Summer WoW Event
29 & 30 August, 2026
WoW Gstaad 2026 – Tickets Now Available!
August 29–30, 2026 | Gstaad, Switzerland
Join us for the fourth edition of WoW Gstaad, the international literature festival set in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Over two unforgettable days, readers and writers from around the world come together for inspiring author talks, powerful conversations, creative workshops, and memorable moments shared over gourmet lunches and scenic walks.
Whether you're a lifelong book lover or simply curious to hear great stories, WoW Gstaad is a place to connect, reflect, and celebrate the power of words.
Tickets are now available and for a limited time, enjoy 20% off all talk tickets until 30 April 2026!
Explore the full programme and secure your place today.
Programme
Saturday, August 29
10:30 – 11:30 - Coming Soon
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11:30 – 12:30 - Coming Soon
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13:00 – 15:00 - Literary Lunch (for eligible ticket holders)
Optional Riverside Walk at 15:00
16:00 – 17:00 - Apero and Book Signings at Librairie des Alpages (Saanen)
17:30 – 17:45 - Coming Soon
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18:00 – 19:00 - Coming Soon
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Sunday, August 30
10:30 – 11:30 - Coming Soon
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11:30 – 12:30 - Coming Soon
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13:00 - 15.00 - Farewell Lunch & Closing Remarks (for eligible ticket holders)
16:00 - Free Street Talk with Coming Soon
Open to all – join us in the village for a lively outdoor conversation celebrating local voices and literary culture.
Meet the Authors
We are excited to welcome an incredible lineup of authors who will be sharing their stories, insights, and creative journeys with you. Our guest speakers range from internationally acclaimed novelists to emerging voices shaping the literary landscape. The official author list will be announced soon.
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Coming Soon
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Jill Dawson
Jill Dawson has won prizes for poetry, short stories and fiction and been publishing since she was twenty-three. She is the editor of six anthologies including the bestselling Virago Book of Wicked Verse.
She has eleven novels published by Sceptre which include Fred & Edie, The Great Lover, The Crime Writer, The Language of Birds and The Bewitching.
Jill was awarded an honorary doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University in 2006 in recognition of her writing. She has twice been nominated for the Women’s Prize; short-listed for the Whitbread prize; nominated for a Folio award and for an IMPAC award; was a Richard and Judy Summer Read and won a Fiction Uncovered Award, first prize in the Harpers Bazaar short story prize, an Eric Gregory Award for poetry and won the East Anglian Book of the Year. She has been a Costa Prize Judge.
Jill has taught Creative Writing all over the world, including the University of East Anglia, Amherst College, Massachusetts; Faber Academy, The Times online, Singapore, China, Tahiti and Bali. In 2008 she founded Gold Dust Mentoring, which helps new writers reach publication. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Her new novel Pixie is published by Bloomsbury and is a ‘captivating’ story of 'the most famous tarot artist you've never heard of' according to Paula Hawkins.
Planning to attend the Wow event?
Staying in Gstaad?
Extend your stay and enjoy the comfort and luxury of these top hotels. Whether you're looking for a serene retreat or a luxurious experience, Gstaad offers a range of accommodations that cater to every taste. Plus, when you purchase a ticket, you'll gain access to exclusive offers from our hotel partners, making your stay even more enjoyable!
Getting to Gstaad?
Here’s how to get to this charming alpine village from major Swiss cities like Geneva, Zurich, and Bern. Whether you prefer the convenience of a train ride or the flexibility of driving, we've got you covered.
