Agatha Christie Festival 2026: What to expect in Torbay this September

The International Agatha Christie Festival returns to Torbay from 12 to 20 September 2026, offering a week-long immersion into the life and legacy of the world’s best-selling author. The event serves as a focal point for literary enthusiasts and families, utilizing iconic local landmarks to explore the deep connection between Christie and the English Riviera.

Festival highlights and historical commemorations

The 2026 programme is structured into two distinct segments: a four-day Fringe Festival followed by a four-day Literary Festival. The latter will be primarily hosted within the historic Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey.

A significant moment in the schedule occurs on Sunday, 13 September, with the official unveiling of a new Torbay Civic Society Blue Plaque. The ceremony, scheduled for 12.30pm outside the Assembly Rooms on Lymington Road, honors Christie’s service as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse during the First World War. Immediately following the unveiling, the Assembly Rooms will host a session titled “What Agatha Did in the Great War,” which examines how her wartime experiences with the British Red Cross between 1914 and 1918 influenced her later writing career.

Additional cultural programming includes a town twinning ceremony with Spa, Belgium, on 17 September, designed to foster international ties, and a series of new short films dedicated to the author’s life.

Family activities and self-guided exploration

For families and younger visitors, the festival provides the free “Little Miss Marple and Mr Poirot Harbourside Trail.” Participants can collect trail sheets from the Visitor Information Centre on Vaughan Parade to locate eight character displays hidden in shop windows around the harbour. Successfully completing the trail allows participants to claim a commemorative badge.

Visitors looking to explore at their own pace can utilize the “Agatha Christie Mile,” an interactive map supported by Great Western Railway. This route connects key locations across the Bay that served as inspiration for Christie’s work. The week’s proceedings conclude with an Agatha-themed garden party, providing a social finale to the festival.

What readers need to know

The festival is a collaborative effort, featuring educational projects and workshops involving over 300 local children and young people. While many aspects of the festival are accessible to the public, the event features a mix of free and ticketed activities.

Prospective attendees should note the following:

Because the festival programme includes both ticketed sessions and free community events, visitors are encouraged to consult the official website to view the full schedule and secure bookings for specific literary talks or workshops in advance.

Source: Torbay Council