Book Festivals Not to Miss this Autumn 2026
Book Festivals Not to Miss this Autumn 2026
Don’t miss these local book festivals packed with the best literary and cultural talks and events
Image: Elif Shafak (c) Ferhat Elik
Barnes BookFest
25 – 27 September
This year’s Barnes Bookfest is packed with an exciting line-up of literary events. Michael Whitehall joins theatre icon Patricia Hodge to entertain with stories of agents and actors at a special dinner event at Home SW13 on Thursday 24 September, 6.30pm. New author Rukky Brume joins Barnes BookFest New Voices with Meena Alexander and Leodora Darlington on Sunday 27 September, 4pm at Barnes Green Centre. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner interviews author Robert Verkaik about The Writer and The Traitor on Sunday 27 September, 6pm at St Mary’s Barnes.
Guildford Book Festival
3 – 18 October
Taking place in venues across Guildford, highlights of this year’s programme include: novelist Sebastian Faulks discussing his latest book, Farewell to Eden; Mary Portas OBE to talk about her revolutionary retail years; renowned actor, comedian and author Caroline Quentin sharing how she has found calm in nature with gardening writer Kate Bradbury; scientist and BBC presenter Jim Al-Khalili exploring whether time is an illusion, and renowned novelist Elif Shafak in a special event ahead of the publication of her latest book, In One Brief Moment All Eternity.
Clapham Book Festival
17 October
It’s a very special year for Clapham Book Festival this year, as it’s their 10th anniversary! To celebrate they’re going all out with a programme featuring their traditional literary walk through Clapham; a talk on crime fiction with Vaseem Khan, Abir Mukherjee and Julie Anderson; the prize presentation of the first Penelope McNeile Writing Competition; a history talk with Elizabeth Buchan and Anne Sebba; and Gordon Corera in conversation with Adam Raphael.
Wimbledon BookFest
15 – 25 October
Always an autumn highlight, Wimbledon Bookfest is back with a stellar planned programme. Speakers this year include Celia Imrie, Julian Clary, Elif Shafak, Ben Okri, Maggie O’Farrell, Marina Hyde, Victoria Hislop, and many more. There’s still tickets left for many of the events so get booking!
