Kilkenomics announces packed lineup for 2026 edition
The world’s only economics and comedy festival has been educating and entertaining audiences since 2010
Kilkenomics has released details of its 2026 programme, which will take place from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 8.
With the world in turmoil, Kilkenomics has gone truly global this year, hosting writers and thinkers from America, Canada, China, Lebanon, India, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Serbia, South Africa, Brazil and Ireland.
The weekend features Cory Doctorow, Mariana Mazzucato, Rory Sutherland, The Etymology Nerd and Kyla Scanlon, plus the Planet Money team - the biggest economics podcast in the States - are in from New York for three shows including one in St Canice’s Cathedral.
The world economy has never felt more complex and Kilkenomics has put together some amazing thinkers, its strongest lineup yet, to help explain and interrogate what’s going on, from AI to Iran, from the end of the dollar to immigration and reimaging Ireland’s economy; some of the world’s best brains are lined up to answer the audience questions.
With 70 speakers across 70 events in 12 venues over three days throughout the city, including the 13th century spectacular Gothic surroundings of St Canice’s Cathedral, the oldest surviving medieval town house in Ireland, Hole in the Wall, the Set Theatre, Cleere’s and the Home Rule Club, the festival promises an eclectic programme for all audiences.
In relation to world affairs, the festival will focus on America, China, Iran, the Middle East, the US midterms, technology and the future of AI. Expert panels will also help you identify trends in the markets, debate wealth taxes and consider what comes after globalisation.
The festival will welcome one of the most influential economists in the world: Mariana Mazzucato. When she is not watching Arsenal, she is advising presidents, cabinets, international agencies and business leaders.
The New York Times said: “Mariana Mazzucato wants liberals to talk less about redistribution of wealth and more about its creation. Politicians around the world are listening.” She will be signing books at the festival.#
From across the Atlantic, Kilkenomics will bring Cory Doctorow, the man who coined the term Enshittification to describe what is happening to the internet.
Kyla Scanlon, Gen Z’s favourite economic commentator, will join from the US, to discuss the vibes economy and more.
Planet Money (one of the biggest and best economics podcasts in the world) explains the economy to millions of Americans every week, and its team will come from NYC to reveal how they make economics both understandable and fun.
The wildly popular author of Algospeak, Adam Aleksic, will also be flying in. A linguist and social media influencer, he is best known as the Etymology Nerd to over three million followers online.
Rory Sutherland, Ogilvy’s most quotable ad-man and (unintentional) TikTok sensation, is back for a solo show.
Kilkenomics’s lineup will also include Branko Milanovic, Isabella Weber, Mark Blyth, Sony Kapoor and Liam Halligan.