Aspen Literary Festival Unveils 2nd Annual Lineup

Diverse array of acclaimed authors to headline three-day event in Colorado mountain town.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:04am

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of an open book on a wooden table, with blurred figures in the background, all captured in a warm, hazy glow of soft light and color.The Aspen Literary Festival's intimate, welcoming atmosphere will once again draw book lovers to the Colorado mountain town.Aspen Today

The Aspen Literary Festival, produced by the Aspen Institute's literary center Aspen Words, has announced the lineup for its second annual event taking place September 25-27. The festival will feature 17 renowned authors across a range of genres, offering both new and familiar voices to the Aspen community.

Why it matters

The Aspen Literary Festival has quickly become a premier destination for book lovers, writers, and literary enthusiasts. By bringing together acclaimed authors from diverse backgrounds, the festival aims to foster intellectual discourse, inspire creativity, and celebrate the power of the written word in the picturesque setting of Aspen, Colorado.

The details

The 17 confirmed authors for the 2nd Aspen Literary Festival include bestselling novelists, acclaimed poets, celebrated essayists, and rising literary stars. The lineup features a mix of returning festival participants as well as newcomers, ensuring the event offers both familiar favorites and fresh perspectives for attendees.

  • The Aspen Literary Festival will take place September 25-27, 2026.
  • This marks the second year the festival has been held.

The players

Aspen Words

A literary center and program of the Aspen Institute that produces the Aspen Literary Festival.

Aspen Institute

A nonpartisan educational and policy studies organization based in Aspen, Colorado.

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The takeaway

The Aspen Literary Festival continues to cement its reputation as a must-attend event for readers, writers, and literary enthusiasts, offering a diverse array of acclaimed authors and providing a platform for intellectual discourse and creative inspiration in the picturesque setting of Aspen, Colorado.