With hundreds of literature festivals taking place every year in the UK, where on earth do you start? Panic not! This guide will give you a taste of some of the festivals on offer.
For those who love big, exciting, culture-filled events: Edinburgh International Book Festival
What better place to start this list than in one of the most famous literary cities (and not to mention, the home of The Student) – Edinburgh International Book Festival takes place every August, coinciding with the Fringe in an explosion of literary and artistic culture. As one of the largest festivals in the UK, it has been graced by big names such as Margaret Atwood, Val McDermid, and Toni Morrison. It’s an unmissable event for those who like the excitement and atmosphere of the UK’s best festival city.
For those who love quirky bookshops and countryside villages: Hay Festival
Every Spring, the little Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye is swarmed with literary culture at the annual Hay Festival. It’s not only the big names, like Stephen Fry and David Walliams, which attract people to this picturesque corner of the Welsh countryside: this little town also boasts dozens of second-hand bookshops and has even been dubbed “the first bookshop town in the world.”
For those who love LGBTQ+ fiction: The Coast is Queer
Hosted in the colourful coastal city of Brighton, The Coast is Queer celebrates queer readers and writers, and openly welcomes allies. Established in 2019, The Coast is Queer is the first LGBTQ+ literature festival in the UK, and paves the way for inclusivity in the world of book festivals. With everything from zine-making workshops to poetic nature walks, The Coast is Queer is at the forefront of the queer literary scene in the UK.
For those who love the Yorkshire moors (and, of course, the Brontës): Ilkley Literature Festival
This list wouldn’t be complete without a festival from close to my hometown. Ilkley Literature Festival takes place every October, nestled in the Yorkshire moors. This festival is the oldest on this list, having celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2023. Over the course of half a century, Ilkley has welcomed the likes of Carol Ann Duffy, Jeannette Winterson, and even Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke. Surrounded by the moors that inspired the Brontës’ works, Ilkley and the surrounding area is steeped in literary culture. The nearby Bradford Literature Festival and Brontë Festival should also not be missed.
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