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The Best Literary Festivals To Get Excited For
Reading glasses at the ready: there’s plenty for book-lovers to celebrate at these literary festivals
By | 7 months ago
Calling all book lovers: there’s plenty to be excited about on the literary calendar. Here are the literary festivals not to miss in 2023, and to get excited for in 2024.
The UK’s Best Literary Festivals Still To Come In 2023
Southbank Summer 2023 Literature & Spoken Word Season
When? June–October 2023
Where? Southbank Centre (Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX)
Running in tandem with the Southbank Centre’s eco-focussed Planet Summer series of events this summer, a star-studded line-up of writers has been announced for the Summer 2023 Literature and Spoken Word Season. Celebrating new novels are the likes of Yomi Adegoke, Julian Barnes, Stephen Buoro, Jacqueline Crooks, Guy Gunaratne, Zadie Smith and Colson Whitehead; Linton Kwesi Johnson, Kate Molleson, Caitlin Moran and Elliot Page will talk about their non-fiction books; Yanis Varoufakis will launch his new book on economics, capitalism and inequality, while Theresa May will discuss her The Abuse of Power; and, in poetry, the National Poetry Library will explore autism and poetry and celebrate emerging poets with Hong Kong connections, while Out-Spoken will return for its monthly residency. southbankcentre.co.uk
North Cornwall Book Festival
When? 21–24 September 2023
Where? St Endellion Church (St Endellion, Port Isaac PL29 3TP)
North Cornwall Book Festival offers something slightly different. As an independent, locally-run literary festival, this largely unknown event may not pull some of the bigger names you’ve seen at the country’s larger literary celebrations, however, for what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in passion and authenticity. With an abundance of workshops, readings and performances on offer across the weekend, this is certainly not one to miss. ncornbookfest.org
Brontë Festival of Women’s Writing
When? 22–24 September 2023
Where? Brontë Parsonage Museum, Church Street, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8DR
Join leading women writers in celebrating the written word and the great out doors at the Brontë Parsonage Museum’s 12th annual Brontë Festival of Women’s Writing. Set in the famous family’s former home, the festival amplifies the voices of women who are driving conversations in sustainability and championing creativity. Confirmed speakers include: Bradford based multilingual poet, spoken word artist and author Nabeela Ahmed; vegan food writer Katy Beskow, ahead of the launch of her ninth cookbook ‘Easy Speedy Vegan’; and author, naturalist, illustrator and sometime presenter of BBC Springwatch Emma Mitchell. bronte.org.uk
Marlborough LitFest
When? 28 September–1 October 2023
Where? Marlborough, Wiltshire
This year sponsored by Fermoie, Marlborough LitFest is back for 2023, championing new and upcoming writers alongside established names, with Irish author Sebastian Barry announced as this year’s Golding Speaker. With a focus on encouraging a love of reading in children, expect author talks, competitions and fun for all the family. marlboroughlitfest.org
Cliveden Literary Festival
When? 30 September–1 October 2023
Where? Cliveden House (Taplow, Berkshire SL6 0JF)
Situated amongst the spectacular surroundings of British country estate, Cliveden House – renowned for its literary salons since 1666, favoured by the likes of Alexander Pope and Sir Winston Churchill – this historic literary festival is not one to be missed. This year, top speakers include Zadie Smith, Tom Holland, Mary Beard and Maggie O’Farrell. clivedenliteraryfestival.org
Henley Literary Festival
When? 30 September–8 October 2023
Where? A series of fantastic venues including Phyllis Court and The Hibernia at Hobbs Boat Yard in Henley
Henley Literary Festival returned this autumn with an impressive line-up of speakers, workshops, performances and Q&As with a long list of illustrious authors. Highlights included David Dimbleby, Ella Mills, Lenny Henry, Rosemary Shrager, Jenny Packham, Mel C and many more big names. Stay tuned for details of the 2023 event. henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk
Ilkley Literature Festival
When? 6–22 October 2023
Where? Ilkley
