All Events

As we can't put on our usual 900+ event Festival this year in our lovely tented village in Charlotte Square Gardens, we've curated a special online edition. From 15-31 August, enjoy events for adults and children for free. Through the magic of technology, we’ll be crossing continents and time zones to beam events from more than 30 countries straight into your home. What’s more, you’ll be able chat with fellow Festival goers via digital chatrooms and take part in Q&A sessions, and you'll even be able to meet the author and get your books signed (selected events).

All events are free and available to watch here on our website. See events below. 'Save your place' on the event page and we'll email you a reminder just before it starts.

Use one or more of the search filters below to find events.

    Browse this year's themes

    Should Capitalism Survive Climate Change?

    Saturday 29 August 17:30 - 18:30

    Should Capitalism Survive Climate Change? View event
    As COVID-19 has spread, the varying responses from the world’s governments has demonstrated catastrophic disparity and underpreparedness. In the push for growth and the prioritisation of short-term economic gain, the most vulnerable communities have...

    Samantha Irby: Bitches Gotta Eat

    Saturday 29 August 19:00 - 20:00

    Samantha Irby: Bitches Gotta Eat View event
    The New York Times in its review of Wow, No Thank You, Samatha Irby’s just-published fourth book, had the following recommendation: ‘Read Irby because she understands the mutinies of the body. She understands suffering and uncertainty, and is...

    Elif Shafak: Writing the World’s Wrongs

    Saturday 29 August 20:30 - 21:30

    BSL Event Elif Shafak: Writing the World’s Wrongs View event
    ‘As the world becomes increasingly polarized, beset with anxiety, anger and tribalism, it’s time for us to turn to the art of storytelling for wisdom, connectivity and much-needed empathy.’ These are the words of Elif Shafak about her latest...

    Illustrate your Feelings with Dunja Jogan

    Age 4+

    Sunday 30 August 10:00 - 10:35

    LD (Learning Disability Friendly Event) Illustrate your Feelings with Dunja Jogan View event
    Dunja Jogan’s Felix After the Rain is a wonderful introduction to discussing – and dealing with – feelings. This beautifully illustrated book follows Felix, who hides his sadness in a black suitcase – until one day the suitcase is accidentally...

    Super Scribbles and Canine Capers with Rob Biddulph

    Families & 4+

    Sunday 30 August 11:30 - 12:30

    Super Scribbles and Canine Capers with Rob Biddulph View event
    This year, on 21 May, Rob Biddulph broke the Guinness World Record for the largest online art lesson when 45,611 budding young artists drew a whale alongside the beloved illustrator. Rob's #DrawWithRob videos have had hundreds of thousands of views,...

    Masha Gessen with Philippe Sands: Facing Down President Putin

    Sunday 30 August 13:00 - 14:00

    Masha Gessen with Philippe Sands: Facing Down President Putin View event
    Promoting their new book Surviving Autocracy, Russian-American author and journalist, and peerless chronicler of totalitarianism and dissent, Masha Gessen made a surprising declaration: that by the middle of 2020 it seems clear that Trump might be worse...

    Allie Esiri: A Poem for Every Autumn Day

    Sunday 30 August 14:30 - 15:30

    Allie Esiri: A Poem for Every Autumn Day View event
    By the end of this difficult year, we may all wish to be transported to another world. Enter the irrepressible Allie Esiri, whose bestselling poetry anthologies have long provided nourishment and comfort. Packed with an eclectic mix of beloved...

    A Fantastical Escape with Eoin Colfer & Cressida Cowell

    Age 9+

    Sunday 30 August 16:00 - 17:00

    BSL Event A Fantastical Escape with Eoin Colfer & Cressida Cowell View event
    In this spectacular event Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell is joined by the international bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series, Eoin Colfer, plus a special surprise guest, to talk about how magical adventures and the joys of reading and...

    Andrew O'Hagan: Heydays in the Haçienda

    Sunday 30 August 17:30 - 18:30

    Andrew O'Hagan: Heydays in the Haçienda View event
    ‘Life is just a party, and parties weren’t meant to last.’ The post-punk protagonists of Andrew O’Hagan’s Mayflies would probably describe the lyrics of Prince’s hit pop song 1999 as ‘Yankee pish,’ but O’Hagan’s novel catches exactly...

    Paul Mendez & Derek Owusu: Thorny Intersections

    Sunday 30 August 19:00 - 20:00

    Captioned Event Paul Mendez & Derek Owusu: Thorny Intersections View event
    How do you get the upper hand on a world you don’t yet understand? That’s the burning question at the heart of two striking debuts that scrape away the coming-of-age clichés, breathing through the aches and pains of growing up. With echoes of...

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