George Town hosts literary festival from 27 to 29 November

George Town hosts the George Town Literary Festival from 27 to 29 November 2026, bringing writers, poets and thinkers to two heritage buildings in the Malaysian city. The 16th edition is organised by Penang Institute under the theme Cosmopolises.

George Town Literary Festival brings three days of events

The festival takes place at Bangunan UAB and Wisma Yeap Chor Ee on Gat Lebuh China. The programme includes conversations, readings, book launches, workshops and performances examining literature, translation, history, foodways and the shared worlds created by cities.

Penang Institute is the organiser, while the two venues provide a direct link between the programme and George Town’s built setting. The festival listing for 27 to 29 November identifies the dates, programme and address. The organiser’s programme announcement places the festival in the same two buildings and describes Cosmopolises as its 2026 theme.

George Town’s heritage gives the festival its setting

The festival is held within the historic city that was jointly inscribed with Melaka as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 7 July 2008. George Town represents the later British period in the history of the Straits of Malacca, while its living heritage also reflects Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences.

George Town World Heritage Incorporated records a 109.38-hectare core zone and a 150.04-hectare buffer zone. Together they contain 5,013 buildings, including shophouses and places of worship, with 37 religious buildings in the core and buffer areas. That urban fabric gives the literary programme a specific context: discussions about language, translation and shared cities take place in a town shaped by several cultural traditions. The heritage site profile records the inscription and the dimensions of the protected areas.

Cosmopolises links literature with a living city

The 2026 programme treats the city as more than a backdrop. Its stated subjects include literature, translation, history and foodways, while the venues stand inside the World Heritage area where long-established communities, traditional trades and religious buildings remain part of everyday life.

The organiser’s announcement says the festival is hosted across Wisma Yeap Chor Ee and Bangunan U.A.B., in collaboration with Digital Penang and Think City. The organiser’s 2026 programme announcement also confirms the dates and the participating venues.

Visiting George Town: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The George Town Literary Festival runs from 27 to 29 November 2026 at Bangunan UAB and Wisma Yeap Chor Ee on Gat Lebuh China.
• The event’s listed programme includes conversations, readings, book launches, workshops and performances, so visitors should check the session details before choosing an activity.
• George Town is on Penang Island in Malaysia, and the festival venues are within the city’s UNESCO World Heritage setting.
• The protected area includes shophouses, religious buildings and active traditional trades, making the festival’s heritage-zone setting part of the visit.

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Frequently asked questions about George Town

When does the George Town Literary Festival take place?

The festival takes place from 27 to 29 November 2026 at Bangunan UAB and Wisma Yeap Chor Ee.

What is George Town known for?

Its historic city centre forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2008, with multicultural buildings, traditions and communities.

Where is George Town and how do you get there?

George Town is on Penang Island in Malaysia. The festival venues are on Gat Lebuh China within the city’s heritage area.