Hong Kong International Literary Festival

Have your nose in a book with the latest edition of the Hong Kong International Literary Festival (HKILF). There will be more than 100 international and local writers and artists featured as part of this mega storytelling event spanning the entire city.

What happens?

The Hong Kong International Literary Festival is an annual gathering of writers, readers, and creative minds from around the world. Featuring talks, workshops, book launches, and panel discussions, the festival highlights diverse voices across genres and themes. From poetry to memoir, fiction to non-fiction, this is a must-attend for literature lovers and curious minds alike.

The Young Readers Festival, designed to encourage an interest in reading among the youth, runs alongside the main event.

Schedule 2026

This year marks the 25th anniversary since the first festival, so you can expect a jam packed-programme of talks, panels and workshops with both international and local literary voices.

Here’s a selection of the authors and talks:

• Hernán Diaz: Pulitzer Prize‑winning author of Trust explores themes of money, power, and intimacy (March 7, 3.45 p.m.).
• Amitav Ghosh: Presenting insights from his forthcoming work Ghost‑Eye (March 5, 7 p.m.).
• Hu Anyan: Sharing his memoir I Deliver Parcels in Beijing, a vivid portrait of modern working life in China (March 4, 7 p.m.).

There are also panels and special events:

• Fame, Fiction, and the Age of Online Judgment: Panel on celebrity and cancel culture (March 7, 3 p.m.)
• Guided Street Art Tour: Explore Central and Sheung Wan with author‑photographer Alexandra Unrein (March 7, 10 a.m.)

Tickets

Tickets vary in price for each event. There are some free talks, but most start from around HK$188.00.

Please check the official ticketing website for more details.