York Literature Festival

The York Literature Festival is back in 2025 with a crowd-pleasing line-up of events for book-lovers of all ages.

We are very excited to reveal the programme for this year’s festival, which is taking place across York from 6 to 29 March, with a final event on 29 April. You can download the programme from the link below, or check out our Events page, for all relevant information and ticket links.

Featuring Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah, Susie Dent, Susanna Clarke, Matt Haig, Sophie Hannah, The Three Dads, and many more!


Come see us (and pick up your own copy!) during the York Residents’ Festival at York Explore Library and Archive!

25th and 26th January from 11am – 3pm


In the meantime…

The York Howlers

Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, head down to the Blue Boar for everyone’s favourite poetry open mic night!

Next Event: 13 February @ 7:30pm

Follow them for updates!

Society of Hauntologists

The York Society of Hauntologists is a reading group embracing all things Folk Horror in England’s most haunted city at the Black Swan Inn.

Next Event: 29 January @ 7pm
Current Read: “Man-Size in Marble” by Edith Nesbit

Follow them for updates!

In Conversation with Nick Newman

The Garden by Nick Newman
In a place and time unknown, two elderly sisters live in a walled garden, secluded from the outside world. For as along as they can remember, Evelyn and Lily have only had each other. What was before they garden, they have forgotten; what lies beyond it, they do not know.

The event includes a talk led by the author, Nick Newman, followed by a Q&A, and a small drinks reception and signing event at the end of the evening.

When: 6 February @ 7pm
Where: Waterstones York, Coney Street

Entry is £5
Buy tickets here


Adele Parks in Conversation

The queen of the psychological thriller returns with First Wife’s Shadow, a nail-bitingly suspenseful dive into obsession and deep dark secrets, as Emma’s new husband’s fixation on his dead first wife threatens to turn deadly.

When: 13 February @ 7pm
Where: Waterstones York, Coney Street

Entry is £5
Buy tickets here


YLF 25


Sponsored by York St. John University for the 2025 York Literature Festival.


Join Us


We hope that you will join us at our events taking place across our wonderful city.


Ticket Information


To book tickets and for more information about the events, please click here.