-concert rituals?
I do and I’ve only really adopted them in the last year or so and they’ve made a real difference. I do guided meditation. It’s only 20 minutes and it’s specifically designed for musicians that was recommended to me by a very well-known concert pianist and I’ve found it transformative. I do also like to have a banana before I go on stage – it’s good to have some healthy sugars!

What do you most enjoy about performing live and why is it still important in our digital age?
I love being able to communicate to an audience whether it’s 10 people or 10,000. My aim is always to make those audience members feel something. I don’t mind what it is, I just want them to feel an emotion because that’s what I’m trying to do – convey emotion through my music. I think in this digital age nothing beats a live performance, hence why concert halls still sell out and why we don’t all sit at home on our devices 24/7. The need to experience live performances is something tangible and it’s only going to increase with the advent of AI because I think we’re going to start craving that which is real. The appetite for live music where the audience really feels something is only going to grow stronger. I hope that’s the case otherwise I’ll be out of a job!

If you could collaborate with any other artist, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
I love all music, pop, jazz, all of it. But how wonderful would it be for one song to be Adele’s pianist and accompany her. That would be amazing. I love her music.

What music are you listening to at the moment?
My favourite pianist Martha Argerich performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.1 and No. 3.

Nicholas McCarthy | Piano | Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate | Sunday, March 29, 11am. Book online here or call the box office on 01423 562 303.

Applications are now open for the Jane Gregory Bursaries which offer three under-represented writers a unique opportunity to attend the Creative Thursday writing day at the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, the world’s largest and most prestigious celebration of crime fiction, taking place in Harrogate on 23-26 July 2026.

Creative Thursday is an immersive and inspiring day of workshops and talks designed to nurture new crime writing talent taking place on 23 July, the opening day of the Festival. Led by bestselling crime writers and industry experts, the programme also includes a unique chance to pitch to publishing insiders in The Dragon’s Pen, hosted by Mark Billingham.

Creative Thursday has proved pivotal in the development of many now successful crime writers, including Mari Hannah, who went on to become the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival Programming Chair in 2019, Suzy Aspley whose thriller Crow Moon was shortlisted for the 2024 McDermid Debut Award, and 2023 attendee Rebecca Philipson whose debut novel ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ is published by Transworld this spring.

The Jane Gregory Bursaries were created to support the next generation of crime writers and offer recipients a life-changing opportunity to access the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and build connections in the literary world. All three bursaries are centred around Creative Thursday and include a contribution towards travel costs, with one bursary incorporating a Weekend Break Package with accommodation and tickets to all Festival main stage events.

Applications from under-represented writers, who may lack opportunities due to disabilities, identity, health or social circumstances, are welcomed HERE. Please note applications close on 22nd March.

Literary agent Jane Gregory, who helped co-found the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival said:

“The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has a long tradition of discovering and nurturing new crime writing talent through its writing programme, awards and New Blood Panel. Our bursaries offer incredible opportunities for aspiring writers, regardless of their situation or background, to experience the magic of the Festival, sharpen their writing skills and be inspired at Creative Thursday.”

Rebecca Philipson, author of ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ and Creative Thursday attendee said: “I took part in Creative Thursday 2023 and 2024. I was still drafting ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ and the workshops were incredibly helpful. In particular, I attended a workshop on Using Psychology in Crime Fiction, which directly informed my work on DI Sam Hansen, my detective character. I attended Creative Thursday alone both years, and I was quite nervous about that, but people were friendly and I soon got chatting to fellow writers. It’s a great day – I wholeheartedly recommend Creative Thursday.”

Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, Sharon Canavar, said:

“Creative Thursday at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has been a vital stepping stone in the early careers of many crime writers who’ve gone on to be hugely successful, and we can’t wait to welcome the 2026 cohort. The Jane Gregory bursaries for under-represented aspiring writers offer a fantastic opportunity to access the programme, learn from by bestselling authors, agents and editors, and build connections with industry insiders. We look forward to reading all of the application.”

Applications should be submitted to Harrogate International Festivals by 22 March 2026. The panel will consider each applicant’s background, writing aspirations and the difference the bursary could make to their creative journey before awarding the three bursaries.

Harrogate International Festivals is a registered arts charity which aims to bring immersive cultural experiences to as many people as possible, by bringing accessible arts, literature, community and education projects to Yorkshire and beyond, with a commitment to developing opportunities for readers and writers of all backgrounds.

