The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival is turning 75 this October 2024 — and it's celebrating with a spectacular line-up that spans acting royalty to one of the world's most famous journalists.
The festival is hosting over 400 events across its 10-day programme, transforming Cheltenham's Montpellier Gardens into a vibrant festival village full of bestselling authors and broadcasters, alongside the most exciting new voices in fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Exclusive for 2024, there are two new venues — The Snug and The Hush — which will host book clubs, arts and crafts and lively post-event debates; dining experiences at rooftop restaurant The Nook on Five; with fringe events taking place at Dunkertons taproom in Charlton Kings, too.
The free programme also makes a welcome return, with 25 per cent of this year's events costing nothing to attend — including the famous Lit Crawl, the VOICEBOX stage and plenty of family fun at The Wild Wood.
To mark its milestone year, the festival is exploring some of the most famous works of literature published since 1949 — including George Orwell's iconic 1984 — looking at how society and technology has changed, as well as looking to the future.
And here's who's on the line-up...
Who is appearing at Cheltenham Literature Festival 2024?
The star-studded 75th year line-up features a host of famous names, with national treasures Celia Imrie, Dame Judi Dench, Miriam Margolyes and Trevor McDonald among them.
Other stars include Fearne Cotton, Richard Ayoade, Lorraine Kelly, Julian Clary, Michael Palin, Carol Vorderman, GBBO judge Prue Leith, Miranda Hart, Caroline Quentin and even First Dates' Fred Sirieix.
Music lovers have the chance to see Geri Halliwell, Rick Astley, Neneh Cherry, Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp, and Russell Watson; sports fans won't want to miss seeing 1966 World Cup legend Geoff Hurst; and foodies can indulge in afternoon tea with famous food critic Tom Parker Bowles.
Just some of the bestselling and award-winning authors in attendance this year include Nick Hornby, Jodi Picoult, Richard Osman, Rebecca F. Kuang, Asako Yuzuki and Bryony Gordon; while poets and spoken word artists include T.S. Eliot Prize-winner and guest curator, Joelle Taylor; Poet Laureate Simon Armitage; Salena Godden; Hollie McNish; and the much-loved Pam Ayres.
When is Cheltenham Literature Festival 2024?
Cheltenham Literature Festival takes place from Friday 4 to Sunday 13 October, with the Lit Crawl taking place on the evening of Saturday 5 October 2024.
When do tickets go on sale for Cheltenham Literature Festival 2024?
Tickets for Cheltenham Literature Festival go on sale to Cheltenham Festivals members on Thursday 29 August and to the public on Thursday 5 September 2024.
For more information, see Cheltenham Literature Festival on SoGlos.
