What women can (actually) look forward to in 2026
What you’ll want to read, watch, listen to and attend this year
This year there’s plenty for us to delve into for feel good feminist inspiration and supporting women across film, books, music, art and sport...
Books you’ll want to read
Famesick by Lena Dunham. The director, actor and author releases a nonfiction book about how health issues have intersected with her life in the spotlight.
Hooked by Asako Yuzuki. From the author of Butter, the novel explores one woman’s obsession with another.
The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi. A myth-inspired YA fantasy release.
Bimbo by Ashley James. Written through a fierce feminist lens, Ashley unpacks the labels that box women in, and the systems that keep them there.
Little One by Olivia Muenter. A psychological narrative exploring wellness culture and womanhood.
Girls®: Generation Z and the Commodification of Everything by Freya India. A critical cultural analysis that examines how girlhood and youth culture are increasingly commodified.
Heartstopper Volume 6 by Alice Oseman. The final instalment of the graphic novel series which has followed the lives of Nick and Charlie, two teenage boys who fall in love. LGBTQ+ storytelling at its finest.
A Hymn to Life: Shame has to Change Sides by Gisele Pelicot. The extraordinarily powerful memoir by Gisèle who waived her right to anonymity when her husband and fifty other men were put on trial for rape.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. The story centers around “trad wife” Instagram influencer Natalie who wakes up one day back in 1805.
Kin by Tayari Jones. The novel follows two inseparable friends, Vernice and Annie, growing up in the segregated American South, dealing with absent mothers and the complexities of life.
Good Woman: A Reckoning by Savala Nolan. Tackles the pressures of conforming to stereotypical expectations of womanhood and how those expectations shape identities and freedoms. It blends memoir and analysis with critical reflection on gendered cultural norms.
Music you’ll want to listen to
Charli XCX is following up on her Brat album with her soundtrack to Emerald Fennell’s movie adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Absolutely, real name Abby-Lynn Keen and sister of Raye, is set to release new music and will be supporting Reneé Rap and her big sister. Jess Glynne has confirmed new music arriving later this year. Lana Del Rey’s long-delayed country album is reported to be released in early 2026. New music is also expected from Raye, Robyn, and Carly Rae Jepsen, with Madonna reported to be working on a follow-up to Confessions On A Dancefloor.
Lily Allen, Olivia Dean and Ariana Grande are all on tour in 2026 while TLC’s CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical opens in Washington, USA in June celebrating women’s legacies in pop culture.
Events you’ll want tickets to
The Tracey Emin Exhibition at Tate Modern in London, 27 February to 31 August. The landmark exhibition traces 40 years of Dame Emin’s groundbreaking career alongside works never exhibited before.
Women’s Prize LIVE, 10 June 2026. A major London-based day-festival celebrating books by women and featuring author talks, readings, and panels.
The 2026 Met Gala & Costume Art Exhibit is co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams with Anna Wintour on 4 May. “Costume Art” will be the inaugural exhibition, pairing paintings, sculptures, and other objects in the museum in relation to garments from the Costume Institute’s collection.
The 2026 Women’s Tribunal in Antwerp 25 to 28 March, a multi-day feminist arts and activism event marking 50 years since the 1976 Tribunal on Crimes against Women with debates, performances, and workshops.
Frida: The Making of an Icon, Tate Modern, London, 25 June to 3 January. The display consists of 50 photographic portraits of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and spans her life, from just two years-old and on her deathbed.
Everywoman Festival in London, 13 June. The empowerment festival is focuses on women’s health, wellbeing, workshops, talks, creative showcases, music & community.
What you’ll want to watch
Dracula
Cynthia Erivo will star in a solo adaptation of Dracula, playing all 23 roles, at the Noël Coward Theatre in London from 4 February to 31 May. The production, directed by Kip Williams, is a “cinetheatre” reimagining of Bram Stoker’s vampire classic.
Wuthering Heights
Directed by Saltburn’s Emerald Fennell and starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie. A new adaptation of the classic love story exploring the intense relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. Out 13 February.
The Bride!
Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal it’s inspired by the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein. Set in 1930s Chicago with a Bonnie & Clyde vibe, it stars Jessie Buckley as the Bride and Christian Bale as Frankenstein.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Miranda Priestly is back with Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway all returning to the follow up. Stanley Tucci is also back with joining the cast Kenneth Branagh in this must anticipated sequel.
The Drama
A romantic comedy drama film starring Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates, and Zoë Winters. Written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli it sees Emma and Charlie’s relationship is shaken when secrets start to spill just days before the wedding.
Bridgerton
Series 4 on Netflix. It’s time for Benedict Bridgerton, played by Luke Thompson, to take the spotlight. Benedict meets his romantic interest, Sophie, in the first episode of the new season but as usual, love never comes easy in the Ton.
Sports events you’ll want to tune into
2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup featuring the world’s best national teams. Berlin, 4 to 13 September.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will see 33 cricket matches across England and Wales. The flagship global event in women’s cricket ends with the final at Lord’s, London on 5 July 2026.
2026 Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup runs 14 to 30 August 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands, featuring 16 national teams competing for the world title.
Women’s Six Nations Championship sees England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales compete across the nations from 11 April to 17 May.
2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship is the top-tier of the women’s ice hockey world, bringing together elite teams in Denmark between 6 to 16 November.
2026 Winter Olympics, commonly known as Milano Cortina 2026, will see women’s competitions in skiing, bobsleigh, figure skating, curling, and other winter sports take centre stage from 6 to 22 February in Italy.
