Festival Programme

It’s the hottest listing in town… until someone dies. Four rival agents, one glamorous penthouse, and plenty of scandal. It's up to you to figure out "whodunnit" before dessert!

Five poets present their verses in a live dialogue with the melodies of the East, opening doors to the past, modernity, philosophy, and love. Featuring Ali Al Mazmi, Aloush Alsuwait, Dr Hanin Omar, Hassan Alnajjar, Nasser Akram and Maryam AlZarooni, joined by qanun player Farah Younes.

Join us for an inclusive 2.5km walk, jog or run around the Creek as part of Emirates LitFest. Delivered in partnership with Paralympian and author Jessica Smith and Dubai-grown heroes Team Angel Wolf.

Kick off your morning with breakfast at The Poet's Table, an interactive roundtable led by celebrated poet Marjorie Lotfi. Explore dynamic works from this year's Festival poets and be inspired to craft your own verses.

Join writer-illustrator Sharon King-Chai for Hello Sun, an interactive sensory play session for children under four, full of colour, sound, and imaginative fun for little ones and their families.

Join bestselling author Ruth Ware for a masterclass in the art of setting.

Take part in this unique workshop with UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage inspired by L’ÉCOLE’s exhibition ‘Poetry of Birds.

Join a delightful workshop with author Dr Shahla Ujayli to learn how to write reviews that balance personal taste with critical insight, and transform your passion for reading into words that inspire others!

Zuzu (the mischievous shoelace) accompanies Shereen Sabanegh and the children on a fun adventure, where Zuzu learns that change can be confusing at first, but it opens doors to new colors and unforgettable opportunities for fun and discovery.

Join bestselling genre-defining author Freya North as she looks back at her celebrated career in fiction and the threads of nostalgia woven through her latest novel, The Unfinished Business of Eadie Browne.

Join Paralympian Jessica Smith and Tia Watson of Team AngelWolf for a session on inclusive storytelling, showing how books can reflect real lives, spotlight underrepresented characters, and create heroes beyond labels.

Dr Rafia Ghubash joins Maryam Lootah in a session on the journey of education in the UAE, centered around the book The UAE Encyclopedia of Education. The book explores how this legacy helps us understand the present, study the past, and prepare for the future.

Join MC Grammar — the rapping teacher turned internet sensation — for a high-energy, rhyme-packed session that turns English into an unforgettable lyrical adventure.

Join Emirati author Ebtisam Al-Beiti for Fly, Red, Fly! - a fun, interactive reading and puppet show following a little dragon’s uplifting adventure of courage, confidence, and soaring dreams.

A deep intellectual exploration by HE Dr Ali Bin Tamim in his new book Eyes of Wonders, which awakens Al-Mutanabbi from his slumber and reveals his genius as the true inventor of Arabic poetic and philosophical wonder.

Join bestselling historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes as she uncovers the secrets of the seven greatest monuments of the ancient world. ​

​Bringing his bestselling book Order Out of Chaos to Dubai, hostage negotiator Scott Walker’s session promises to reveal the techniques that defuse danger, build trust, and turn the tide in high-stakes negotiations. ​

Join Ali Sparkes for a fast-paced and interactive adventure. Dante, a city kid with ADHD and dyslexia, uncovers hidden treasures in a grand English mansion.

Join poet and performer Simon Mole for a fun, interactive session inspired by A First Book of Bugs and A First Book of Dinosaurs​​, where young readers explore poetry, play, and the wonders of the natural world.

Join Carlos Andrés Gómez for a creative writing workshop. Explore storytelling, channel emotion and experience onto the page, and develop your voice and imagination in a session open to writers of all levels.