The first-ever Whitby Lit Fest will bring more than 50 authors, playwrights, and poets to the coastal town from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 November, with events in venues across Whitby.
Headline names include Lee Child, Miriam Margolyes, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Steph McGovern, Rob Rinder, Yvette Fielding, Shaun Usher, Rob Cowen, and Emma Carroll. Events range from author talks and live podcast recordings to gothic fiction panels, nature writing, folk music, and children’s workshops.
The programme celebrates storytelling in all its forms, from Miriam Margolyes discussing The Little Book of Miriam with Lucinda Hawksley, to Lee Child in conversation with Rob Rinder on Jack Reacher’s 30th outing, to Sir Alan Ayckbourn offering insights into his craft. Crime, history, nature, and Whitby’s own literary heritage all feature heavily, alongside a dedicated poetry strand.
Festival-goers can also enjoy a variety of local food vendors alongside the packed schedule, making Whitby’s harbour and historic streets a hub of conversation, culture, and good eating.
When: 6–9 November 2025
Where: Venues across Whitby
Tickets: On sale 5 August via whitbylitfest.com