Who (or what) inspired you to first start performing? (other artists, a particular composer or maybe someone close to you)

My first inspiration was my parents! My mum is a piano teacher and accompanist and started me on piano when I was around five years old – and then I discovered my dad’s old trumpet (he had played in school) when I was 8 years old and rooting around in a cupboard for a new toy to play with! I thought the trumpet looked shiny and cool and could make a decent sound on the instrument and that’s where the journey began.

What have been your music career highlights so far?

Career highlights so far have been when the trumpet has taken me to unexpected new places, for example being able to travel to and perform in South Africa, Uganda, Japan, Korea and Mexico! I also just embarked on the ECHO Rising Stars tour last season, performing in some of the best concert halls in Europe: particular highlights include the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Goldener Saal in the Musikverein Wien and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

What advice would you give upcoming artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Pursue your dreams relentlessly and don’t give up! It takes an extraordinary amount of resilience, determination, courage and putting yourself out there, but anything is possible if you set your mind to it. Don’t be afraid to seek out mentors and ask people for advice – more often than not they are very happy to help. And above all, have fun with your instrument and your music. Be curious, find inspiration in the world around you and enjoy collaborating and making music with other people as much as possible!

What do you hope the audience in Harrogate takes away from your performance?

I hope we can create an intimate, relaxed atmosphere where the audience feel warm and welcomed into the space. With spoken introductions, they will learn a bit more about the music and the composers and what these pieces mean to us and I hope to take them on a journey through different eras of music and different styles and emotions.

Describe your programme in 3 words.

Elegant. Intimate. Collaborative.

Do you have any pre-concert rituals?

I try to have as few as possible as the pre-concert situation is always changing! But you can often find me pacing up and down the corridors doing some stretches and shoulder rolls to get the adrenaline flowing, and then I will stand in the superhero pose for 1-2 minutes before going onstage to focus the breathing and the mind and say some positive affirmations.

What do you most enjoy about performing live and why is it still important in our digital age?

There is no magic on earth like live classical music. The pandemic showed us how VITAL the audience is so that the two-way connection can exist between those of us onstage and the audience. Without that atmosphere and the feeling of the audience there, there is no feedback for the performers and no energy to feed off and to give back too.

If you could collaborate with any other artist, throughout time, who would it be and why?

I would loved to have collaborated with Shostakovich and commissioned him to write a proper trumpet concerto – and then have him conduct it too!

What music are you listening to at the moment?

I listen to a wide array of music of many different genres. At the moment I’m rotating between up and coming pop star Tate McRae, the traditional Irish folk band Flook (who I recently saw live in London on their 30 years tour which was amazing!) and favourite tracks from Shakatak and Tower of Power.

Harrogate International Festivals is inviting submissions for this year’s Dorothy Parkinson Memorial Award.

Established in 1982, this prestigious award provides a platform to some of the country’s best up-and-coming classical musicians and the chance to perform in the HACS Harrogate Music Festival.

Previous winners of the award include Evelyn Glennie, Ben Tarlton, Julian Bliss, Jamie Walton, Lucy Parham and Benjamin Grosvenor.

The award itself was inspired by the extraordinary life of Dorothy Parkinson, who had close ties with Harrogate International Festivals. Born in 1909, Dorothy was the third daughter of Lord and Lady Bingley and was brought up with her three sisters at Bramham Park near Wetherby. She went on to study music, which took her to Vienna where she studied with Arnold Rosé, the leader of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

After returning to North Yorkshire she became great friends with Dame Fanny Waterman, founder of the Leeds International Piano Competition, and the pair frequently performed recitals together. Harrogate International Festivals played a big part in Dorothy’s life – she was on its first board of governors following its inception in 1966 and was twice its president, in 1968 and 1978.

In 1981, the year after Dorothy’s death, her friend – the legendary mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker – sang at Leeds Civic Hall in her memory, and the following year the Dorothy Parkinson Memorial Award became an integral part of the Festivals’ programme.

Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “The Dorothy Parkinson Memorial Award has been presented to some of the finest young musicians for more than 40 years.

“This prestigious award always attracts a diverse and high calibre range of classical musicians and I’m sure this year will be no exception.”

