From Spider-Man to Simon Armitage, HuddLitFest celebrated 20 years this May with a packed programme
It’s the “best thing in town”, according to one festival-goer, “a masterclass in addressing the craft of writing and performing poetry and prose in an incredibly inclusive way, and with the draw of sitting in the same space as some big names”.
A stand-out year
Celebrating its 20th birthday this May, it has been a stand-out year for Huddersfield Literature Festival says Festival Director Michelle Hodgson: “The anniversary definitely helped to shine a light on the Festival this year, and it’s been fantastic to see audiences appreciating our events and enjoying the celebrations. We had a 98% approval rating from our audiences and 63% gave events the top rating of ‘Excellent’ – a testament to the quality of the events and the audience experience.”
Founded in 2006, HuddLitFest has grown from a long weekend to a two-week programme showcasing diverse voices and experiences. Winner of the Accessible and Inclusive Award at the prestigious Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards, the Festival holds events in accessible spaces, some with live subtitles, as well as an online programme.
Poetry, fiction and support for emerging artists
With much-loved poet and Festival Patron Lemn Sissay kicking off proceedings and a performance by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage as the closing act, it was a bumper year for poetry.
Major names such as actor and comedian Ardal O’Hanlon, crime writer Val McDermid and local bestselling author Joanne Harris also drew in the crowds, but it’s not only about bums on seats Michelle explains.
“Our writing workshops, open mics and competitions help local and emerging writers and poets to hone their craft and reach more people. This year’s Poetry Slam winner, Bxnks, had never performed at a Slam before, and it’s important for us to offer vital commissions and opportunities to local writers and poets.”
Discussions and cultural celebrations
Discussion topics also proved popular this year, with former LibDem leader Vince Cable, Arts Council Chief Executive Darren Henley, journalist Horatio Clare and woodland expert Luke Barley all bringing their knowledge and experience to bear.
There were celebrations of Ukrainian history and culture in the town, and a poetry, dance and music walk in Beaumont Park, attended by people from 10 countries of origin and including Kurdish singing and African drumming.
Boosting the local economy
The Festival also helps to boost to the local economy, providing inward investment in the form of Arts Council and other grants, and bringing people into local venues, both in the centre of Huddersfield and outlying Huddersfield towns and villages.
“People tell us how much they appreciate having events on their doorstep, whether in Huddersfield town centre or outlying areas such as Holmfirth and Marsden,” Michelle says.
Reaching 10,000+ pupils across Kirklees
Alongside the general programme, the Festival runs a Schools programme of workshops, assemblies and resources, this year reaching 10,000+ pupils across Kirklees.
As part of the National Year of Reading 2026, the Festival also launched a Reading Squad pilot project at Crow Lane Primary School, and will be applying for funding to roll this out to schools across the region.
“It’s often the first time that children have met an author or a poet,” Michelle explains, “and the teachers report back on the benefits of participation, from creative expression to increased confidence.”
So what’s next?
So how can the Festival follow a bumper year? “Next year we’ll be 21 so I guess we can say we’ve come of age,” Michelle says. “Funding is always a challenge, but we’re an agile organisation with an experienced and incredibly hard-working core team. We’ll keep finding ways to progress and thrive.”
The Festival team would like to thank all of our performers, audiences, sponsors, funders and supporters for joining us and championing the Festival over the years. The next HuddLitFest will take place in mid-May 2027 – we look forward to seeing you then!
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