Category: NEWS

Introducing Kota Harrogate: A New Summer Social Space Hidden in Harrogate

Something new is arriving in Harrogate this summer.

Tucked away within the grounds of Cedar Court Harrogate, Kota Harrogate is a brand-new seasonal social space designed for relaxed evenings, shared experiences and memorable nights that feel a little different from the usual.

Inspired by a traditional Finnish shelter where people gather together, Kota takes its name from Nordic culture and the idea of warmth, connection and community. Reimagined with a Yorkshire spirit, it has been created as a hidden gem for summer socials, live music, food-led evenings and laid-back celebrations.

Launching for a limited season across the Summer, Kota will host a curated calendar of events designed around gathering, sharing and enjoying good company. Guests can expect everything from Tapas & Cava nights and Mediterranean Mezze evenings to Bottomless Brunch, Pizza & Prosecco socials and live acoustic music throughout the summer.

The space itself combines atmospheric lighting, relaxed seating and a warm, welcoming feel that makes it just as suited to date nights and catch-ups with friends as it is to special occasions and summer celebrations.

Later in the season, the calendar expands further with Comedy Nights, Stateside Social evenings and Yorkshire-inspired Tapas events during Great Yorkshire Show week, bringing together local flavour and summer atmosphere in one of Harrogate’s newest event destinations.

Designed as a limited-time concept before closing again for autumn and winter, Kota is all about discovering something special while it lasts, a relaxed summer space made for gathering, unwinding and enjoying Harrogate a little differently.

Bookings are now open, with limited spaces available across all events.

Harrogate International Festivals today announced the 18 titles longlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award 2026, the UK and Ireland’s most prestigious crime fiction award, now in its twenty second year.

The longlist, voted for by an academy of journalists, reviewers, booksellers, bloggers, podcasters and industry representatives, showcases stories that transport readers from gangland Yorkshire to a haunted Dartmoor country house, from wartime Glasgow to a remote Scottish island, and features a host of remarkable sleuths – from the world’s first AI detective, to a time-travelling cold case investigator.

The Longlist includes:

• Six talented authors are longlisted for the first time, including bestselling authors A.A. Dhand and Alice Feeney, who both have smash hit TV adaptations to their names.
• 5 former winners – 2024 champion Jo Callaghan, Mick Herron, Denise Mina, Belinda Bauer – and two times winner Mark Billingham – feature on the longlist. Belinda Bauer and Jo Callaghan are both alumni of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s celebrated ‘New Blood’ initiative championing emerging talent.
• The longlist features writers from across the UK, including Bradford, Manchester, Birmingham, Sussex, Cardiff and Oxfordshire, with four Scottish authors, Tariq Ashkanani, Callum McSorley, Denise Mina and Alan Parks
• Celebrating innovative and entertaining storytelling, the 2026 longlist showcases a thrilling range of crime fiction subgenres, from gritty gangland thrillers and locked room mysteries to enthralling court room dramas, dark domestic noir and atmospheric historical murder mysteries.

The full Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2026 longlist (in alphabetical order by surname) is: 

• What Happens in the Dark by Kia Abdullah (HarperCollins, HQ Fiction) 

• The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani (Profile Books, Viper) 

• The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer (Penguin Random House, Bantam)

• What The Night Brings by Mark Billingham (Little, Brown Book Group, Sphere)

• Human Remains by Jo Callaghan (Simon & Schuster)

• The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (HarperCollins, Hemlock Press) 

• The Chemist by A.A. Dhand (HarperCollins, HQ Fiction) 

• Beautiful Uglyby Alice Feeney (Pan Macmillan, Pan Fiction)

• The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths (Quercus Books)

• The Examiner by Janice Hallett (Profile Books, Viper)

• The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins (Penguin Random House, Doubleday)

• Clown Town by Mick Herron (John Murray Books, Baskerville)

• Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Khan (Bonnier Books, Zaffre) 

• Paperboy by Callum McSorley (Puskin Press, Vertigo)

• The Good Liar by Denise Mina (Penguin Random House, Harvill)

• Gunner by Alan Parks (John Murray Books, Baskerville)

• We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough (Orion Publishing Group, Orion Fiction) 

• A Schooling in Murder by Andrew Taylor (HarperCollins, Hemlock Press) 

Crime fiction fans are now invited to help whittle 18 down to 6 by voting for their favourite novels to reach the shortlist, with the winner of the coveted Award announced on the opening night of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival on Thursday 23^rd July.

