Chester Literature Festival
12 May – 14 June 2026
Chester Literature Festival is back this spring!
Our annual celebration of books, poetry and storytelling fills Storyhouse with talks, performances, workshops and more in May and June.
With headline appearances from much-loved voices including Maggie O’Farrell, Lenny Henry, Celia Imrie and Hamza Yassin, the festival invites audiences to explore the power and joy of reading and libraries.
There’s no better time to celebrate reading, as 2026 marks the National Year of Reading.
A growing body of UK research highlights the real-world benefits of reading: just six minutes can reduce stress by up to 68%, and 74% of adults report a positive impact on their mental health from regular reading.
In a year dedicated nationwide to encouraging reading for pleasure, wellbeing and connection, Chester Literature Festival offers a timely reminder of how stories can help us unwind, feel connected and find space for reflection — and how reading can support and sustain us in everyday life.
Chester Literature Festival 2026 is proudly supported by the Tony Lawrence Learning Trust.
2026 Festival Highlights:
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall- High Fibre Heroes
Lenny Henry: Still At Large
Hamza Yassin: My Life Behind the Lens
Living History with Ruth Goodman
An Afternoon with Celia Imrie and Fidelis Morgan
An Evening with Maggie O'Farrell
Susie Dent: Word Perfect
Regina with Kate Williams
Keith Brymer Jones and Marj Hogarth: Us, Pots and A Welsh Chapel
Mrs Dalloway: a dazzling theatre adaptation of the literary masterpiece
Mrs Dalloway fuses theatre, live music and film into a dazzling theatrical feast.
This immersive adaptation brings Woolf’s radical novel roaring into the now. Over the course of one extraordinary day, lives intertwine. Memory, identity and loss collide and at the centre stands Clarissa Dalloway; vivacious, complex, unforgettable.
Funny and moving, Mrs Dalloway is a vibrant celebration of life, love, survival, and the moments that make us who we are.
All 2026 Chester Literature Festival events:
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall- High Fibre Heroes
In Conversation with Corinne Bailey Rae
Lenny Henry: Still At Large
Andrea McLean: Shameless
Hamza Yassin: My Life Behind the Lens
Living History with Ruth Goodman
An Afternoon with Celia Imrie and Fidelis Morgan
Pride & Prejudice....But Funny
Nigel Planer - Young Once
Storyhouse Spoken Word Open Mic Night
Crime and Thriller Panel
How to Write a Book Workshop
How to Get Published Workshop
Chris Fozzard: Old News-Tragedy and Comedy in the Early Chester Press
Chester Humanists: Desert Island Books
An Evening with Maggie O'Farrell
Susie Dent: Word Perfect
Regina with Kate Williams
Keith Brymer Jones and Marj Hogarth: Us, Pots and A Welsh Chapel
Join us for books, poems, talks, events, workshops, performances, activities…
Words can appear in many different forms, and so our literature festival is never just one thing. Each year we celebrate all things written, spoken, sung and signed with a programme spanning right across different genres, formats and art forms.
From book talks and poetry performances, to workshops and activities, there’s plenty to explore across the festival when it takes over our building.
Words are at the heart of what we do…and at the heart of our building too!
At the heart of the festival is Storyhouse Library — a welcoming, free-to-access space open from 8am to 11pm every day, designed to be used by everyone. The library is more than just a place to borrow – it’s a calm and creative environment to browse, discuss and read books.
Inside our building, the walls are adorned with poetry, and our library bookshelves wind their way across three floors. No matter who you are or what you’re interested in, the library has something to offer everyone and is always completely free to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chester Literature Festival is one of the longest-running annual literature events in the country.
It was launched in 1989 by the volunteer organisation Chester Arts 89 and city booksellers who programmed a week of literary activity including a reading by the niece of novelist D H Lawrence.
This is the 14th year that the festival has been programmed by Storyhouse, and along with visiting names, special artists in residence have included the late Benjamin Zephaniah, Lemn Sissay, Imtiaz Dharker and Ted Hughes Prize-winner Hollie McNish.
No. Each event at the literature festival will need to be booked individually – free events may also require you to book a seat as our capacity can be limited.
Chester Literature Festival is programmed by Storyhouse and takes place throughout the building, and sometimes across the city.
All of our theatre and event spaces can host events during the festival – check each individual event to find out where it will take place.
If you’re already a Storyhouse Card Member, simply make sure you’re logged into your account before booking your tickets.
If you’d like to become a member – click here and sign up for £4.99 a month and you’ll be able to access exclusive priority booking, discounted tickets, no booking fees and more.
Don’t worry – if you still have a question about Chester Literature Festival or any of the events taking place, click here and submit your query using the form provided.
Alternatively, you can call our ticketing team Mon-Sat 11am-7pm on 01244 409 113 or you can drop us a message on Facebook.
