The Atlantic Festival has officially set its 2026 lineup in New York City, bringing together a high-profile mix of cultural figures, journalists, political leaders, and exclusive entertainment previews from September 17 to 19. According to comprehensive festival programming details, the three-day event anchored at the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) will feature quarterback, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Colin Kaepernick discussing his upcoming memoir, alongside a major first look at Netflix’s upcoming limited series adaptation of John Steinbeck’s masterpiece, East of Eden.
Festival organizers confirmed that Kaepernick will sit down with contributing writer Jemele Hill to talk about his forthcoming book, The Perilous Fight. Meanwhile, television and film enthusiasts will get an exclusive early screening of Netflix’s seven-episode adaptation of East of Eden. Following the preview, a panel conversation will feature series writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner Zoe Kazan alongside star and executive producer Florence Pugh and Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria, moderated by staff writer Shirley Li.
Netflix production materials note that the ambitious drama spans decades and is bookended by the American Civil War and World War I. Florence Pugh stars as the complex antihero Cathy Ames, leading an ensemble cast that includes Christopher Abbott as Adam Trask, Mike Faist as Charles Trask, Ciarán Hinds as Samuel Hamilton, Hoon Lee as Lee, and Martha Plimpton as Faye. Directors Garth Davis and Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre helmed the episodes, with Jeb Stuart serving alongside Kazan as executive producer and co-showrunner. The series is slated for a global streaming release this fall.
Expanded Festival Programming and Notable Speakers
Beyond entertainment previews, the 2026 festival schedule features prominent voices from politics, investigative journalism, and culinary arts. Padma Lakshmi is scheduled to speak on the future of creative work and the entertainment industry, while Senator Mark Kelly will appear in conversation with staff writer Mark Leibovich. A dedicated panel on press freedom will feature The New York Times executive editor Joe Kahn, The Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg, and PBS NewsHour co-anchor Amna Nawaz. Additional political and policy discussions include former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo interviewed by anchor Stephanie Ruhle, alongside appearances by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and Bumble chief executive Whitney Wolfe Herd.
The festival’s cultural roster also includes filmmaker Richard Linklater, author and filmmaker Ben McKenzie, journalist Malcolm Gladwell, and author Emily Wilson. On the opening night of September 17, the Perelman Performing Arts Center will host “A Soundtrack of a Nation” at Zuccotti Theater, a special collaboration with Juilliard featuring composer and pianist Nicholas Britell, tap dancer and choreographer Michelle Dorrance, bass-baritone Davóne Tines, and Juilliard President Damian Woetzel.
Special Screenings and Documentary Showcases
Film screenings at the Roxy Cinema will add historical and comedic depth to the weekend. On Saturday, September 19, the festival will screen an exclusive preview of the forthcoming PBS documentary series Crime and Punishment, directed by Lynn Novick and executive produced by Ken Burns and Sam Pollard. The series examines the 250-year history of the United States’ criminal legal system and will be followed by a discussion featuring Novick and poet Reginald Dwayne Betts.
Another cinematic highlight at the Roxy Cinema is Playing POTUS, a new documentary exploring presidential parody through the lens of Saturday Night Live alumni and comedy legends, directed by Josh Greenbaum. Single-Day Passes, Out and About tickets, and 2-Day Premier and General Admission passes are currently on sale through the official Atlantic Festival portal, with an exclusive 30 percent discount available for subscribers.
Next Steps and Event Logistics
The Atlantic Festival runs from September 17 to 19, 2026, utilizing venues across New York City including PAC NYC, the Tenement Museum, the Brooklyn Public Library, and the Roxy Cinema. Underwriting support is provided by Genentech, Boston Scientific, Contentful, Edward Jones, TIAA, Allstate, Calm Health, Ferrero, Hauser & Wirth, and Seabourn Cruise Line. Media professionals and creators seeking credential access must contact festival communications in advance due to limited seating capacity.
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