Book and literary festivals in the UK

I’m a big reader (in volume rather than quality, life’s too short to just spend time reading books you ‘should’ be reading, rather than those you want to). But I’ve never been to a book festival. I do have one locally I’m planning to visit one year, but there’s plenty of literary festivals around the UK which cover many genres and are open to anyone – often for free. Some ticketed.

Which country reads the most?

India seems to come out on top for number of books an average person reads a week, and also the amount of time spent reading. Although there do seem to be a lot of gaps in the various websites due to lack of consistent sources (I do wonder whether the numbers include for study as well as leisure)

Biggest book festival in the world?

Jaipur Literature Festival – world’s largest free literary festival, held annually with international guests, writers and performances (held in Janury)

Largest book festival in Europe?

Frankfurt Book Fair – which is a trade fair for books.

If you’re in (or visiting) the UK, here’s the annual rotation of larger literary festivals in the UK. For both general festivals, and where they have book festivals for children. If you want to know more, always sign up to their newsletters for the latest news and dates.

Unfortunately a few, like my local one have ended, I guess because it’s just getting too expensive to hold, and they struggle to get people to run it.

Literary festivals in the UK in 2026

Oxford Literary Festival – 21-29th March 2026. Held in colleges and historic venues across the city centre.

The Bath Festival – no date released yet. Get to see the city through the gorgeous historic venues.

Hay festival – 21 May to 21 June 2026, not only the literature and arts festival, but also lots of bookshops to visit! Also Hay Festivals in Peru, Mexico, Spain and Colombia

Stoke Newington literary festival – 5-7th June 2026, website is broken (as of January) but try Stokey lit Festif needed.

Bradford Literature Festival – 3-12th July 2026 for the 10th anniversary year. Known for its inclusivity  

Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Harrogate 23-26th July 2026.

Edinburgh International Book Festival – 15-30th August 2026.

Bloody Scotland, Stirling – 18-20th September 2026. Crime writing festival with a fun side (it’s also in the past included a football match!)

Wigtown Book Festival, Scotland – 25 September to 4 October 2026. More than 30 family events, alongside the main programme, and YA sessions.  

North Cornwall Book festival – usually last weekend in September.  

Edinburgh Womens Fiction Festival – dates not yet released for 2026. Newer literary festival celebrating writing for, by, and about women.

Burford Literary festival – 3 day festival in the Cotswolds, 25-27 Sep 2026.

Noirwich Crime Writing Festival, Norwich – usually in September. A fast growing crime writing and reading festival, main venue University of East Anglia, with 1 day lectures.  

Henley literary festival – 2-11th October 2026. Over 100 talks, performances and conversations, many held online as well as in person. Pop up events also happening (some as soon as February).  

Birmingham Literature Festival – 28 September to 19 October 2025. Venues are Birmingham REP theatre, The Exchange on Centenary Square and the Roundhouse. There’s a number of walking events around the city.  

Guildford book festival – 4-18th October 2026.  

Cheltenham Literature Festival – Usually early to mid October (9-18th October in 2026).  

Black British book festival – events around the UK dates vary. Dates not announced for 2026 

Durham Book Festival – Usually in October. Takes place at Gala Durham, Clayport Library and Collected Books.  

Ilkley Literature festival – dates to be confirmed for October 2026 

Berwick literary festival – 5-11 October 2026

London Literature festival – 21st October to 1st November 2026. Usually Autumn at the Southbank centre,

Wimbledon Book Fest – 15 to 25 October 2026, held at Wimbledon High School, Wimbledon Library, and New Wimbledon Theatre.  

Stroud Book Festival – 4-8th November 2026.

Tring Book Festival – held in November. Venues across Tring and nearby area.

Words by the Water festival, Cumbria – brings together readers and writers, 11-15th March 2026

Children’s books festivals in the UK

Imagine Children’s Festival, Southbank London (February), includes theatre and other events by authors.

Oxford Literary Festival (March)

Essex book Festival (March) – uses a mix of venues, and options to participate in the Passport to Learning scheme, where stamps can be collected for attending events.

Shropshire bookfest (May) – only exclusively children’s literary festival in the UK

Hay Festival (May) – kids programme ‘Haydays’.

Barnes Children’s literature Festival (May). They also do outreach to state primary schools in London.

Chiddingstone Literary Festival (May) – more intimate setting, talks, theatre performances, workshops etc.

Pop up Festival (June)  – a national schools literature programme, with authors and illustrators going into schools, libraries, museums and galleries in England and Wales.

Edinburgh International Book Festival (August) – tented village in the middle of Edinburgh. The Children’s festival offers over 200 events.

Henley literature festival (September)

Bath Children’s literature festival (Sep-Oct) – largest dedicated kids literature festival in Europe.

Cheltenham Literature Festival (Oct) – programme for families and young readers

Appledore book festival (September/October) – 10 day event, including a schools week.

Ilkley literature children’s festival (October) – aimed at 3-12 year olds.

London Literature festival (October) – ties in with half term. As well as for younger children, there’s also a Young Adult programme.

Northern Children’s book festival (November) – 2 weeks of book based activities across the north east region.

Are there any other literary festivals around the world I should add to my list, or others in the UK?