Submissions are welcomed for both solo players and ensembles. To be eligible for the award, the musician(s) must be British and under 35 years old before August this year.

The closing date for submissions is 15 February 2026.

Harrogate International Festivals today announced the full line up of Special Guest headliners for the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, the world’s largest and most prestigious celebration of crime fiction, taking place 23-26 July 2026.

Ann Cleeves and Brenda Blethyn, Anthony Horowitz, Holly Jackson, Chris Brookmyre, Chris Whitaker, Jane Harper and LJ Ross join previously announced headliners Nadine Matheson, Gillian McAllister, Steve Cavanagh, Alice Feeney and David Baldacci on a thrilling line-up of crime writing legends and international bestsellers from the UK, Australia, Ireland and the US, curated by 2026 Festival Programming Chair, Lisa Jewell.

Now in its twenty-third year, the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival (23–26 July 2026) is the jewel in the crown of the global crime fiction community, offering readers from around the world a unique opportunity to hear from literary superstars and discover stunning new talent. Taking place at the Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate, a packed programme of fascinating panels, talks and inspiring creative workshops showcases the very best of the world’s most popular genre.

Headline events include:

• An unmissable event for Vera fans as writer Ann Cleeves and actor Brenda Blethyn, who played DCI Vera Stanhope for fourteen years, take an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the much-loved TV series, and Cleeves unveils her latest Vera Stanhope novel.
• Hugely successful author and TV writer Anthony Horowitz returns to the Festival hot on the heels of smash-hit BBC TV dramas Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders to showcase his latest novel.
• Making her Festival debut Holly Jackson, mega bestselling author of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, introduces her new unputdownable thriller, Not Quite Dead Yet.
• ‘Queen of the psychological thriller’ and 2026 Festival Chair Lisa Jewell in conversation with Lee Child, iconic creator of the Jack Reacher novels.
• Two of the most original voices in crime fiction, and previous winners of the Theakston Old Peculier Novel of the Year, Chris Whitaker and Chris Brookmyre make a welcome return to the Festival to discuss their latest novels, as Chris Brookmyre celebrates his 30^th year as a published author.
• Homegrown phenomenon LJ Ross and internationally celebrated Australian author Jane Harper, both multi-million-copy sensations, showcase their much-anticipated new novels.

Lisa Jewell, 2026 Programming Chair of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival says:

“I came to my role as this year’s Chair of programming for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival with a golden wish-list of crime writing superstars, and I can barely believe how many of them we have now confirmed as headliners. It’s a brilliant mix of new faces, perennial favourites and a surprise or two and I think readers are going to be blown away by this year’s line-up. I am so excited to be there, in the moment, sharing this programme in all its glory with our attendees; so many incredible headliners, so many fascinating conversations, so much to look forward to. Roll on Harrogate 2026!”

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is delivered by the north of England’s leading arts Festival organisation, Harrogate International Festivals, and forms part of their diverse year-round portfolio of events, which aims to bring immersive cultural experiences to as many people as possible. Harrogate International Festivals celebrates six decades of arts Festivals in 2026, marking the milestone with more headline names than ever and exciting developments, set to make it the biggest Festival yet.

Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston Ltd, said:

“It is a huge honour to support the world’s biggest and best crime writing Festival for an incredible twenty-third year. After our most successful year ever in 2025, we are delighted to welcome a bumper crop of exceptional Special Guests who include icons of the genre, chart topping authors and writers behind some of the most watched TV adaptations in recent years to our one-of-a-kind Festival this summer.”  

Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“I’m so proud of the incredible roster of Special Guest headliners curated by Lisa Jewell and the team. Readers have always been at the heart of the Festival and in the National Year of Reading, the 2026 programme is unapologetically reader-led, celebrating some of the most-read authors in the world whose books showcase the enduring appeal of crime fiction. Watch out for some more big reveals when we share the full programme in April and we hope you’ll join us at the Festival in July!”

Weekend Break Packages are on sale now. To book, please call the Festivals team on +44(0)1423 562 303 or email [email protected]. Rover tickets and individual event tickets go on sale in Spring 2026. More information about tickets and packages can be found here.

Who (or what) inspired you to first start performing? (other artists, a particular composer or maybe someone close to you)

N: My phone storage capacity allowed only 1 video in it and I had Nathan Milstein in black and white playing his own Paganiniana piece and I thought that I would never be able to play it, but instead of being intimidated that inspired me a lot to work hard and overcome my limitations.

