George Town Literary Festival 2026

The 16th George Town Literary Festival, themed Cosmopolises, is organised by Penang Institute. It brings more than 50 writers, poets and thinkers from about 20 countries and territories for panels, readings, book launches, workshops and performances. The opening ceremony, Letters of the Penang Diaspora, has readings of letters Penangites wrote from abroad. Student films and essays from local schools are shown in Languages I Live In, and the Penang Monthly Short Story Prize 2026 winner is announced during the festival.

Most programmes are free and the organiser asks you to register for a free Festival Pass at https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/7094-george-town-literary-festival-2026. Session times are not published on the festival site yet, so the 9:00 start shown is a placeholder: check the programme before you go.

Checked on the festival site and The Star (5 Oct 2026).