The Festivals

Ilkley Literature Festival has been bringing together the very best writers of contemporary fiction, non-fiction and poetry with book-loving audiences for over 50 years. Every autumn, we are joined by 14,000 readers and 100+ writers in creating conversations, tackling tricky topics and encouraging exploration.

Discover new writers, encounter new ideas and enjoy a very warm Yorkshire welcome!

The Agatha Christie Festival is an annual literary festival celebrating the life and works of Agatha Christie, held in Torquay and the neighbouring towns of Paignton and Brixham. Events are also held in the wider area and places associated with her life and works, including Burgh Island and Dartmoor.

The Festival comprises a five-day Fringe Festival, followed by a four-day Literary Festival, featuring high-profile speakers and performances alongside fun, quirky, and literary-themed events in unusual locations.

In recent years, the Fringe Festival has included events on boats, steam trains, underground at Kents Cavern, and at Paignton Zoo. Events are hosted in locations connected to Agatha Christie’s life or her works, including the Imperial Hotel, Royal Torbay Yacht Club, All Saints Church, Dartmouth Steam Railway, the Grand Hotel, Greenway, and Paignton Picture House. Events also take places along the Agatha Christie Mile, which was created to tell the story of the author’s remarkable early life in the town.

The Literary Festival is currently based at the Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey, with additional events held in the surrounding grounds. The programme includes expert speakers and leading authors exploring Christie’s life and legacy, as well as the wider world of crime fiction. Recent speakers have included Anthony Horowitz, Lucy Foley, Kate Mosse, Lucy Worsley, Lynda La Plante, Val McDermid, Robert Thorogood, Sophie Hannah, Ruth Ware, and Ann Cleeves.

The Festival is organised by Agatha Christie Festival Ltd, a non-profit charity supported by volunteers from the local community. Funds raised through the Festival support projects that promote literacy and a love of reading among young people across Torbay and Devon.

Founded in 2006, Islay Book Festival grew out of a small book club in the village of Port Ellen into the thriving, volunteer-run event we know today. Set against the stunning backdrop of Scotland’s whisky isle, we are now firmly established within Islay’s busy annual events calendar and Argyll’s wider cultural scene.

While many of our main events may include a wee dram or two, it’s not always about the whisky! We offer sessions on crime, historical and contemporary fiction, a range of non-fiction and island themes, new writing, children’s events, school visits, poetry, performances, workshops, and lots more.Providing a platform for Islay’s Gaelic culture is also a key goal of the festival, and every year we send authors to each of the schools across Islay and Jura.

The Isle of Wight Literary Festival, an established event on the UK Arts calendar, held its first festival in 2012. The festival provides a far reaching eclectic programme designed to attract a wide audience and increase the cultural richness of the Isle of Wight.

During Covid restrictions, the festival hosted a free digital festival. This year a combination live and digital festival is being planned. Hosted at Northwood House, Cowes over three days writers and presenters will share their latest works.  Topics includes crime fiction, history, travel, maritime adventure, gardening, medicine, technology and the social and political issues of our time.  From first time novelists to seasoned historians – speakers passionate about their subject will share insights and information.

The iconic annual Jaipur Literature Festival, held each year in the fabled Pink City of Jaipur, is the grand dame of international literary festivals. JLF International carries the Festival’s arc, sparkle and spirit across continents: an inspiring literary series spanning America, Britain, and continental Europe.

JLF came to Belfast in 2019, an encounter of rich literary traditions from Northern Ireland and across the world, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. This year, from 22- 31 May, JLF returns to Ireland for one of its most ambitious projects yet: JLF Island of Ireland, a cross-border literary festival supported by the Government of Ireland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

JLF London at the British Library will be back this year - from 5th - 7th June, 2026, marking its 13th edition, with an exciting line-up of speakers and sessions.

Like each year, it will embody the multi-faceted spirit of the mother festival - the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, with its unique celebration of books and ideas, inclusiveness and sense of community - and be back at the heart of London with a caravan of writers and thinkers, poets, balladeers and raconteurs. Like all JLF international editions, the London programme too brings alive South Asia’s unique multilingual literary heritage and blends it with local literary highlights.

The Jane Austen Festival in Bath is the largest and longest running Jane Austen Festival in the world. The first Jane Austen Festival in 2001 took place over a weekend at The Jane Austen Centre, Bath, and has since grown into a 10 day programme, drawing over 3500 people from around the world.