The longlist in more detail:

Five former winners are vying for top honours at this year’s Awards, including 2024 champion Jo Callaghan, who is longlisted for Human Remains, the third in her highly original series featuring detective duo DCS Kat Frank and her AI colleague Lock, alongside Belinda Bauer for The Impossible Thing, a historical mystery set in the world of rare egg trafficking. Both Jo Callaghan and Belinda Bauer are alumni of the Festival’s acclaimed ‘New Blood’ initiative supporting outstanding new voices. Also nominated are Denise Mina’s The Good Liar, a taut conspiracy thriller where a blood spatter expert is caught in a deadly dilemma about whether to reveal a miscarriage of justice, and Mark Billingham’s What the Night Brings, a pulsating Tom Thorne thriller where a series of targeted murders against police officers lead to an investigation into betrayal and vengeance. They are joined by Mick Herron who is longlisted for Clown Town, the latest instalment in the bestselling Slough House series, which sees a gang of washed-up spooks entangled in a dangerous game of blackmail with its roots in the Irish Troubles. Highly commended in 2023, Elly Griffiths receives an impressive eleventh longlisting for The Frozen People, the first in a new series with a time-travelling spin, as an unsolved mystery takes a cold cases investigator back to the freezing London of 1850.

Among the six hugely talented writers longlisted for the first time are Tariq Ashkanani, nominated for The Midnight King¸ a breathtaking thriller exploring the dark legacy of a serial killing author after his death, and Kia Abdullah for What Happens in the Dark, a courtroom drama about nightmare neighbours and how far ordinary people will go to defend loved ones. Also longlisted are We Live here Now by Sarah Pinborough, a twisty, genre-bending take on the haunted house mystery, set on Dartmoor, and Paperboy by Callum McSorley, an inventive, fast-paced and blackly comic slice of Glasgow Noir. They are up against A.A. Dhand’s gangland thriller, The Chemist where a community pharmacist finds himself in the middle of a turf war between two powerful Yorkshire drug cartels, and Alice Feeney’s Beautiful Ugly, a magnetic thriller about marriage and revenge set on a remote Scottish island.

This year’s longlist showcases an extraordinary range of crime fiction subgenres. Vaseem Khan’s Quantum of Menace, a witty James Bond spin-off where a reimagined Q investigates the suspicious death of a scientist friend after losing his job at MI6, is nominated alongside Paula Hawkins’ atmospheric ‘locked room’ style mystery set on a tidal Scottish island, The Blue Hour. Joining them on the longlist are Abigail Dean’s psychological thriller The Death of Us, exploring trauma, grief and survival though the impact of a horrendous crime on one couple’s relationship, and Janice Hallet’s The Examiner, an intricate mystery set in an art college, where a student is killed and suspicion falls on their dysfunctional classmates.

Completing the 2026 line-up are two historical thrillers set in the Second World War. Gunner by Alan Parks sees a wounded former detective drawn into the case of a mutilated German found in Glasgow’s bomb wreckage, and A Schooling in Murder by Andrew Taylor, set in a boarding school haunted by the ghost of a dead teacher whose replacement attempts to unmask the killer.

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

“We are delighted to announce the 2026 longlist for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. It’s a pleasure to sponsor this Award and champion such an array of talented crime writers – from established global bestsellers and household names, to rising stars who are all set to become the superstar writers of tomorrow. We’re very much looking forward to finding out who the public vote for to reach the shortlist this year.”

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

“Congratulations to all the hugely talented writers longlisted for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. We’re excited to see such a compelling and inclusive longlist for this year’s Award. Readers are vitally important to the Award as they help to determine the outcome, and in this National Year of Reading we encourage everyone to go all in and vote for their favourite novel to reach the shortlist.”

The Award is presented by Harrogate International Festivals and sponsored by T&R Theakston Ltd, in partnership with Waterstones and Daily Express, and is open to full-length crime novels published in paperback between 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026. The public are invited to vote to help create a shortlist of six titles from 8am on Thursday 30 April at www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com

Voting closes on Thursday 28 May at 23:59, with the shortlist announced on Thursday 18 June. Once the shortlist is announced, readers will have the chance to vote again to help determine the winner. The winner will be revealed on the opening night of Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Thursday 23 July, at a special awards ceremony hosted by Steph McGovern. They will receive £3,000 and a handmade, engraved beer barrel provided by T&R Theakston Ltd.

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 info@harrogate-festival.org.uk. 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.