The third Ealing Book Festival attracted more than 1,500 people to Ealing’s University of West London campus in Ealing, with bestselling authors, politicians and local writers taking part in a packed programme of events.
UWL hosted 11 events during the festival, including talks, book signings and free sessions for local primary school children aimed at encouraging reading and creativity.
The festival opened with a poetry afternoon (23 April 2026) featuring children from five schools across the borough performing their own work to audiences of pupils and guests.
Among the headline speakers were Jung Chang, discussing her latest book “Fly, Wild Swans”, and Anthony Horowitz, who spoke about storytelling and his new novel “A Deadly Episode”.
Other guests included writer Robert Macfarlane, Labour MP Naz Shah, broadcaster Mel Giedroyc and retail expert Mary Portas.
The programme concluded with a showcase celebrating 20 local authors.
Davina Omar, Director of Library Services at UWL, said: “It was an incredible celebration of storytelling, creativity, and community.”
