The most engaging conversations, most captivating books and very best names in women’s writing, all in an exquisite London location – the ultimate day festival for readers and writers alike is back for 2026!

Join the Women’s Prize Trust in Bedford Square Gardens on June 10 2026 for Women’s Prize LIVE. We’ll be hosting a day of lively in-conversation events with your favourite authors, introducing dazzling new talent, and offering a selection of inspiring workshops and 1-2-1-s from writers and industry insiders. As evening falls, listen to exclusive readings of the 12 books shortlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction and Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.

We’re delighted to announce that Candice Carty-Williams, Thangam Debbonaire, Julia Gillard, Vick Hope, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Meena Kandasamy, Elle McNicoll, Anita Rani and Kathryn Stockett will be joining us in the gardens for 2026 – discover the programme here and start planning your perfect day with our Day Planner. 

Tickets are £95 for General Admission and £70 for Concessions. Please see the FAQ on our website for eligibility details for Concession tickets.

Ticket holders can now add workshops and 1-2-1s to their booking. Explore what’s on offer here. The Jikoni Picnic Hampers are also back for 2026, to provide you with delicious picnic hampers that you can enjoy as you relax in between events.

Please consider adding a donation to your ticket. This will help us, the Women’s Prize Trust, to build a better future through championing women’s writing. The Women’s Prize Trust is a registered charity (1181253).

What’s in your Day Pass?

• Access to the beautiful gated gardens in Bloomsbury, steeped in London’s literary past, from 12pm–9pm

• Entry to the main programme of Women’s Prize LIVE events across the day, including the hotly-anticipated 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction and Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction Shortlist Readings

• A packed goody bag to take home filled with bookish treats

• Meet the speakers at the pop-up bookshop and signing station

•  The opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow booklovers and writers

•  Access to the Women’s Prize gift shop and pop-up bars with delicious food and drink

Check out our FAQs for any questions you might have.

Could there be a better way for a book lover to spend a summer’s afternoon?…

20 free places are available for this event for women on low-income, whose financial situation prohibits them from attending the event, resident in England or Wales, prioritising those from marginalised backgrounds (writers of colour, disabled writers, LGBTQ+ writers and other under-represented groups).

To apply, please fill out this form by Thursday 28 May 2026. We will reply to you the week commencing 1 June.

If you are not sure what ‘low-income’ means, the Citizens Advice Bureau has some useful guidelines here, and there are some helpful calculations here to show how these margins are measured by the Government across the country. If you are a full-time student or pensioner, or in receipt of any kind of Universal Credit, you are eligible to apply. You may also submit HMRC self-assessment paperwork to show you are low-earning if you are self-employed and not in receipt of income support.