The Warmest of Welcomes to Henley Literary Festival
We are one of the UK’s leading literary festivals and we return in-person in Henley-on-Thames and online wherever you are from September 28 to 6 October 2024. Plus we have a line up of exciting pop-up events throughout the year.
The countdown is on until the Henley Literary Festival returns this autumn, with the authors of some of the most beloved books of this century appearing alongside icons of athletics, dance, film and fashion.
The 18th annual Festival will host over 100 conversations, talks, performances and workshops for adults and children from September 28 to October 6.
Michael Palin returns for the first time since a 2012 sell-out with the latest volume of his diaries, while Channel 4 and BBC news veteran Zeinab Badawi makes her Festival debut with An African History of Africa. Two of the country’s best-loved poets are on the line-up in Roger McGough and Pam Ayres.
Festival favourite Gyles Brandreth, BAFTA-winning comedian Danny Wallace, gardening expert Sarah Raven, Strictly judge Anton du Beke and bestselling military historian Damien Lewis will all be appearing at the Festival. As ever the Festival contains a strong local contingent, including journalist Helen Chandler-Wilde with her memoir Lost & Found and The Greatest American Football Story That Has Never Been Told author Anthony Wootton.
Events for children will include Supertato creator Sue Hendra, alongside Julia Donaldson, Gwen Millward, Rob Biddulph, Kes Gray and Jonnie Peacock.
Other speakers already confirmed for the Festival include David Nicholls, Elif Shafak, Rupert Everett, Jonnie Peacock, Lynda La Plante, Iwan Thomas, Laura Dockrill and Dame Zandra Rhodes among many others.
Join & Support
Your support makes a difference!
Each and every year we aim to deliver the best possible Festival we can and so every penny we raise goes straight into our growth fund, ensuring we build, develop and host the best that the literary world has to offer. Here are some ways you can help.
