Audiences flocked to join in the celebrations this May as Huddersfield Literature Festival marked the major milestone of its 20th birthday.
Launching with Festival Patron Lemn Sissay and closing with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, the Festival programme included Ardal O’Hanlon, Val McDermid, Joanne Harris, Vince Cable and Arts Council Chief Executive Darren Henley, as well as celebrations of Sikh heritage and Ukrainian history in the town.
There were opportunities for local and emerging writers and poets to hone and showcase their craft at workshops, open mics and the Festival’s popular Poetry Slam, and visits from Elmer the Elephant and Spider-Man to keep the kids entertained.
The Festival’s Schools Programme brought workshops, assemblies and resources to schools across Kirklees, with a pilot Reading Squad project launched at Crow Lane Primary School, inspired by the National Year of Reading 2026.
The Festival will next year ‘come of age’ as it celebrates reaching 21, so block out your calendars for mid-May 2027.
There will also be a day of events at the new Huddersfield Library in October, so sign up to the Festival newsletter to be among the first to hear about forthcoming events: https://www.huddlitfest.org.uk/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/
If you run a local business, why not sponsor a Festival event, simply send your details to info@huddlitfest.org.uk to find out more.