Wimbledon BookFest is here! From 15–25 October, enjoy 100+ events with some of the biggest names in books, broadcasting, culture and more. And there’s plenty for younger book lovers too. Bring the kids along for a weekend of drawing, storytelling and creativity with Mariesa Dulak, Ed Vere and Chris Riddell at Wimbledon Library. Explore the programme, pick your events and book your seats now. Under 12s tickets £7.50 | £10 tickets for ages 16–29 | Book at wimbledonbookfest.org.
Taking place during the National Year of Reading, the festival offers local audiences the chance to hear from celebrated writers, broadcasters and performers, with events spanning fiction, comedy, current affairs, music and family storytelling. This year’s highlights include a live podcast recording with Clare Balding and appearances from two newly shortlisted Booker Prize authors.
On Sunday 25 October at 10.30am, Clare Balding joins Gaby Huddart for a special live recording of the National Literacy Trust’s new podcast. The broadcaster will explore the books that shaped her life, from childhood favourites to the stories that inspired her career, as well as discussing her first novel, Pastures New.
Meanwhile, this year’s Booker Prize shortlist brings added excitement to the festival’s fiction programme. Luke Kennard, shortlisted for Black Bag, and M. John Harrison, shortlisted for The End of Everything, both appear on Sunday 18 October at Merton Arts Space at Wimbledon Library. Kennard joins Ashley Hickson-Lovence at 2.30pm for a discussion of masculinity, identity and storytelling, while Harrison speaks to critic Jennifer Hodgson at 7pm about his darkly comic, post-apocalyptic novel. For readers following the prize, it’s an opportunity to hear from two contenders before the winner is announced.
Families can start that Sunday with author and illustrator Ed Vere, whose 10am event introduces Waffles & Julius. With children’s events alongside the adult programme, the opening weekend offers loads of reasons to make a day of it in Wimbledon.
Other highlights include Celia Imrie on 17 October, Sir Ian Botham on 24 October, and Craig Revel Horwood and Meera Syal on 25 October.
£10 tickets are available for ages 16–29, subject to availability. Explore the full programme and book at wimbledonbookfest.org.
