Maidstone LitFest releases 2026 programme in National Year of Reading
Featuring broadcasters and historians, self-publishing and writers' workshops, wine-tasting and romantic fiction.
Maidstone LitFest is back for its fourth year and is full to the brim with amazing writers, from well-known names to emerging voices. It will run from 1st to 11th October across a range of venues in and around Maidstone.
The festival has firmly established itself as an annual event in Maidstone's culture and events calendar and won’t disappoint this year with a stellar line up of events.
This year’s extensive programme features broadcasters and historians, self-publishing and writers' workshops, wine-tasting and romantic fiction. The festival team’s ambition has always been to include a wide range of genres to appeal to all audiences and, this year, will include the return of the popular Suspense after Dark dinner event with thriller writers Adele Parks and Louise Candlish.
Broadcaster Sian Williams will be topping the programme at the Hazlitt Theatre in discussion with BBC newsreader Ellie Crisellto challenge everything you knew about anxiety in a fascinating conversation inspired by her Sunday Times bestseller The Power of Anxiety.
This year also features an inaugural poetry competition judged by the esteemed Kent poet and former head of Creative Writing at University of Kent, Dr. Dorothy Lenhane. The shortlisted entries and the winner will be invited to an event held on National Poetry Day (Oct 1st) to kick off the festival run.
Decline in reading prompts National Year of Reading campaign
Recent data from the UK’s biggest literacy survey shows that only about 1 in 3 children and young people aged 8–18 enjoy reading in their free time, the lowest level recorded in nearly 20 years. In response, the UK Government, National Literacy Trust and partners launched the 2026 National Year of Reading campaign to reverse this long-term decline by reconnecting people with reading in fun, relevant ways.
This year, Maidstone LitFest has enhanced its children's offering for the National Year of Reading with a Kids LitFest; a whole day of books and story fun with award-winning authors to engage and inspire younger readers and writers of all ages.
One of the festival organisers heading up the Children's LitFest, Jessica Stockwell, said: "We are proud to bring together a collection of wonderful authors to our corner of the county for the Kids LitFest.
“We want to create a day that celebrates the joy of books and reading, while giving children the opportunity to meet the authors whose stories they love, as well as discovering new favourites along the way. From inspiring author events and interactive workshops to crafts and activities, there will be something for every young reader and their families.”
Many of Maidstone's premium venues will once again play host to the festival events, including Leeds Castle, with a collection of historical based events featuring at Maidstone Museum, including, Shane Waterman: Maidstone's Dark History, Elinor Cleghorn: A Woman's Work and Clare Chambers author of Shy Creatures, who is working on a new book which features Maidstone.
Popular authors will be appearing at a number of after-hours events at Waterstones, including Stephanie Yeboah, Vaseem Khan, Erin Kelly, Milly Johnson and Kate Storey.
Political broadcaster Iain Dale will reflect on spending decades at the heart of British politics at an event in the Town Hall. And Saturday Kitchen’s Helen McGinn will share her wine expertise and book The Supermarket Wine Guide with a wine-tasting event at Mu Mu Maidstone. Make sure you visit the festival website for details of the full programme and to buy your tickets!
www.maidstonelitfest.org - the festival will run from 1st to 11th October 2026.
