Calling all book lovers: there’s plenty to be excited about on the literary calendar. Here are the literary festivals not to miss in 2024.

UK’s Best Literary Festivals 2024

Hay Festival

Hay Festival is an annual literary festival and festival of ideas, drawing readers and writers together to inspire, examine and entertain. Situated in the little town of Hay-on-Wye on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, the annual festival has brought bookish fame to the area, which is also home to plenty of secondhand and antiquarian bookshops. Expect to hear from world renowned and early career writers across fiction and non-fiction alongside policy makers, pioneers and innovators exploring global issues and big ideas across eight stages. There are also school days and family events and, come nightfall, the festival makes way for music, comedy and entertainment.

Details: Hay Festival will take place from 23 May–2 June 2024 in Hay-on-Wye. You don’t need a ticket to enter the vibrant site, but tickets for specific talks and panels should be booked in advance. hayfestival.com

Guide to the Hay Festival 2023

Cambridge Literary Festival

Cambridge Literary Festival will once again host the best writers, thinkers and speakers in the famed university town (and its beautiful historic venues) next spring. Previous speakers have spanned the arts, from Theresa May to Grace Dent, Sebastian Faulks to Lemn Sissay, Rick Stein to Afua Hirsch & Elif Shafak. Already confirmed for 2024 are Armistead Maupin, Caroline Lucas, George The Poet, Christian Lewis and Jackie Kay, with more to be announced soon. Alongside household names, debut and emerging writers of fiction and poetry will be showcasing their wares to entertain, inspire and shine a light on pressing current issues.

Details: 17–21 April 2024 at venues across Cambridge. Priority booking opens 1 February, and general sale opens 8 February. cambridgeliteraryfestival.com

Cliveden Literary Festival

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 – is a historic literary festival not to be missed. Last year, top speakers included Zadie Smith, Tom Holland, Mary Beard and Maggie O’Farrell – but incredible writers fill the lineup every year.

Details: 21–22 September 2024 at Cliveden House (Taplow, Berkshire SL6 0JF). clivedenliteraryfestival.org

Henley Literary Festival

Henley Literary Festival is a highlight in the literary festivals calendar every year, drawing a vast selection of big names to this pretty town. Visitors can expect a range of talks, panels and workshops with poets, authors and other literary figures – including, in 2023, former British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Details: 28 September–6 October 2024 across a series of fantastic venues including Phyllis Court and The Hibernia at Hobbs Boat Yard in Henley. henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk

Cheltenham Literature Festival

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 2023’s line up included Andi Osho, Elizabeth Day, Jaqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen and Judy Murray.

Details: TBC (likely October 2024) at select venues across Cheltenham. cheltenhamfestivals.com

Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair

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.

Details: 16–19 May 2024 at the Saatchi Gallery (Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, London SW3 4RY). firstslondon.com

Queen’s Reading Room Festival

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 a follow-up edition has been confirmed for 2024. Details are still TBC, so stay tuned for updates.

Details: 8 June 2024 at Hampton Court Palace (Hampton Court Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU). thequeensreadingroom.co.uk

London Literature Festival

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 included 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. Stay tuned for all the 2024 details.

Details: 23 October–3 November 2024 at the Southbank Centre (Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX). southbankcentre.co.uk

Bay Tales Live

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.

Details: 2 March 2024 in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear. baytales.com

Sherborne Travel-Writing Festival

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.

Details: April 2024 in Sherborne, Dorset. sherbornetravelwritingfestival.com

The Last Word Festival

Having celebrated 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. 

Details: TBC (likely June 2024) at The Roundhouse (Chalk Farm Road, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8EH). roundhouse.org.uk

Mayfair Times Literary Festival

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.

Details: TBC (likely June 2024) at venues across Mayfair, Marylebone, St James’s, Belgravia and Chelsea. mayfairtimes.co.uk

Bradford Literature Festival

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.

Details: 28 June–7 July 2024 in Bradford, West Yorkshire. bradfordlitfest.co.uk

Wealden Festival

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.

