Barnsley Book Festival
Barnsley Book Festival
Barnsley Book Festival is returning for its third year! Get ready for a three-week-long celebration of reading, creativity, and storytelling for the whole community. There’s so much to look forward to in a programme full of exciting talks, workshops, and special appearances.
- Follow the festival on Facebook
- Watch last year's highlights
- Get notified when the programme goes live
Saturday 14 February to Saturday 7 March 2026
Taking place during the National Year of Reading, next year’s festival will once again feature an inspiring programme of authors, poets, writers, and artists. We’ll be releasing the full line-up soon – whether you’re a lifelong reader, a family looking for half-term activities, or simply curious about books and storytelling, there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy.
Festival highlights
There’s so much to look forward to, and we're putting together a programme full of brilliant talks, workshops, activities and more, with highlights including:
- Family favourites Lydia Monks and Abie Longstaff, international best-selling children’s authors and illustrators, who’ll be leading workshops and book signings during February half-term.
- Greg Jenner, acclaimed historian, author and comedian (Horrible Histories, You’re Dead to Me podcast), who’ll be holding an event not to be missed for adults at Barnsley Civic.
- Insightful talks from local historian Brian Elliot and Barnsley-born Egyptologist Professor Joann Fletcher.
- The return of LiveWire, offering an evening of powerful spoken word performances.
Getting to Barnsley
Parking in Barnsley
Disabled and accessibility