The Ilkley literary festival has been a staple of Ilkley for 52 years now and it is the second longest running literary festival behind Cheltenham’s. Ilkley is a town in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, a county located in the North of England. It’s location on the British map makes this literary festival important, as it’s one of the biggest literary festivals you’ll find outside of London.
The Ilkley literary festival 2025 will run between October 3rd – October 19th offering 17 packed days of discussions, debates, and workshops. Headliners will include: Jung Chang, Michael Palin, Mary Portas, Alan Davies, Jay Rayner, Hugh Bonneville, Nick Clegg, Ruby Tandoh, Simon Armitage, Lady Hale, Rachel Joyce, and Irvine Welsh.
Not only will writers and novelists converge at the festival, but it’s also a known haven for poets, dating back to 1973. Poetry highlights this year include readings from Poet Laureate, Yorkshire’s Simon Armitage, a New Northern Poets showcase, and a reimagining of Tony Harrison’s controversial poem ‘V’ 40 years on, from poets including Andrew McMillan and Malika Booker.
Tickets for the festival go on sale on Tuesday August 26th, 2025. More ticket and programme information can be found on the Ilkley Literary Festival website.
This year’s events take place at the following locations: All Saints’ Church, Church House, Ilkley Grammar School, Ilkley Playhouse, King’s Hall, Ilkley Arts Studio, and The Wheatley Arms.
Have you attended this festival previous? Share your experiences in the comment section below.
