George Town Literary Festival

George Town Literary Festival 2026 (GTLF 2026), the 16th edition of Penang's annual literary arts festival, is back in Georgetown from 27 - 29 November 2026. Held under the theme, COSMOPOLIS, this edition explores identity in cities shaped by different languages, cultures, faiths, migration and shared experiences. It reflects on how people, ideas and traditions continually influence one another through contact, adaptation and exchange. Through literature, translation, history and food culture, the festival explores how people from different backgrounds build shared communities.

George Town Literary Festival 2025 (GTLF 2025), Penang's premier annual celebration of literary arts, returns from 28 - 30 November 2025. Held under the theme URBAN MYTHS & MEMORIES, this year’s festival will unfold across multiple venues within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town. Over three days, the programme will showcase book launches, exhibitions, panel discussions, performances, and film screenings, featuring 37 writers and artists from 13 countries.

George Town Literary Festival 2022 (GTLF 2022), the annual event to celebrate literary arts in Malaysia, is back this year from 24 - 27 November 2022. To be held in the UNESCO World Heritage site of George Town, a series of activities from book launches, workshops, panel discussions, lectures to film screenings have been fully packed into the 4-day event.