Rather than hosting at just one venue, the festival hosts more than 100 events spreading over 40 venues all over Essex, from libraries to lightships. Set to headline the month-long event is Dr Sarah Perry, Essex University chancellor, with her highly anticipated new novel Enlightenment. An expected highlight is a parade of 500 flags celebrating hidden gems of the east coast, proceeding from St Leonard-at-the-Hythe church on Hythe Hill to the university campus.
The UK’s largest kids’ book festival is back with more than 100 events. Over the course of two days children will have the opportunity to engage with The Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler, learn how to write interesting articles from The Week Junior team and listen to Captain Hook tell his side of the story about what really happened with Peter Pan in Neverland.
One of the largest literature festivals in the UK, the Bradford Literature Festival considers itself Europe’s most eclectic and diverse. Topics like AI, the climate emergency and global feminism are up for discussion, featuring speakers like Miriam Margolyes, Corinne Bailey Rae and Shaparak Khorsandi. Attendees can enjoy workshops on creative writing, poetry and storytelling from well-respected authors and poets.
Poets from all over the world gather to read, debate and share their poetry with readers, surrounded by orchards and hills. Award-winning poets such as Fleur Adcock, Liz Berry, Imtiaz Dharker, Jackie Kay, Zaffar Kunial and Paul Muldoon will stand alongside upcoming talents in a thrillingly electric mix of events and workshops, music, exhibitions and bike rides. Dig deep into interesting ideas, take in poetry over a pint, craft your own writing style or showcase your skills in the slam.
Known for its eclecticism, the five-day event on the most south-westerly tip of the UK will feature farming, football and fairy tales, plus some fabulous folk music. Ann Cleeves, famous for featuring coastal locations for dark deeds, is set to join in to discuss her forthcoming novel The Dark Wives. In addition to hearing from a variety of creatives, attendees can take part in novel writing workshops to hone their skills.
5-7 July, Fenton House & Garden, Hampstead, North London
Dreaming of beekeeping, foraging, and plenty of time resting under apple trees? You can do it all while attending a dream garden party at 17th century Fenton House. Novelist Zadie Smith, former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and poet Tim Key will be there too, talking and workshopping with attendees.
Exploring the “power of play”, this year, the four-day festival will feature street performances, music and workshops under a myriad of tents set up in Newark’s Royal Market. Newark Town Hall, the Palace Theatre and the National Civil War Centre will host a series of conversations with internationally renowned and local authors.
Celebrating women, Black and Asian artists, the LGBTQ+ community, disabled and working-class people, the three-day event promises a community of friendship, openness, curiosity, tolerance and fun. It’s the festival for people who don’t think book festivals are ‘for them’. Alongside the planned conversations and interviews with authors, there will be live music, comedy and therapies.
Pembrokeshire’s youngest literary festival boasts a variety of international and local Welsh writers, all set to give talks and lead discussions in a former fishing village on the Cleddau in Llangwm. While this year’s programme has yet to be announced, previous years have offered everything from crime-writing panels to nature writing workshops, with a village choir performance livening up the evenings.
Edinburgh International Festival bookshop. Image: edbookfest.co.uk
Should events go ahead as planned, 500 events will take place over the festival. Highlights include Richard Osman talking about his new series in a worldwide exclusive interview with Ian Rankin at the festival’s pop-up village and Dolly Alderton chatting about her modern novel, Good Material.
Gaelic language events are sprinkled through this weekend of live music, drama, book chat and dance performances in the seaside town of Nairn. On the outskirts runs a fringe festival with local creative and performance groups. Two family days will include free outdoor activities for adults and children alike.
Don’t be put off by the name – this celebration of crime writing attracts the best authors in the genre. Past guests have included Val McDermid and Sir Ian Rankin. There’s also a pitching event for aspiring authors and a hotly contested quiz.
Set in the picturesque market town of Marlborough, the long weekend offers a chance to immerse in literary arts while meeting fellow book lovers and discovering new perspectives. Sarah Perry, Robert Peston and Martin Sixsmith are the first guests who’ve been announced, with a long list of others to come.
An intimate event curated by best-selling author Patrick Gale, the festival welcomes attendees to engage with author events, live music, workshops and an art exhibition on and around the ancient St Endellion hamlet. Expect signing sessions with favourite authors and advice surgeries for emerging authors.
Books and stories will come to life through narrative readings of kids’ favourite plot lines and characters. Workshops in the past have included creative writing sessions, illustration masterclasses and storytelling activities.
Bigwig at Wigtown Book Festival 2022. Image: wigtownbookfestival.com
Wander through Scotland’s national book town to find a festival of books, music, theatre, food and visual arts. A bagpipe procession through the second-hand bookshop-lined streets, followed by fireworks and a hog roast kicks off 10 days of 200 events and activities.
For 10 days, book lovers can drift through Montpellier Gardens to hear from some of the most talked about authors and discover brand new writers. While some events are ticketed, free family activities and fringe events are scattered through the Regency town.
Entries are flying in for the four international writing competitions which will be judged during the festival. The literary quiz and lunches were last year’s highlights, alongside talks from guests including Emily Kenway.
Inspired by the Bridport Prize for short story writing and poetry, the festival is celebrating its 20-year anniversary. The Bridlit Bursary offers £9,000 to two local Year 13 students who intend to apply for an undergraduate course.
This article is taken from The Big Issue magazine, which exists to give homeless, long-term unemployed and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy!
For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