The 50th anniversary edition of the north’s oldest literary festival is shaping up to be the best yet. Launched by poet W. H. Auden in 1973, the Ilkley Literature Festival will welcome a plethora of poets, novelists, journalists and biographers to the Yorkshire spa town this autumn, from children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson to TV presenter Clare Balding to Poet Laureate Simon Armitage. ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk
Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival
When? 19–22 October 2023
Where? Harrogate
John Lawrence
Previous speakers have included a host of literary icons, such as Louise Minchin, Sir Tim Waterstone, and Tom Bradby. In 2019, former Prime Minister David Cameron appeared for an exclusive conversation with James Langlade, the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent, discussing his controversial memoir For the Record. In 2022, speakers included Susie Dent, David Lascelles, Stephen May and more. harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
Cheltenham Literature Festival
When? 6–15 October 2023
Where? Select venues across Cheltenham
The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival is the UK’s oldest literary festival. Each year’s fantastic line-up welcomes some of the best and brightest of the literary and entertainment spheres for an exciting programme of over 500 workshops, interviews and debates. Incredible writers on this year’s line up include Andi Osho, Elizabeth Day, Jaqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen and Judy Murray. cheltenhamfestivals.com
London Literature Festival
When? 18–29 October 2023
Where? Southbank Centre (Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX)
Kim Jakobsen To
There’s always a heavy-weight line-up of the biggest authors and speakers at the capital’s most talked-about literary festival of the year. Previous speakers have included the likes of Hilary Clinton, Philip Pullman and Tom Hanks take to the stage for individually-ticketed events. The equally sensational programme for 2023 includes George the Poet, Yu Miri, Teju Cole, Sir Patrick Stewart, Jada Pinkett Smith, Kerry Washington, Jacqueline Wilson and more, plus a panel of climate voices hosted by Greta Thunberg. southbankcentre.co.uk
Bridport Literary Festival
When? 5–11 November 2023
Where? Bridport, Dorset
Bridport’s annual literary festival will return for 2023, filling autumnal Dorset with bookish joy. Details for this year are still TBC, but 2022’s guest authors included Kit de Waal and Chris Patten. bridlit.com
DESIblitz Literature Festival
When? 20–28 October 2023
Where? Birmingham
Saima Mir
The DESIblitz Literature Festival is all about celebrating British South Asian talent in the books sphere. In 2022, it featured a mix of in-person and digital events, from author talks to panel discussions and workshops. The line-up included the likes of Ready Steady Cook chef Romy Gill, author Saima Mir, DJ Tommy Sandhu and children’s author Bali Rai. Budding writer? A whole host of literary names also took to the stage to discuss their top tips for getting published. desiblitz.com
The UK’s Best Literary Festivals To Get Excited For In 2024
Bay Tales Live
When? 2 March 2024
Where? Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
Having launched in February 2022, Bay Tales Live will return for its third annual one-day literary festival in 2024. As always, the focus will be on crime fiction, with 2023’s line-up including more than 15 of the UK’s bestselling crime and mystery writers. baytales.com
Sherborne Travel-Writing Festival
When? TBC; hopefully April 2024
Where? Sherborne, Dorset
What? The first Sherborne Travel-Writing Festival took place in the beautiful Dorset abbey town in April 2023, where 10 of Britain’s best-known travel writers spoke about their experiences of roaming the world’s jungles, cities, rivers, deserts, plains, oceans, and mountains. A welcome reminder, after the traumas and restrictions of recent years, that travel is a powerful force for good, a necessary tonic for the human soul, we’re hopeful that it will return in 2024. sherbornetravelwritingfestival.com
Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair
When? 16–19 May 2024
Where? Saatchi Gallery (Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, London SW3 4RY)
(© Clare Hughes Photography)
If old and rare books are your bag, this literary festival might be the one for you. The 2024 theme is still TBC, but the 2023 fair celebrated four centuries since Shakespeare’s First Folio was published under the theme ‘Shakespeare: 400 Years of Influence’. Over 100 international antiquarian dealers showcased a wide range of material, and we expect a similar turnout in 2024. firstslondon.com
The Last Word Festival
When? TBC; hopefully June 2024.
