Lancaster Literary Festival: Save the date as Litfest returns March 17 to 26 – all tickets free to access

The Lancaster Litfest, which began in 1978, has a packed programme of author events, chances to take part in reading, writing and competitions and drop-in activities. It takes place this year from March 17-26 at venues throughout the city.

Entitled ‘Exploring the past, creating the future’ the festival will delve into how the past is shaping the decisions we make and the legacies we will leave.

It is run by a dedicated board who, with the cost of living in mind, want it to be accessible to as many as possible so tickets are free, but donations are asked for. Most events can be accessed in person or online but tickets must be booked in advance – so hurry before they go!

Local stories and local people

There are many highlights and internationally renowned authors, but we’ve picked out a few events with strong local links, to give you a flavour of the eclectic mix on offer.

‘From Source to Sea’ is a poetry and performance event. Born out of the Lancaster Arts and The Sewing Café Lancaster’s ‘River Tours’ project which saw a 10-metre sewn map of the River Lune created in October. People are invited to submit their own poems inspired by the river and could see them featured on the Litfest Poetry Map.

The river was a vital shipping route at one time and the city of Lancaster was an important maritime port, with links to the slave trade when cotton, sugar, rum and spices came in and out of the city.

Will Pettigrew, Nick Radburn, Lancaster Black History Group and the Lancaster University’s Atlantic Slave Trade research project are behind events around this topic. You could join a walking historical tour of the city led by Professor Alan Rice, to find out more about these links or explore the uses to which compensation paid to former slave owners was put in Victorian Britain and discover the stories of some of these controversial figures.

Join the Big Read

Children’s writer Cynthia Murphy will be in town – her debut novel Last One to Die was chosen as the Lancashire Book of the Year 2022. Litfest is encouraging everyone to read this gripping thriller.

And Frank Cottrell-Boyce, is sure to be a popular draw this year. This comic genius thrills young writers and his latest book Noah’s Gold is Litfest’s Big Read for 2023. You can sign up to the Big Read online.

Into nature

There are lots of links with nature in the festival and one includes Tim Birkhead, a nature writer, and Jon Carter, from Leighton Moss RSPB, who will explore the link between humans and birds and our obsession with our feathered friends – you could even submit a nature photograph for the competition.

Venues and tickets

Venues include Lancaster library, The Storey, Dukes Theatre, the Herbarium and Lancaster City Museum.

To find out more about the events, reserve your tickets and to make a donation of whatever you can visit the website.