The Boswell Book Festival Returns on 8-10 May, 2026

The festival programme will be launched, and tickets go on sale on 19th March 2026

The clock is ticking for the great reveal of this year’s festival programme. While we must remain tight-lipped for now, we can guarantee you will love our collection of scintillating life stories, past and present, as told by our cast of stars of the screen, stage, and state. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop with the latest programme updates.

You can beat the rush to all our sell-out events by becoming a Friend of the Festival. As well as giving us vital funding support, your donation grants you first access to the programme, and priority booking from March 16th, helping you to secure seats at events you want before public sale.

We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be an inspiring and fun packed literary weekend this May.

About the Boswell Book Festival

The world’s only festival of biography and memoir, set in the spectacular grounds of Dumfries House, draws an enthusiastic audience attracted by its unique theme.

Inspired by the great Ayrshire biographer James Boswell of Auchinleck, at the heart of the Festival is a programme of stories taken from the inspirational lives of people past and present - told through talks, drama, art and music.

Find out more and view highlights

Boswell Children's Festival

Run alongside our main programme, the hugely popular Boswell Children’s Festival offers a lively weekend of family friendly events and activities.

Led by well-loved storytellers and illustrators, it is guaranteed to appeal to young readers of all ages.

Find out more and view highlights

Our Unique Festival Location

The Boswell Book Festival is set in and around the glorious Dumfries House in East Ayrshire.

One of Scotland's most beautiful historic houses, it lies within a spectacular setting of 2,000 acres of woodlands, river walks, and explorable parklands and gardens.

Find out more about our unique location

If you wish to support the festival going forwards, please use the donate button.

Make a donation

We are indebted to all who have supported the Boswell Book Festival since 2011 in so many different ways. It is only with the help of so many loyal supporters that the Festival has achieved recognition as a cultural event of national importance.