Being Human Festival: Festival celebrating Dundee's arts, history and culture is coming to the city next month
Dundee’s fascinating history, world-famous comics and video games industries, and incredible creative talent are set to take centre stage this November as Being Human Festival brings an exciting programme of events to the city!
Taking place from Thursday 5 to Saturday 14 November 2026, the festival will feature 10 activities across Dundee, including fascinating talks, creative workshops, a city centre walking tour and a special exhibition.
And with events exploring everything from the creation of Grand Theft Auto and Desperate Dan to Mary Shelley’s connections with Dundee, there’s plenty to discover about the city and its remarkable cultural heritage.
What is Being Human Festival?
Being Human Festival is the UK’s national festival of the humanities, celebrating the ways history, literature, art, culture and human creativity help people understand the world around them.
Led by the School of Advanced Study at the University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy, the festival brings university research into communities through public events.
This year’s Dundee programme is organised by the University of Dundee and Abertay University, working alongside local cultural organisations and community partners.
The activities will take place at several familiar locations, including Water’s Edge at City Quay, The Little Theatre, Lost Galaxy Comic Shop and Dundee Central Library.
Celebrating Dundee’s comics, games and creative history
One of the programme’s main themes is Dundee’s remarkable contribution to comics and video games.
From the creation of iconic comic characters to the development of globally recognised games, Dundee has played a significant role in shaping popular culture.
The festival will explore these connections through events including Comics and Games, Making Comics and Dundee Tales, with opportunities to meet researchers, artists and comic creators.
There will also be a special walking tour exploring Dundee’s creative history, taking visitors past locations associated with the city’s comics and games industries before finishing with a motion-capture demonstration at Abertay University.
From Frankenstein to Gulliver’s Travels
Literature will also feature prominently throughout the festival.
A special event will explore the time Mary Shelley spent in Dundee and how her experiences influenced her imagination and the creation of Frankenstein.
The evening will include the launch of a new website dedicated to her Dundee connections, alongside a free comic inspired by her stories.
Meanwhile, Dundee Central Library will host events celebrating 300 years of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, including poetry, discussions and an exhibition featuring artwork by Duncan of Jordanstone illustration students.
Opportunities to get creative
Being Human Festival isn’t just about listening to talks. Several activities will give visitors the chance to get involved.
Young people aged 8–14 can take part in a workshop creating comic strips inspired by Dundee, with the possibility of having their work featured in a new publication, Dundee Tales, in 2027.
Other sessions will explore the process of creating comics collaboratively and writing for film, offering an insight into the creative work behind familiar forms of entertainment.
The programme has been designed to appeal to a wide audience, from families and young people to anyone interested in Dundee’s history, storytelling and creativity.
How to attend Being Human Festival in Dundee
The Dundee programme runs from 5–14 November 2026, with events taking place across the city.
All 10 activities are open to the public, although most require advance booking due to limited spaces. The Gulliver@300 exhibition at Dundee Central Library does not require booking.
The programme includes talks, workshops and other opportunities to explore the stories that have shaped Dundee, while celebrating the city’s continuing contribution to culture and creativity.
With so much of Dundee’s history and identity connected to storytelling, comics, games and design, Being Human Festival promises to be a fantastic opportunity to discover the city from a different perspective.
Further information about the national festival is available at beinghumanfestival.org.
