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Summer Festival Programme

Festival tickets go on general sale on 3rd April

Our Summer festival will showcase a broad programme that brings together politics, history, popular culture, environment and appearances from celebrated and favourite authors.

PRIORITY BOOKINGS ONLY

Summer Festival Tickets - Priority Bookings

PRIORITY TICKETS OPEN 27th MARCH PRIORITY TICKETS OPEN 27th MARCH

NEW Shared Reading Online Group - launched on 21st January 2026!

A fortnightly online evening session via zoom. Upcoming sessions on Wednesdays at 7pm:

18th March / 1st April / 15th April / 29th April

NEW for 2026

Shared Reading is a much-loved community programme run by Derby Book Festival. Our podcast hosted by two of our Shared Reading volunteers Ellie and Steve, celebrates the joy of shared reading with local voices and authors from across the East Midlands.

We’re currently looking for short pieces of writing and potential guests to feature in upcoming episodes. If you’re a writer with something to share, we’d love to hear from you. 

Shorter pieces work particularly well, as we read them aloud on the podcast and explore the thoughts and feelings they inspire in conversation. If your work is selected, you’ll be invited to join us as a guest to talk about it.

To be considered, please complete this form.

2025 Children's Book Appeal Update

Thank you for your generosity in donating books to this Autumn's Book Appeal. You have helped to donate over 5000 books to schools across the city centre.