Here's what to expect at Emirates Literature Festival 2025
Authors, book launches, experiences, workshops…
Readers, bibliophiles, bookworms, avid readers – no matter what you’re called, if you love books, take note: The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is returning in 2025, and you don’t have to wait too long as it begins on January 29, 2025.
Abraham Verghese, author of The Covenant of Water
Jeff Kinney, author and illustrator of the wildly popular-Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, creator of popular A Series of Unfortunate Events
Megan Hess, author of over 22 best-sellers including Claris the Chicest Mouse in Paris
Emirates Literature Festival sessions
Emirates Literature Festival book signings
Litfest family program
Emirati spotlight
Litfest after hours
Known more commonly among fans here in UAE as Emirates Literature Festival 2025, the 17th edition of the literary festival is set to take place for six days until February 3, 2025. For those curious, yes, it is returning to its home at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City (albeit, with a renovated look).
The authors
Every year, the Emirates Literature Festival draws in some of the world’s best-selling authors, and this year is no different.
One of the top names includes Abraham Verghese, author of The Covenant of Water, Cutting for Stone, and The Tennis Partner.
On the lineup are also Nobel Prize laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah, Emmy Award-winning journalist Hala Gorani, and Jeff Kinney, the author and illustrator of the wildly popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
The creator of popular A Series of Unfortunate Events, Daniel Handler (also known as Lemony Snicket), will also be at the event.
If that list has already drawn out the squeals of joy, we’ve only just scratched the surface. Other popular names include Booker Prize-nominated author Chigozie Obioma, best-selling travel writer and author Dr Mohamed Kandeel, scholar and researcher Abdel Illah Benarafa, Cultural Personality of the Year Waciny Laredj, poet and author Khalid Albudoor, and celebrated Palestinian chef and hotelier Fadi Kattan.
Returning and new events
These popular events are returning to the Emirates Literature Festival, and for a good reason. The LitFest crowd loves them, which means you can’t miss out.
The signature event that kicks off the literary festival is the awesome Desert Stanzas. Taking place at Caravanserai, your night under the stars will see you mingling with international and local authors and poets as you celebrate the written word.
Across the city from Dubai Festival City at the Theatre of Digital Art, you can enjoy a Qanoon and Poetry Night with a star-studded line-up of poets and performers. And for foodies, All That Glitters will see a mystery unfold with each course.
For more after dark literary fun, LitFest After Hours presents a lineup of local and international talent.
And for families, over the weekend LitFest Families will bring a slew of entertainment for young readers, backed with top authors and illustrators. You will meet Darryl Gadzekpo and Ella Phillips, who will share how to grow ingredients without a garden and turn them into tasty meals, while Ross Welford sparks imaginations through a time-travel adventure.
For students, education is a key focus, and this edition will feature special in-person student sessions, along with school visits from celebrated authors.
*The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale returns to Dubai this November*
Conversations, panels and workshops
Emirates LitFest stage: On the LitFest stage, Emirati and international authors will come together to celebrate the cultures of the UAE. From the UAE, expect to see writers include poet Adel Khozam, academic Dr Noura Alkarbi, artist and designer Asmaa Al Remithi, poet and publisher Ali Al Shaali, and many more.
For more dialogues, you have to catch Graeme Wilson, a Dubai-based author, on his book To Be the First, an authorised biography of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. (PS. You can pre-order your book via booksarabia.com for Dhs125.)
Abraham Verghese will explore the layers of his best seller, and two-time Booker Prize nominee Chigozie Obioma discusses his latest masterpiece, The Road to the Country.
For fashionistas, Megan Hess showcases the influence of colour on our lives, and Emma Dabiri will help you rediscover ‘beauty’ on your own terms.
Future writers: If you’re a published author or just starting out, the festival offers events for every stage of your writing journey. There’s an immersive two-day bootcamp with ex-publisher, author, and acclaimed writing instructor Harriet Griffey, and you will learn how to craft your characters in a workshop with bestselling writer Clare Mackintosh.
Oh, and of course, you best start making space in your book display because you will be able to pick up a number of books at a discounted rate at the festival.
The full program and early bird tickets can be found on emirateslitfest.com. Get in early and save 15 per cent off prices off the whole festival (excluding events and workshops). The discount runs from Thursday, November 14 to December 13, 2024.
Bil Arabi is a multi-pass day pass that will give you access to the regular Arabic sessions. All yours for Dhs100.
Emirates Literature Festival 2025, InterContinental Dubai Festival City and other locations in Dubai, Jan 29 to Feb 3, 2025. @EmiratesLitFest
Images: Social and supplied
