KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL 2026 ANNOUNCES ITS NEXT SET OF CONFIRMED SPEAKERS AND EVENTS

Kendal Mountain Festival, the world’s largest outdoor cultural event, has unveiled the second set of confirmed speakers and events for its 2026 Festival, scheduled for 19-22 November.
This four-day celebration of adventure, culture, nature and exploration invites over 25,000 outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers to come together and share stories through film, conversations, music, outdoor activities and unforgettable parties.
The Festival’s packed programme will host over 450 events that include more than 300
world-class athletes, explorers and artists, screening 150 films – from short stories to world
premieres – and will feature over 60 activities and workshops.
Kendal Co-Director Clive Allen says: “Each year there’s a subtly different vibe to the Kendal programme, and this time there’s definitely something exciting in the air! I’m already inspired by the films, speakers and collaborators we’ll be bringing to our audience. I’m going to say – yet again – it’s looking bigger and better than ever, and I can’t wait!”
Highlights include;
Two of the world’s toughest, most accomplished and yet under-the-radar women climbers come together in the gripping film The Queen Swing, as Kate Kelleghan and Laura Pineau attempt to become the first women to climb Yosemite’s Triple Crown of Mount Watkins, Half Dome and El Cap in under 24 hours. Spoiler alert – they did it! – and both Kate and Laura will be on stage after the screening.
Festival Patron, climber and adventurer Leo Houlding will take the stage to share his latest jaw-dropping tales and candid reflections on his most recent adventures, including a return to Mount Asgard on Baffin Island.
This year’s Climb Session is themed around ‘mastery’, hosting an exceptional line-up of climbers whose careers have been defined by mastering different disciplines of the sport. Live on stage will be Tom Randall, redefining what is possible on some of the world’s hardest crack-climbing routes; Dave MacLeod on advancing the science of climbing
performance while achieving groundbreaking ascents across trad, winter and sport climbing; Olly Tippett, synonymous with hard aid climbing; bouldering maestro Elias Iagnemma fresh from his ascent of Exodia, provisionally graded the world’s first 9A+; Kate Kelleghan and Laura Pineau, exponents of close partnerships in big-wall free climbing; and rounding out this incredible line-up is Siebe Vanhee, master of psyche for difficult and exposed trad climbing.
BBC Radio 6 broadcaster, DJ and author, Zakia Sewell will be sharing her latest book, Finding Albion. Longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for non-fiction, the story explores an alternative, inclusive spirit of British identity through folk songs, ancient legends, and seasonal rituals, moving beyond traditional narratives of empire and monarchy.
As part of the Festival weekend, the Merrell Fund will distribute £15,000 in funding to outdoor charities. Four pre-selected organisations will pitch their projects to a live audience, who will determine how the funding is awarded based on the positive impact the grants will enable.
The Nature Chronicles prize-giving ceremony returns for its third year to celebrate outstanding works of non-fiction nature writing. The winner will be announced live at the event, receiving a cash prize of £10,000 plus the five runners-up will each receive £1,000.
Celebrating the life of John Cleare, Kendal dedicates a session to the internationally renowned adventure photographer through his memoir Cleare Perspectives. Hosted by editor Deziree Wilson, on stage will be climbing legend Martin Boysen plus award-winning adventure photographer, climber and filmmaker Hamish Frost.
There will be a special edition of Wilderness Tracks, presented by BBC Radio 4’s Geoff Bird as he interviews award-winning broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle. Ben will share six pieces of music and confide why each piece connects him to nature.
Writer, BBC presenter, filmmaker, and expedition leader Will Millard has partnered with Great Britain’s national mapping service, Ordnance Survey to create an extraordinary fully-illustrated story of Britain exploring where, why and how we have moved around the island over the centuries.
Get ready for a stunning line-up of the UK’s best climbing and adventure films as BritRock at Kendal returns, with founder Alastair Lee presenting the latest new films from the vertical world; epic ascents, big laughs, gripping moments, plus special guests will be on stage sharing behind-the-scenes stories.
Each month between July and October, Kendal Mountain Festival will release newly confirmed events, with the Film Programme announced mid-October. Those unable to attend the Festival in person can watch the Film Programme through the Kendal Mountain Player, the Festival’s own streaming platform.