Arts & Culture
The New Yorker Festival is an annual multi-day arts and ideas event presented by The New Yorker magazine, featuring interviews, panels, performances, and readings with leading figures in culture, politics, science, and the arts. Held primarily in New York City, it has become one of the most prestigious literary and cultural gatherings in the United States since its founding in 2000.
The festival was launched in 2000 by The New Yorker editor David Remnick, who sought to extend the magazine's editorial voice into live events. The inaugural edition featured a mix of interviews, panel discussions, and readings, setting a template that has largely endured. Over the years, the festival has expanded to include film screenings, comedy shows, and musical performances, often held at venues such as the SVA Theatre, Town Hall, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Each year's lineup is curated by the magazine's editors, with a focus on in-depth conversations rather than promotional appearances. The festival typically runs over a weekend in October, with some events selling out within minutes. A notable feature is the "New Yorker Live" series, which brings together writers and artists for intimate discussions.
Past guests have included former U.S. presidents, Nobel laureates, Oscar-winning actors, and Pulitzer Prize-winning authors. Highlights include a 2016 conversation between Barack Obama and David Remnick, a 2019 interview with Taylor Swift, and a 2022 session with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The festival has also featured scientists like Jane Goodall and economists like Paul Krugman, reflecting the magazine's broad intellectual scope.1
Some events have generated headlines beyond the arts world, such as a 2017 panel on the #MeToo movement and a 2020 virtual edition held during the COVID-19 pandemic, which adapted the format to streaming. The festival has also been a platform for debut performances and exclusive readings, adding to its cultural cachet.
Beyond the headline events, the festival includes a "Fiction" track where emerging writers read unpublished work, and a "Podcast" track featuring live recordings of shows like The New Yorker Radio Hour. A lesser-known tradition is the "Festival Pass," which offers access to multiple events at a discounted rate, often including exclusive Q&A sessions. The festival also sponsors a short-story contest for attendees, with winners published online.
Another niche element is the "New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest" live edition, where audience members compete to caption a cartoon on stage. The festival has also hosted culinary events, such as a 2018 dinner with chef David Chang, and has occasionally featured off-site events in Brooklyn and Queens, expanding beyond Manhattan's core venues.
The festival has influenced other publications to launch similar live events, such as The Atlantic Festival and Vox Conversations. It has also become a significant revenue stream for The New Yorker, complementing subscriptions and advertising. Critics have praised its ability to foster substantive dialogue, though some have noted a tendency toward celebrity-driven programming in recent years.
The festival's archive of recorded sessions serves as a resource for researchers and fans, with many available on the magazine's website. Its success has led to spin-off events, including a London edition in 2019 and a Los Angeles edition in 2023, indicating its enduring appeal and adaptability.
All information verified as of 2025.
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