Where? The Roundhouse (Chalk Farm Road, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8EH)
Poetry slam heats 2022 (image courtesy of The Last Word, cropped)
Celebrating its tenth year in 2023, The Last Word literary festival has the renowned Roundhouse Poetry Slam at its core, but visitors can expect to also hear performances and discussions from poets, writers and groups. roundhouse.org.uk
Queen’s Reading Room Festival
When? TBC; hopefully June 2024.
Where? Hampton Court Palace (Hampton Court Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU)
The inaugural Queen’s Reading Room Festival took place in 2023, set against the stunning Hampton Court Palace. A one-day literary festival, it pulled together street food, spoken poetry, literary tours and Q&As with the likes of Dame Judi Dench – and we’re hopeful a follow-up edition will arrive in 2024. royalreadingroom.seetickets.com
Mayfair Times Literary Festival
When? TBC; hopefully June 2024.
Where? Venues across Mayfair, Marylebone, St James’s, Belgravia and Chelsea
Supported by Auriens Chelsea and Montblanc, the third Mayfair Times Literary Festival took over west London in summer 2023, celebrating the written word with a packed programme of star-studded talks, walks, quizzes, cocktails nights, theatre events, panel discussions, and much more. Stay tuned for 2024 details. mayfairtimes.co.uk
Bradford Literature Festival
When? 28 June–7 July 2024
Where? Bradford, West Yorkshire
The City of Culture for 2025, Bradford Literature Festival changes lives through widening access to world-class arts and literature for all. Inspiring over 100,000 children and young people through their events since 2014, the 2024 edition will be the 10th anniversary of this annual literary festival, which is a leader in social inclusion, accessibility and representation, and showcasing trailblazing voices from the UK and beyond. bradfordlitfest.co.uk
Wealden Festival
When? TBC; hopefully June 2023.
Where? Boldshaves Garden (Boldshaves Lane, Woodchurch, Ashford TN26 3RA)
Some of the biggest names in literature lead workshops focused on the environment, mental health and the arts at Wealden Festival 2023. Michael Morpurgo, Dara McAnulty, Kimberley Wilson, AC Grayling, former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, Will Gompertz, Keggie Carew, Gaia Vince and Madeleine Bunting all spoke at the family-friendly weekend, which was launched in 2015 to celebrate nature, creativity and the outdoors. Talks, debates, creative workshops and hands-on outdoor events examined the key issues that affect us today, from the lifestyle changes we can make to be more environmentally friendly to how to improve wellbeing through nutrition, mindfulness and meditation. Stay tuned for 2024 details. wealdenliteraryfestival.co.uk
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
When? 18–21 July 2024
Where? Harrogate
This award-winning festival celebrates crime fiction at its best. The 2023 edition celebrated the 20th anniversary, drawing Val McDermid, Lee Child, Andrew Child, Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware, Ann Cleeves, Jeffery Deaver, Lucy Worsley, S. A. Cosby and Chris Hammer up to Harrogate for engaging talks. Keep your eyes peeled for news about 2024. harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
Petworth Festival
When? TBC; hopefully July 2024.
Where? West Sussex
Gavin Bond
You can always guarantee a star-studded line-up of guests at this illustrious literary extravaganza. The 2022 instalment featured a whole host of big names, from Hugh Bonneville to Ben Okri and Kate Mosse, Charlotte Mullins discussing the power of art, Michael Parkinson on the world of sport, Andrew Gimson on being Boris Johnson’s biographer, and much more. petworthfestival.org.uk
Queen’s Park Book Festival
When? TBC; hopefully September 2024.
Where? Queen’s Park, London
Queen’s Park Book Festival boasts a wonderful literary history as a home to authors, artists, poets, and actors, carrying on this legacy by creating a platform for other young aspiring writers to be discovered. Visitors in 2023 had the chance to see names like Robert Harris, Clover Stroud and Juliet Rosenfeld, plus Oskar Jensen and Dr John Woolf discussed the hidden stories of marginalized Victorians. queensparkbookfestival.co.uk
Featured image: Cliveden House Hotel