Details: TBC (likely June 2024) at Boldshaves Garden (Boldshaves Lane, Woodchurch, Ashford TN26 3RA). wealdenliteraryfestival.co.uk 

Petworth Festival

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. 2023 was just as jam-packed, and it’s time to get excited for the 2024 edition, with new summer dates confirmed.

Details: 10–27 July 2024 in venues across West Sussex. petworthfestival.org.uk

Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival

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, with Ruth Ware curating the programme.

Details: 18–21 July 2024 in Harrogate. harrogateinternationalfestivals.com

Marlborough LitFest

This year sponsored by Fermoie, Marlborough LitFest will return in 2024, championing new and upcoming writers alongside established names. Irish author Sebastian Barry was 2023’s Golding Speaker – but you’ll have to check back later to find out who is topping the bill for 2024. With a focus on encouraging a love of reading in children, expect author talks, competitions and fun for all the family.

Details: 26–29 September 2024 in Marlborough, Wiltshire. marlboroughlitfest.org

North Cornwall Book Festival

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.

Details: 27–29 September 2024 at St Endellion Church (St Endellion, Port Isaac PL29 3TP). ncornbookfest.org

Queen’s Park Book Festival

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.

Details: TBC (likely September 2024) in Queen’s Park, London. queensparkbookfestival.co.uk

Brontë Festival of Women’s Writing

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.

Details: TBC (likely September 2024) at the Brontë Parsonage Museum (Church Street, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8DR). bronte.org.uk

Ilkley Literature Festival

The 50th anniversary edition of the north’s oldest literary festival took place in October 2023 – and we can’t wait to see who’s on the bill for the 2024 edition. Launched by poet W. H. Auden in 1973, the 2023 Ilkley Literature Festival welcomed 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.

Details: Date TBC (likely October 2024). Venues across Ilkley. ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk

Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival

Previous speakers at this Harrogate literary festival 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, while the 2023 edition welcomed bestselling authors and celebrated speakers from Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Rosemary Shrager to Andy McNab and Gaby Roslin. Stay tuned for the 2024 details.

Details: October 2024 (specific dates TBC) in venues across Harrogate. harrogateinternationalfestivals.com

DESIblitz Literature Festival

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, but 2024 details are still TBC. Budding writer? A whole host of literary names also take to the stage to discuss their top tips for getting published.

Details: TBC (likely October 2024) at venues across Birmingham desiblitz.com

Bridport Literary Festival

We’re hopeful that Bridport’s annual literary festival will return in 2024, filling autumnal Dorset with bookish joy. Thousands of people flocked to the small town for the 2023 edition, with Clive Myrie and Alastair Campbell attracting crowds. Time to get excited for the 2024 editon, aka the 20th anniversary special.

Details: TBC (likely November 2024) in Bridport, Dorset. bridlit.com

What Happens At A Literary Festival?

A literary festival usually involves a variety of talks, panels and discussions celebrating the written word. As these bookish festivals have evolved over time, they’ve come to incorporate politics, comedy and science, the latter typically covering sustainability and the climate crisis. They typically take place on a large site, but often span multiple venues. Authors frequently host specific talks about their latest releases, with book signings a common occurrence, too. Some literary festivals are one-day affairs, but most stretch across a number of days or a weekend.

What Is The Best Literary Festival In The UK?

Hay Festival is widely regarded as the UK’s best literary festival thanks to its longstanding legacy, welcoming atmosphere, and ability to attract a roster of big names from the publishing industry and beyond. Before the festival’s inception, the small border town of Hay-on-Wye was already well-known for its impressive array of secondhand and antiquarian book shops, but the Hay Festival – which first occurred in 1988 – has cemented the town’s place as one of the literature capitals of the UK.

What Is The Oldest Literary Festival In The UK?

Cheltenham Literature Festival is the oldest literary festival in the UK, having first taken place in 1949. It was founded by George Wilkinson and John Moore, the latter of whom was an author and who served as the festival’s first director. The first instalment was launched by actor Ralph Richardson (who was born in Cheltenham) while famed poet Cecil Day-Lewis was one of the speakers.