The New Yorker Festival has officially released its full lineup, setting the stage for a weekend of high-profile conversations, live podcast tapings, and musical performances across New York City from October 23rd through the 25th, according to the official festival schedule. Tickets for the annual celebration of culture and ideas went on sale Wednesday morning, offering exclusive discounts for subscribers alongside options for General Admission, Early Entry, and Student and Educator tickets.
A Star-Studded Return to New York City
As the magazine returns for another autumn run, this year’s roster balances heavyweight journalism with elite entertainment. Conan O’Brien kicks off high-profile appearances in conversation with David Remnick, while Gloria Steinem takes the stage alongside Jia Tolentino. According to event organizers, the three-day festival anchors its schedule in deep, unscripted dialogues pairing prominent cultural figures with the magazine’s signature writers and editors.
The entertainment and media lineup spans screen, stage, and comedy. Screenwriter, director, and playwright Aaron Sorkin sits down with Tyler Foggatt, and filmmaker Ken Burns talks craft with Michael Luo. Audiences can also catch actors Parker Posey, Matthew Broderick, and Michael Douglas speaking with Michael Schulman, Naomi Fry, and Ariel Levy, respectively. Additional marquee names feature Mahershala Ali with Vinson Cunningham, Ethan Hawke with Emily Nussbaum, and Cole Escola with Julian Lucas.
Live Performances and Cultural Roundtables
Beyond traditional sit-down interviews, the program integrates live musical performances directly into its speaker series. Alternative-rock band Pixies will discuss their work with Amanda Petrusich before taking the stage for a performance. Trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis pairs with Nick Trautwein for a similar conversation-and-concert format, while singer-songwriter King Princess joins Petrusich for an intimate performance block.
Literary programming anchors much of the daytime schedule. Author Colson Whitehead joins Julian Lucas, while authors Min Jin Lee and Elizabeth Strout share a joint session with Katy Waldman. Additional author pairings feature Ben Lerner, Valeria Luiselli, Tessa Hadley, Colm Tóibín, Ann Patchett, and Louise Erdrich in conversation with editorial staff including Deborah Treisman and Cressida Leyshon.
Podcast Taping and Specialized Panels
The festival leans heavily into audio journalism with live editions of its most popular podcasts. Critics at Large brings Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz to the stage for a special live taping, while The Political Scene features Susan B. Glasser, Jane Mayer, and Evan Osnos breaking down current national stakes.
Specialized topical discussions round out the weekend, including a panel titled Who Gets to Be an American? featuring writers Jonathan Blitzer and Jelani Cobb alongside author Isabel Wilkerson. Modern lifestyle and social dynamics also take center stage, highlighted by a joint appearance featuring clinical psychologist Becky Kennedy and parenting economist Emily Oster in dialogue with Dhruv Khullar.
Ticket Access and Subscriber Perks
Tickets are currently available to the public via the official ticketing portal. Attendees can choose from General Admission, Early Entry, or discounted Student and Educator tiers. Subscribers to the magazine receive exclusive pricing structures, with annual plans including a complimentary tote bag. Will you be grabbing a pass for the weekend’s live tapings, or are you zeroing in on the literary panels? Let us know what events are on your watchlist in the comments below.
