Cheltenham Literature Festival Sets Record Attendance, Celebrates Storytelling

Cheltenham Literature Festival Breaks Records, Celebrating the Power of Storytelling

The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2025 has concluded with a landmark edition, marking a record-breaking year for ticket sales and reaffirming the enduring popularity of literature festivals in Cheltenham. Over 10 vibrant days, the festival welcomed thousands of book lovers from across the region, cementing its reputation as one of the UK’s premier literary events.

Details

The festival, which took place from 10-19 October 2025, featured a diverse programme of more than 400 events, including readings, talks, workshops, and panel discussions. Highlights included a special appearance by award-winning children’s illustrator Jamie Smart, who served as the festival’s first-ever Guest Curator for Comics, curating a selection of events celebrating the art form.

Other notable events included the return of the popular “Big Read” programme, which encouraged the local community to come together around a shared literary experience, as well as a free-to-see programme of over 100 events and activities taking over Montpellier Gardens and Cheltenham Town.

What You Need to Know

The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival is the world’s longest-running literature festival, having first begun in 1949. The 2025 edition was a resounding success, attracting record-breaking crowds and cementing Cheltenham’s reputation as a hub for literary enthusiasts.

For more information about the festival, including details on upcoming events and programmes, please visit the Cheltenham Festivals website at cheltenhamfestivals.com or contact the festival organisers at info@cheltenhamfestivals.com.

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