The festival begins with our Regency Costumed Promenade, which has been filling the streets of Bath with over 1000 people in Regency dress since 2004 and holds the Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest gathering of people dressed in Regency costumes’. Full of bonnets, soldiers, and drummers the backdrop of Georgian Bath transports visitors back to the time of Jane Austen.

Throughout the 10 day festival, we welcome visitors to enjoy events inspired by the timeless works of Jane Austen including: guided walks, costumed balls, theatrical performances, talks and much more!

The Jersey Festival of Words is the island’s annual celebration of the power of language, literature, and storytelling.

Founded in 2015, the festival brings together a vibrant mix of acclaimed authors, emerging voices, poets, performers, and readers of all ages for a week of inspiring events. With a strong focus on community engagement, education, and accessibility, we aim to spark imagination, foster dialogue, and share the joy of words across Jersey and beyond.

Whether you’re a lifelong book lover or a curious newcomer, the festival offers something for everyone.

Jewish Book Week is London’s longest running literary festival, attracting a pantheon of award-winning authors and thinkers every year for an exciting programme of debates, talks, and performances at Kings Place, London and online.

The weekend will be packed full as we celebrate adventure, nature, the environment and exploration. Expect 200+ live sessions, 300+ speakers, 150+ films and 60+ activities.

Plus, our Basecamp village will host loads of outdoor brands, charities and stages to host over 70 free talks.

The Small Festival with a Big Heart!

We're a very friendly, sociable festival – we will give you a warm welcome!

The Lavenham Literary Festival is an organisation run entirely by volunteers which celebrates the joy of reading and encourages a love of the written and spoken word. It has been running since 2009 and has grown into a highly regarded biennial event, with the popular Lavenham Literary Festival Dinner taking place annually.

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It brings together well regarded authors to introduce their work, in a friendly and relaxed environment in various venues around Lavenham, with the village hall being the main stage.

Ledbury Poetry Festival is an inclusive, international and inspirational celebration of poetry and spoken word over ten fabulously busy days, live in Ledbury and online to the world.

Surrounded by orchards and hills, poets from all over the world gather to read, debate and share their work with readers and curious audiences. Award-winning poets stand alongside upcoming talents in a thrillingly electric mix of events and workshops, music, exhibitions and bike rides. It’s all yours in #ledburypoetrytown. Dig deep into interesting ideas, take in poetry over a pint, craft your own writing style, or showcase your skills in the slam.

Leeds Lit Fest is back! Returning for its eighth year, the city’s award-winning festival of words and thought will take place across a diverse range of the city’s spaces and aims to bring together, and help develop, the city’s literary scene, with writers, poets and performers from the UK and beyond.

Join us for more than 50 events as writers, poets and performers come together across the city's thriving literary scene. From though-provoking talks to hands-on workshops and live performances, Leeds Lit Fest is your invitation to discover, create and connect.

The Suffolk coast has always inspired creativity and innovation. The Leiston Book Festival brings together inspiring writers and enthusiastic readers, for a day of exploration, debate and discovery.

Each author on our programme has written from a different perspective about our changing landscape. Together they form a day-long programme that will inform, inspire and perhaps encourage you to see the world a little differently.

“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book!” Dr. Seuss

Hear leading voices from politics, history, journalism and culture. Three days of lively debate and great conversation in the heart of Lewes. An exciting chance to meet the thinkers shaping our world.

Founded in 1981, Lichfield Festival continues to be one of the Midlands’ most vibrant and inclusive celebrations of the arts. Each summer, our 11-day multi-arts festival transforms the historic cathedral city of Lichfield into a hub of creativity, presenting over 60 events that span mainstream, contemporary and classical genres. From comedy to classical music, folk to family workshops, our goal is simple: to ensure arts for all.

The Festival has now evolved into a year-round cultural programme that inspires, connects and delights audiences across Staffordshire and beyond. Alongside the flagship Summer Festival, we now present Lichfield Literature Festival; a four-day celebration each March exploring new ideas with 20+ critically-acclaimed writers and debut authors, an Autumnal Chamber Music Weekend; a return to our classical roots with four days of sublime music in intimate venues, and a festive Christmas concert in Lichfield Cathedral in early December.

Lincoln Book Festival connects audiences of all ages and interests with some of the UK’s best-loved writers. Events include intimate talks, readings, panel discussions, workshops and Q&As with acclaimed authors, journalists, academics, cultural commentators and public figures. This is complemented by a varied programme of events for fans of different literary genres and formats, including family-friendly activities.