If you like prefer festivals that focus on books, ideas and authors rather than music, beer and sleeping in a tent, these are the ones for you.
From boutique literary events to big-name bonanzas, here’s our round-up of the best book festivals happening in 2026...
1 Happy Place Festival
Curated by broadcaster and author Fearne Cotton, Happy Place Festival returns for its sixth year with a mix of wellness workshops, creativity sessions and thought-provoking talks. Authors appearing include Candice Carty-Williams, Matt Haig, Donna Ashworth and Susie Dent.
WHEN: 11-12 July (London) and 5-6 September (Cheshire)
WHERE: Old Deer Park, Richmond, London and Tatton Park, Cheshire
HOW: Happy Place Festival
What to read next
2 Love Stories Etc
The UK’s leading festival for lovers of romance novels is just two days long but packed with author panels, industry expert-led workshops (such as ‘How to boss Booktok’) and creative sessions. Authors include Rachel Hore, Libby Page, Jill Mansell, Matt Cain, Rosie Walsh and Jessica George.
WHEN: 17-18 July
WHERE: Manchester Central Library
HOW: Love Stories Etc
3 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
The biggest festival in the world for crime fiction fans takes place in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate. Hosted at the historic Old Swan Hotel – where Agatha Christie was found after her famous disappearance – there are loads of talks, panels and author dinners. Appearing this year are Richard Armitage, Denise Mina, Adam Kay, Abir Mukherjee, Val McDermid, Anthony Horowitz and US crime superstar David Baldacci. Ann Cleeves and Brenda Blethyn are also appearing in a special Vera-themed event.
WHEN: 23-26 July
WHERE: Harrogate, Yorkshire
HOW: Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
VIP GIVEAWAY: Win a Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival pass!
GH VIP Members have the chance to win a Rover Day Pass to Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival for 24 or 25 July. Enter online at ghmembers.co.uk by 11.59pm on 12 July.
4 Edinburgh International Book Festival
One of the world’s leading literary festivals, this 16-day event draws thousands to the Scottish capital every year for its wide-ranging talks. Among the many authors joining this year are Ann Patchett, Elif Shafak, Lyse Doucet, Matt Haig, Charlie Mackesy, Val McDermid, Douglas Stuart and Kiran Desai.
WHEN: 15-30 August
WHERE: Edinburgh
HOW: Edinburgh International Book Festival
5 The Queen’s Reading Room Festival
An offshoot of Queen Camilla’s book club, this royal festival moves to the grounds of stunning Chatsworth House. The big names speaking this year include Clare Balding, Harlan Coben, Lee Child, Cecelia Ahern, Meg Mason, Elif Shafak, Kate Atkinson and Reeta Chakrabarti.
WHEN: 19-20 September
WHERE: Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
HOW: The Queen’s Reading Room Festival
6 Chelsea Arts Festival
Stars from page, stage and screen will feature in an extensive programme of ticketed events, as well as an array of spectacular free outdoor performances in London’s Sloane Square and up and down the Kings Road. Authors involved include Bernardine Evaristo, Shaun Usher and Allie Esiri.
WHEN: 17-20 September
WHERE: Multiple venues across Chelsea, including the Royal Court Theatre, Saatchi Gallery and Cadogan Hall
7 Henley Literary Festival
This festival, held in beautiful Henley on the banks of the Thames, is a lovely way to spend a few days. Names announced so far for 2026 include Nigella Lawson, Julia Donaldson, Maggie O’Farrell, Dame Meera Syal and Caitlin Moran.
WHEN: 2-11 October
WHERE: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
VIP GIVEAWAY: Henley Literary Festival tickets!
GH VIP Members have the chance to win a £40 voucher for events tickets to Henley Literary Festival. Enter online at ghmembers.co.uk by 11.59pm on 28 July.
8 Cliveden Literary Festival
Set amid 400 acres of greenery, with gardens trailing down to the Thames, Cliveden Literary Festival is celebrating its 10th year. No speakers have been announced yet but in 2025, the line-up featured the likes of Ian Rankin, Sir Salman Rushdie Richard E Grant and Jung Chang.
WHEN: 10-11 October
WHERE: Cliveden House, Berkshire
HOW: Cliveden Literary Festival
9 Wimbledon Bookfest
Set in a leafy suburb of south-west London, this festival takes place twice a year (there are events in the spring, too). Authors appearing this autumn include Caitlin Moran, Craig Revel Horwood, Matt Haig, Elif Shafak, Maggie O’Farrell and Dame Meera Syal.
WHEN: 15-25 October
WHERE: Wimbledon, London
HOW: Wimbledon Bookfest
10 Good Housekeeping Live
GH Live is back! We’ve once again teamed up with sister title Country Living so, as well as workshops, talks and demos, you can shop for gifts and treats at more than 100 artisan stalls. Big names include Greg Wise, Mel Giedroyc, Elizabeth Day, Trinny Woodall, Stephen Mangan and Philippa Perry.
WHEN: 11-14 November
WHERE: Business Design Centre, London
