January 2026 Global Creators Events Calendar
January 2026 again gives creators, YouTubers, writers, and artists a dense month of conferences, festivals, and workshops worldwide, with many “warm” in‑person retreats plus some key online events. Below is an updated full blog-style guide with featured events and an expanded chart reflecting the January 2026 date
Why January 2026 is a power month for creators
January 2026 offers a rare mix of deep craft intensives, industry-facing conferences, and big public festivals across writing, comics, and children’s publishing. For YouTubers and digital storytellers, these gatherings double as content goldmines and networking hubs with authors, illustrators, and cultural institutions.
Writers can use the month to level up craft, pitch to agents, and generate new work, while artists and illustrators tap into comics scenes and kidlit markets. Because so many events cluster in mid‑ to late January, careful planning lets you stack one or two trips plus an online workshop without burning out.
Featured January 2026 events for writers
Curated roundups highlight a dozen “warm” or winter-friendly January 2026 conferences and workshops, many aimed at serious authors ready for deep immersion. These events blend craft talks, small-group workshops, and access to agents, editors, or established authors.
Pacific University MFA Residency Writers Conference
Dates: January 8-18, 2026
Location: Seaside, Oregon, USA
Format: In person, alongside the MFA residency
Why it’s a standout: Ten days of craft talks, workshops, panels, classes, and readings with leading literary faculty, ideal if you want sustained, graduate-level engagement and community.
Writing By Writers: GET THE LEAD OUT!
Dates: January 16 -18, 2026
Location: Online (Zoom)
Format: Virtual craft-intensive workshop
Why it’s a standout: Structured around daily faculty craft talks and small groups focusing on elements of craft, not manuscript critique, so participants generate new work and see their writing with fresh insight.
Southern California Writers’ Conference (and Retreat)
Dates: January 16-18, 2026
Location: San Diego, California, USA
Format: In person
Why it’s a standout: Faculty of 60+ working authors, editors, and agents, with workshops, pitch sessions, and market-focused guidance, aimed at getting manuscripts ready for publication.
Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway
Dates: January 16–19, 2026
Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Format: In person
Why it’s a standout: Participant-focused conference with workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and more, designed to advance craft and build community in a retreat environment.
TMW January Jumpstart
Dates: January 17-18, 2026
Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
Format: In person
Why it’s a standout: Short, budget-friendly weekend focusing on tracks in poetry and fiction to “jumpstart” your writing year.
Eckerd College Writers in Paradise
Dates: January 17-24, 2026
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
Format: In person
Why it’s a standout: Combines workshops, roundtables, manuscript consultations, Q&As, readings, and signings with established authors in a warm coastal setting.
These are strongest if your priority is to improve your work on the page, meet peers and mentors, and potentially make connections with agents or editors, rather than focusing on social media growth.
Featured January 2026 events for artists, comics creators, and kidlit illustrators
The comics and children’s-book worlds see big structural changes in 2026, especially around Angoulême, but there are still important opportunities
Le Grand Off (Angoulême replacement comics event)
Dates: End of January 2026 (three days; local reports describe “113 events over three days”)
Location: Angoulême, France
Format: In-person, city-wide “off” comics celebration
What’s changed: The traditional Angoulême Comic Art Festival 2026 was canceled after funding and organization conflicts, and is being replaced by Le Grand Off and related events.
Why it matters: The city is planning a major party atmosphere with evening events across multiple venues and a dense schedule of comics-focused programming, keeping Angoulême’s role as a comics capital alive.
SCBWI In‑Person Winter Conference 2026 (Kidlit)
Dates: January 16-18, 2026
Location: New York City, New York, USA
Format: In person, with linked virtual option
Why it’s a standout: The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ annual Winter Conference features keynotes, industry panels, Creative Labs for deep craft, and direct access to agents, editors, art directors, plus a portfolio showcase for illustrators.
These events are particularly good if you are an illustrator, comics creator, or visual storyteller looking to connect with publishers, showcase your portfolio, and gather material for visual content on YouTube or social platforms.
The January Lull for Digital Creator Events
January tends to be a slower month for events in general as there is some fatigue from the holidays. Even though there are few er January events aimed solely at digital creators, this month is ideal for cross-pollinating with literary and art worlds as well as with your lopcal communities.
Expanded chart: key January 2026 creator events
Here is an updated chart of major January 2026 events for writers, artists, comics creators, and kidlit illustrators.
If you tell whether you’re primarily a YouTuber, a prose writer, or a visual artist/comics creator, a focused January 2026 action plan can be outlined: which 1–2 events to prioritize, what to prepare, and what specific content or career outcomes to aim for at each.
About the Author
Nikki Lopez is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the startup world, specializing in leveraging creative content and community building to empower content creators. Known for a strategic approach and a deep understanding of audience needs, Nikki has a proven track record of leading the development of engaging content strategies and guiding the growth of thriving communities. Her leadership focuses on fostering meaningful interactions and impactful journeys for both creators and their audiences.