K: My aunt had an upright piano in her home which she used to play, so whenever I’d visit her, I’d always try and play it too. This must have been my very first inspiration which was stemming from being curious and fascinated by the instrument and it’s possibilities.

What have been your music career highlights so far?

N: The creation of my festival to help kids that are from vulnerable background in Brazil.

K: One that I felt most moved by was collaboration with John Wilson and Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra when we performed Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto together. We had an amazing week together working on this masterpiece, and the fact that orchestra was made up of fellow academy students made the whole experience even more special.

Some of the other highlights that stand out in my memory are musical encounters with my mentor Gabriela Montero, as well as, having my Wigmore Hall recital debut and a few months later coming back there for YCAT finals!

What advice would you give upcoming artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?

N: You shouldn’t let anyone define your limits or your potential. Work smarter not harder and have focus but remember that time is precious and being with loved ones is essential.

K: Stay true to yourself and your art.

What do you hope the audience in Harrogate takes away from your performance?

N: I just want that wherever my voice reaches, people can connect with the message in a genuine and honest way.

K: I hope the audience will have a great time at our recital, leaving the concert hall being moved by the music and somehow elevated and inspired by it!

Describe your programme in 3 words.

N: Elegant. Passionate. I will leave it to the audience to decide the third one after the concert and let me know 🙂

K: Delicate, emotional and beautiful.

Do you have any pre-concert rituals?

N: I try to avoid having any rituals because we often need to be so flexible and anything can happen before a concert (flight delays, string break, traffic jams, etc) but I try to at least be well warmed up before walking on stage.

K: Not really, except that I like to go through the whole programme on the day either on the piano or with a score in my head.

What do you most enjoy about performing live and why is it still important in our digital age?

N: I enjoy a few things about performing live, one of them being the atmospheric energy when a group of people sit together to experience the same thing which is quite palpable and absolutely changes how I approach the music immediately. Another thing is that when on stage I shut down my external thought and it is a moment where for a few minutes I can’t think of problems, bills, emails, nothing but the music, which is actually very liberating.

K: I love the connection and atmosphere a performer can create with the audience in the moment, which can be spontaneous, inspiring and emotionally moving. As with any art form, a digital experience can never replace a real live event, and that is the true beauty of it, every performance is different!

If you could collaborate with any other artist, throughout time, who would it be and why?

N: Gustavo Dudamel. Because besides the fact that he is a fantastic musician, I come from a social project similar to El Sistema and he has always been a big inspiration in my career.

K: I’d love to collaborate on stage with my mentor Gabriela Montero, I think she’s an amazing artist and human being, and she’s also great fun!

What music are you listening to at the moment?

N: Mariah Carey “All I want for Christmas is you”  BUT NOT BY CHOICE, IT’S EVERYWHERE I GO

K: Last few songs I’ve listened were by the rock band The Strokes. I’m also listening to jazz pianist Bill Evans a lot recently.

One of the UK’s only dedicated specialist-led small animal veterinary dental practices is the latest big-name sponsor of Harrogate International Festivals.

VetDentist, based in a superbly equipped, purpose-built state of the art facility in Harrogate, has become one of the Festival’s Platinum Partners.

Bob Partridge set up veterinary practice in Harrogate in 1988, going on to establish North Yorkshire’s first veterinary hospital in 1992. He qualified as an internationally recognised expert in Veterinary Dentistry in 2011 and established VetDentist, a dedicated referral practice, in 2018. VetDentist provides specialist dental care for pets, with patients coming from across the UK for treatment.

Bob is a founder member of the British Veterinary Dental Association (BVDA) and has been a council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the British Veterinary Hospital Association (BVHA), the European Veterinary Dental College (EVDC), the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) as well as being a member of BVA, EVDF, SPVS, and VetLife.

Bob Partridge, VetDentist owner and director, said: “I’m delighted that VetDentist has become one of Harrogate International Festivals’ Platinum Partners. Harrogate is a place very close to my heart and thanks to the Festival team the town has become a byword for world-class music and literature.

“With 40 years’ experience in veterinary dentistry we have a reputation for excellence, and to be able to support great culture in our town, through the excellent Harrogate International Festivals, is a real privilege.”

