Cheltenham Literature Festival celebrates its 75th year this October 2024, with a stellar line-up spanning celebrities and Hollywood stars to bestselling authors and prize-winning poets.
This year, over 25 per cent of the events taking place are free to attend, from the infamous Lit Crawl and the diverse VOICEBOX programme, to free family events and a brand-new addition to the festival village, The Snug.
SoGlos rounds up just some of the highlights...
Free events at Cheltenham Literature Festival
Brand-new venue, The Snug, has everything from colouring workshops to quizzes and post-event debates; while The Huddle is hosting an array of events including a poetry showcase from Cheltenham Poetry Festival; live music from Gloucestershire Battle of the Bands winners Saint Senara, British-Nigerian artist Muna Moné and Stroud favourite Pebble Daisy; and local authors The AnonyMums reading from their as yet unpublished cosy crime series.
There are daily wine tastings at Headline Bar's Wine Hour, hosted by Sunday Times columnist Will Lyons; BBC Radio 4 books quiz host, James Walton, brings back his infamous Big Book Quiz; 'literary explorer in residence' Ann Morgan shares her favourite global reads; Japan expert, Lesley Downer, shares a short history of Japan spanning mythology to pop culture; and Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees and Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers share traditional stories from around the world.
While at VOICEBOX, festivalgoers can listen to outspoken Labour MP Jess Phillips talk about the role of language in preventing male violence; attend a #Merky Books proof party; watch award-winning comedian Daniel Foxx perform his famous 'bedtime stories for the fabulously wealthy'; and catch Gloucestershire journalist and broadcaster, Jack Shute, tackling LGBTQ+ issues with the Queer Takeover.
Lit Crawl at Cheltenham Literature Festival
The popular Lit Crawl is back on Saturday 5 October 2024, with exciting pop-up events taking place at venues across town from The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum to The Beefy Boys. See Roundhouse Poetry Slam winner, Bradley Taylor, performing spoken word and creating bespoke poetry; take a deep dive into Greek mythology with Sally Pomme Clayton; and marking 175 years since the untimely death of American literary icon, Edgar Allen Poe, award-winning Cheltenham theatre company, Moth Sanctuary Productions, celebrates his life and work with a gothic cabaret.
Free family events at Cheltenham Literature Festival
The Wild Wood at the festival village gives little ones a chance to meet book characters like Elmer, the Gruffalo and Supertato, as well as playing games with Sharky and George; Story Shack is hosting live draw-alongs, musical mash ups and appearances from pantomime dames; the Waterstones Children's Bookshop gives kids the chance to meet their favourite authors at short story sessions throughout the festival; while Cheltenham Paint Festival brings books to life with a series of live painting sessions reimagining book covers for everything from Oi Dinosaurs! to War of the Worlds.
When is Cheltenham Literature Festival?
Cheltenham Literature Festival takes over Montpellier Gardens from Friday 4 to Sunday 13 October 2024.
The Lit Crawl takes place at venues across Cheltenham on the evening of Saturday 5 October 2024.
When do tickets go on sale for Cheltenham Literature Festival 2024?
Tickets for Cheltenham Literature Festival are on general sale from Thursday 5 September 2024.
For more information, see Cheltenham Literature Festival on SoGlos.