Previous Authors
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![Black and white portrait of a woman with long hair and a necklace, wearing a jacket.]()
Angie Kim
Winter 2025
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![Black and white photo of a man in a white shirt sitting at a cafe table with a cup of coffee.]()
Andrew O'Hagan
Winter 2025
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![A smiling man with light hair and a striped button-up shirt outdoors with trees in the background.]()
Will Smith
Winter 2025 - Special Guest
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![A woman with wavy hair wearing a button-up shirt, standing at a doorway with her arms crossed, outdoors.]()
Louise Doughty
Summer 2024
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![Black and white portrait of a man with short hair, wearing a leather jacket and a striped shirt, leaning against a brick wall.]()
Georgi Gospodinov
Summer 2024
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![Black and white portrait of a woman with wavy hair, wearing a collared shirt, looking at the camera.]()
Seraina Kobler
Summer 2024
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![Black and white photo of a woman with dark hair, wearing a turtleneck, looking at the camera, holding a strand of her hair.]()
Colombe Schneck
Summer 2024
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![Black and white portrait of a woman with long dark hair, wearing a blazer, sitting on a couch with a slight smile and looking at the camera.]()
Avni Doshi
Summer 2024
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![Álvaro Enrigue]()
Álvaro Enrigue
Summer 2024
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![A black-and-white photograph of a man with dark, slicked-back hair, smiling and wearing a suit and tie, with a microphone attached to his face.]()
Martin Suter
2022
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![Black and white photo of a man in a suit standing against a textured wall]()
Giuliano da Empoli
2023
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![Black and white portrait of a woman with short dark hair, wearing a dark blazer, looking at the camera.]()
Lea Carpenter
2022
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![A black and white photo of a middle-aged man wearing a suit and white shirt, smiling.]()
Oliver Stone
2021
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![Black-and-white photograph of a woman with long dark hair, wearing glasses, a blazer, and a collared shirt, standing on a balcony or rooftop with a cityscape in the background.]()
Sloane Crosley
2023
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![Black and white portrait of a man with a thoughtful expression, resting his chin on his hand, in front of a blurred background.]()
Louis de Bernières
2022
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![Black and white portrait of a man with short, dark hair, light eyes, and light face hair, wearing a white shirt and looking at the camera.]()
Peter Stamm
2021
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![A young man with dark hair, beard, and casual clothing, standing in front of a camera and studio lighting, touching his neck, in black and white.]()
Francois-Henri Désérable
2023
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![Black and white photograph of a man wearing a tuxedo with a bow tie, in front of a backdrop with partially visible letters.]()
Jay McInerney
2023
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![Black-and-white portrait of a woman with styled hair, wearing a collared shirt, smiling slightly, outdoors with blurred buildings and trees in the background.]()
Simone Lappert
2021
Frequently Asked Questions
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Gstaad is easily accessible by train or car from within Switzerland.
By train: Direct connections via Montreux or Spiez. The Gstaad train station is a short walk from all main venues.
By car: Parking is available in and around the village. We recommend arriving early to secure a spot.
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While we don’t offer in-house booking, we’ve partnered with several local hotels offering special discounts for WoW Gstaad guests.
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Standard talk tickets do not include meals. However, you can book a Gourmet Lunch Package at selected venues like The Alpina Hotel. Gstaad also offers many restaurants, cafés, and bakeries within walking distance.
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Yes! You’ll be able to purchase books by all featured authors at our Festival Bookstand, in collaboration with Librairie des Alpages.
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Definitely. Most talks are followed by book signing sessions, where you can meet the author and have your book signed.
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Yes, if not sold out, you can purchase same-day tickets at the door.
We accept cash and TWINT only.
Booking in advance is highly recommended to secure your spot. -
Yes! Children are welcome. While most talks are aimed at adults and young adults, we also host Young Writers sessions and creative workshops suitable for younger audiences.
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Talks will be in English or French, depending on the author. Each session’s language is listed in the programme.
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Thank you for your interest! We welcome individuals and companies who believe in our mission: Preserve Literature. Support Writers. Encourage Readers.
To become a donor or sponsor, please contact:
📩 roel@wowgstaad.com -
Absolutely! If you're interested in writing about WoW Gstaad, interviewing authors, or receiving press materials, we’d love to hear from you.
📩 Please reach out to roel@wowgstaad.com with your name, media outlet, and how you'd like to collaborate.
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Gstaad is walkable, bring comfortable shoes.
Weather in the Alps can change quickly, carry a light jacket or umbrella.
Come early to soak in the atmosphere and grab a coffee!
Follow us on Instagram for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and author announcements.
Contact us.
WoW Gstaad
roel@wowgstaad.com