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “We are thrilled that such a leading brand in its field, and one based here in Harrogate, has become our latest sponsor.

“As an arts organisation we rely hugely on sponsors not only to enable us to stage major concerts and festivals, but also to create new education programmes and cultural projects that benefit the local community, and thanks to the support of Bob and the VetDentist team this important work can continue.”

Wednesday 26 November 2025: Harrogate International Festivals today announced bestselling psychological thriller writer Lisa Jewell as Festival Programming Chair for the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, the globally renowned celebration of crime fiction which will take place from 23 to 26 July 2026.

An opening line up of stellar Headliners including global bestsellers and readers’ favourites David Baldacci, Nadine Matheson, Gillian McAllister, Steve Cavanagh and Alice Feeney has also been announced, with more headliners to be revealed in early 2026.

Lisa Jewell is the author of twenty-three novels, most recently the dark psychological thrillers Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs, None of This is True and Don’t Let Him In. She is a number one bestselling Sunday Times and New York Times author who has sold over ten million books worldwide, been published in more than thirty languages and has had numerous books optioned for film and TV. Previous Programming Chairs include Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Elly Griffiths, Denise Mina, Lee Child, Vaseem Khan, Ruth Ware and Mick Herron.

Lisa Jewell, 2026 Programming Chair of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival says:

“I have been bewitched by the concept of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival for as long as I have been writing thrillers and my first visit more than lived up to my expectations. I’ve been every year since and grown more and more familiar with the special world that is created in Harrogate every July, so to be invited to head up the programming committee for 2026 was an honour beyond my wildest imaginings. I worked in fashion retail before I became an author and was a voracious magazine reader and that is the sensibility that I have applied to the format of this year’s panels and author events, focussing on ‘real life’ issues that affect writers in their day to day to lives and thus in turn, inform the things they write about and the way in which they write about them. I’m delighted to see a stellar line up of writers coming together for 2026 and cannot wait to be there, watching all the behind-the-scenes work come to magical life for another glorious and unforgettable festival.”

The Headliner events include:

• Global crime writing icon David Baldacci – one of the world’s most-loved thriller writers – returns to the Festival for the first time in fifteen years with his highly acclaimed new series featuring undercover spy Walter Nash.
• Fan favourites and bestselling authors Nadine Matheson and Gillian McAllister introduce their gripping new high-concept thrillers and discuss how their legal backgrounds inform their fiction.
• Steve Cavanagh, bestselling Irish author and former Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Novel of the Year winner, discusses Two Kinds of Stranger, the latest in the Eddie Flynn series, featuring a conman-turned-trial lawyer.
• Multi-million copy bestselling author Alice Feeney showcases My Husband’s Wife, her nerve-shredding new psychological thriller that will make readers question all they know about love, identity and revenge.

Now in its twenty-third year, the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival (23–26 July 2026) is the jewel in the crown of the global crime fiction community, offering readers from around the world a unique opportunity to meet literary superstars and discover exciting new talent. The prestigious Festival offers a packed programme of thrilling panels, talks and inspiring creative workshops, with a special event celebrating the legacy of Agatha Christie, who stayed at the Old Swan Hotel, now the Festival venue, 100 years ago when she mysteriously disappeared.

Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston Ltd, said:

“It is a privilege to support the world’s best crime writing Festival for an incredible twenty-third year, and I’m thrilled that Lisa Jewell is taking on the role of 2026 Festival Programming Chair. After our most successful event ever in 2025, I can’t wait to be back in Harrogate next summer celebrating the world’s best loved genre once again.”

Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“Crime fiction fans around the world love Lisa Jewell’s spine-tingling contemporary thrillers, so we are delighted that she has agreed to be Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s 2026 Programming Chair as it promises to be a landmark year as Harrogate International Festivals celebrates six decades of arts Festivals. With her focus on topical real-life issues and character driven fiction, Lisa brings a unique sensibility to her programming, and we’re excited to reveal five of the exceptional Special Guests headliners she has selected – with more to be announced in January.”

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is delivered by the north of England’s leading arts Festival organisation, Harrogate International Festivals and forms part of their diverse year-round portfolio of events, which aims to bring immersive cultural experiences to as many people as possible.

Weekend Break Packages are on sale now. To book, please call the Festivals team on 01423 562 303 or email [email protected]. Rover tickets and individual event tickets go on sale in Spring 2026.