Name: Bamberger Literaturfestival (BamLit) 2026
Start: 2026-01-15T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-04-27T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Verschiedene Spielorte in Bamberg und Umgebung

BamLit

About BamLit

The Bamberger Literaturfestival – BamLit for short – is the largest literary festival in Upper Franconia. Between January and April, around 85 events transform the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg into a hotspot of the German-speaking literary scene. Well-known authors such as Andrea Sawatzki, Wladimir Kaminer, Eckart von Hirschhausen, and Mechtild Borrmann will be reading in the concert hall, bookstores, and historic venues. The 2026 edition marks the 11th festival year and will open on January 15th with the philosopher Julian Nida-Rümelin.

Dates 15 Jan — 27 Apr 2026

Venue Bamberg (09461)

Prices Since 10.00€

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

BamLit — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 11th edition of the Bamberger Literaturfestival (BamLit) runs from January 15 to April 27, 2026. It opens with a reading by philosopher Julian Nida-Rümelin. The program features around 85 events, including 40 readings for adults and 45 for children and young people. Guests include Andrea Sawatzki, Wladimir Kaminer, Eckart von Hirschhausen, Mechtild Borrmann, Joschka Fischer, Margit Auer, and Paul Maar.

The 11th edition of BamLit spans over three months. The festival opens on January 15, 2026, with philosopher Julian Nida-Rümelin. Until April 27, around 85 events will follow.

Highlights include readings with Andrea Sawatzki, Wladimir Kaminer, Eckart von Hirschhausen, Mechtild Borrmann, Joschka Fischer, Margit Auer, Paul Maar, Julia Engelmann, Thorsten Havener, Max Goldt, Bodo Kirchhoff, and Mariele Millowitsch. Venues include the Konzerthalle, bookstores, schools, and other event spaces in the city and district of Bamberg.

Highlights BamLit 2026

11th festival year since 2016
Opening with Julian Nida-Rümelin on January 15
85 events over three months
Star guests: Sawatzki, Kaminer, Hirschhausen, Borrmann, Fischer
Large children's and youth section with Margit Auer and Paul Maar
Venues in Bamberg's UNESCO World Heritage site

Programme BamLit 2026

Program January 15 – April 27, 2026

January 15, 2026: Opening with Julian Nida-Rümelin
January–April: approx. 40 readings for adults with authors such as Sawatzki, Kaminer, Hirschhausen, Borrmann, Fischer
January–April: approx. 45 children's and youth events with Margit Auer, Paul Maar, and others
Crime, poetry, and non-fiction readings throughout the festival duration
April 27, 2026: Closing event

Prices BamLit 2026

Single tickets from approx. €10–15, premium readings cost more accordingly. Tickets available via bamberger-literaturfestival.de and local ticket outlets. Several events are already sold out.

Practical information

Practical information — BamLit

Getting There

Bamberg is easily accessible by ICE and regional trains from Nuremberg, Munich, and Berlin. Bamberg Central Station, from there walking distance or by bus to the World Heritage Centre. By car via A70 and A73.

Tickets

Tickets start at approx. €10–15 (readings), with premium readings featuring well-known names costing accordingly more. Available online via the festival ticket portal or at the venue.

Tips

Several readings tend to sell out quickly – book early. Festival passes and combo ticket options are offered.

Bamberg's Grand Reading Festival

The Bamberger Literaturfestival (BamLit) was launched in 2016 and is now one of the largest literary festivals in Bavaria. For three months – from January to the end of April – around 85 events take place throughout the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg and its surrounding district in Upper Franconia.

Opening with Julian Nida-Rümelin

The 11th edition will open on January 15, 2026, with a reading by philosopher Julian Nida-Rümelin. Until April 27, 2026, approximately 40 readings for adults and 45 children's and youth events will follow.

Star Guests of the Scene

The program includes well-known names from fiction, non-fiction, and children's and young adult literature: Andrea Sawatzki, Wladimir Kaminer, Eckart von Hirschhausen, Mechtild Borrmann, Margit Auer ('The School of Magical Animals'), Paul Maar (Sams), Julia Engelmann, and former Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer. Crime fiction, poetry, and political books also have their place.

World Heritage City as a Stage

BamLit utilizes Bamberg's unique ambiance: readings are held in historic venues such as the Konzerthalle, in bookstores, schools, and the city library. The combination of literature and World Heritage makes the festival attractive to travelers as well.

Promoting Reading for Children

With almost half of all events dedicated to children and young people, BamLit focuses on promoting reading. School classes from the city and district attend author readings; many of these events are not public but tailored for schools.