Book festivals coming up
Looking for a way to take your love of books to the next level? Why not try a more immersive reading experience this year, with one of these popular literature festivals taking place in Surrey & SW London?
Whether or not you’re an avid reader, literature festivals are a recent trend that you’re going to want to get involved in. The widespread popularity and diversity of these festivals have rapidly grown in current years, with topics such as culture, politics, music and film alongside literature ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy.
1. Wimbledon BookFest
👉 A favourite among families and intellectuals 📆 12-22 October 2023
With opportunities of all kinds, ranging from volunteering to sitting in on talks from famous speakers, Wimbledon BookFest has something to offer for people of all ages and interests. Presentations and talks vary from puppet shows for families and children, such as Five Little Monkeys, to talk on Margaret Thatcher by Charles Moore and another from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.
This book festival also attracts film-lovers and makers with the Wimbledon International Short Film Festival now in its eleventh year. With entries from all over the world with some going on to win BAFTAs, it’s not an event to miss out on. See the full list of events here.
2. Guildford Book Festival
👉 A high-end celebration of literature 📆 1-18 October 2023
With the acclaimed children’s author Michael Rosen and respected actor Timothy West, among others, as patrons, Guildford’s Book Festival is recognised as one of Britain’s most popular literary celebrations. Running from 6- 13 Oct, this event will feature a range of talks from speakers with varying backgrounds and specialities.
This year you can enjoy a ‘Literary Lunch’ with Deborah Moggach, the author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and Nickolas Coleridge, publisher of 130 magazines worldwide such as Vogue and Vanity Fair. Other speakers include the author of Captain Corelli and Beyond, Louis de Bernières, as well as wildlife expert Steve Backshall on his recent publication Expedition. This sophisticated festival provides a relaxed but fruitful atmosphere and promises not to disappoint.
3. Farnham Literary Festival
👉 For families and immersion 📆 1-10 March 2024
The Farnham Literary Festival is returning next March following the success of this year's event. With its diverse programme of events involving poetry, illustrators, academics, and performers alongside its literary celebrations, this festival devises an engaging revere of the arts that is captivating and educational for all audiences. Panel discussions and author talks ignite inquisitive minds, and their writing workshops and poetry competition offer a platform to put that creative curiosity on paper. The festival is dedicated to promoting community spirit; not only do they incorporate local groups and charities into the programme, this year's event included author visits to local schools which proved a rewarding experience for both writers and audiences. Dame Jaqueline Wilson commented:
"All the feedback we have had has been entirely positive. We have been in the schools today for their assemblies: the children and the staff are still buzzing about Sunday afternoon."
5. Chobham Festival
👉 For families and poetic romantics 📆 7-21 October 2023
Whilst Chobham Festival is not exclusively a literary celebration, if you are a poetry lover then this is for you. Amidst the music, arts and crafts, and puppet show events, Chobham Festival is holding a poetry evening on the 19 October. The 'well-loved' poems include the works of Shakespeare, John Betjeman and Dylan Thomas, among many others. This event is free to attend (although booking is required), and there will be a donation collection for the Woking and Sam Beare Hospice on the evening.
5. Barnes Children's Literature Festival
@BarnesKidsLitFest
👉 For families and fun-lovers 📆22-23 June 2024
This festival is the largest literature festival solely dedicated to children in London, and 2020 will be its sixth year of running. The organisers of this event aim to inspire children and encourage them to unleash their imagination through the magic of literature, and invite big names each year as well as hosting marvellous children's shows. Past visitors have reported having a fantastic experience at the festival, getting to meet some of their favourite authors and listening to engaging stories. The line-up for 2020 has not yet been confirmed, but the previous festival saw appearances from the likes of Lauren Child (Charlie and Lola), Caroline Lawrence (The Roman Mysteries), and David Almond (Skellig).
