JOIN US IN MAY TO CELEBRATE OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY!

We’re so excited to be celebrating a special milestone this year. 

HuddLitFest was founded in 2006 and we’ve come a long way since then. Join us this year from 6-17 May 2026 for a fabulous anniversary programme.

About the Festival
HuddLitFest is an award-winning Festival taking place annually in May, with community, accessibility and inclusivity at its heart. Join us in venues and online for a celebration of books and authors, poetry and performance – and much more. Meet your favourite authors, discover new talent and hone your own skills. Many free or low-cost events, including some hybrid and online events and some with live subtitling by Stagetext.

Winner of the Accessible and Inclusive award
at the 2022 Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards.

 

Download our 2026 brochure Buy a gift voucher – the perfect present!

An Evening with Lemn Sissay

Inspirational poet and Festival Patron Lemn Sissay OBE returns with a life-affirming and electrifying performance of his work.     In the…
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Val McDermid – Silent Bones

Bestselling crime writer Val McDermid has sold over 19 million books worldwide, with TV adaptations of her novels including Wire in the Blood and Karen Pirie (both ITV). Val will be chatting to Helen Scott about her latest Karen Pirie novel Silent Bones.  
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An Evening with Ardal O’Hanlon

Star of Father Ted, Death in Paradise and Derry Girls, Ardal O’Hanlon is a much-loved actor, stand-up comedian and bestselling novelist. Join us for an entertaining…
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Polari: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Writing Talent

Enjoy entertaining, heartwarming and thought-provoking performances from a diverse and talented line-up of LGBTQ+ writers.     Hosted by bestselling author and journalist Paul Burston,…
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Simon Armitage

Simon Armitage

Your chance to hear performance poetry, insights and stories from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage in his home town.     Simon will read from several…
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Stu Hennigan – Keshed

Yorkshire writer, poet and musician Stu Hennigan talks about his dark, complex, and visceral debut novel Keshed, an unflinching…
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Accessibility at HuddLitFest

View our venue Access Guides for detailed information. If you have specific access needs, please contact [email protected] with your request. For information on Accessibility, Diversity & Representation at our Festival, visit our About Us page. Our commitment to accessibility is reflected in our digital offer, with live online events on Zoom and recorded events and storytelling on our YouTube channel.

Access Guides

Find your way around the Festival

Find your way around Huddersfield during the festival with our handy map.

MAP

Support us with Ko-Fi

You can now support us for the price it would cost for a cup of coffee.

Ko-fi is our new way to ask you for support. Coffee’s just a metaphor (You don’t have to buy actual coffee!).

Donate as a one off or a regular monthly payment.

Top up our Coffee Cup

Access our digital events

Our commitment to accessibility is reflected in our digital programme, showcasing a range of author talks, workshops and events for young people. Participate in live online events on Zoom or social media, watch again on YouTube or download resources created specially for our Festival.

Literature broadens the mind and it’s really important to have people coming to Huddersfield to stimulate new ideas and debate.
Lemn Sissay
“I had a fabulous time at this warm, friendly and lively festival. The audience were great and the organisation first rate. I will be back!”
Stuart Maconie
Professional from start to finish, aided and abetted by an enthusiastic audience of book lovers.
Val McDermid
A real community festival, combining seamless organisation with a very friendly Yorkshire welcome.
Ann Cleeves
A wonderfully well put together event and one any author would be privileged to be invited to.
Vaseem Khan
Huddersfield Lit Fest rocks! Get yourself along and have some fun
Irvine Welsh
From the moment I arrived in Huddersfield I was welcomed and looked after in every way. The event was packed with a delightful and engaged audience. Top of my list for a return visit.
Helen Lederer
Great to be a part of this fantastic celebration of literature in such a welcoming town.
Levison Wood
I had a wonderful time, enjoyed every minute and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Festival to readers and fellow writers alike.
Mike Gayle
One of the most vibrant festivals I’ve had the pleasure to speak at, driven by a true passion for words of every description. I’d come back in a heartbeat.
Susie Dent
The Festival is one of West Yorkshire’s best. It represents the rich multiculture and diversity that Huddersfield is enriched with. It’s a festival for the people, with its people in mind and heart.
Chérie Taylor Battiste
My favourite festival! A passionate directorate, and a lively, engaged audience with an insatiable appetite for books, what more could anyone wish for?
Ben Miller
It’s been a joy bringing our LGBTQ+ literary salon to Huddersfield over the past 10 years. The audiences are warm and welcoming and the organisers a pleasure to work with. It’s one of the highlights of my year.
Paul Burston

Festival Supporters