The 20th edition of one of the UK’s biggest book festivals will take place in-person and online from October 2-11, with tickets for the 140 events for adults and children going on sale to Friends of the Festival on Tuesday July 7, followed by general sale on July 13.
Fane Group returns as headline sponsor for the second year.
The Fane Stage at the Marquee at Phyllis Court will host conversations and talks with Lucy Worsley, Jon Ronson, Caitlin Moran, Sathnam Sanghera and Prue Leith, alongside international bestsellers Sebastian Faulks, Elif Shafak, Jeffrey Archer, Maggie O’Farrell and Robert Harris.
It will also be the venue for two events in support of the festival’s charity partners,
The Ovarian Cancer Fund and Bookmark Reading charity: a special conversation with Festival favourites Dawn O’Porter and Bryony Gordon and a Honk! comedy night featuring Helen Lederer.
Former prime minister Baroness May will join Westminster insiders Cleo Watson and Helen MacNamara for the first live edition of their Independent podcast In The Room.
The Independent, marking 40 years of front-line journalism, is the Festival’s news partner. A pre-Festival pop-up evening at Christ Church Henley on September 15 will feature Monty Python icon Eric Idle and The Body Coach Joe Wicks.
Events for children of all ages include the UK’s bestselling author Julia Donaldson with the long-awaited Gruffalo Granny, Dr Ranj Singh, Lottie Brooks No.1 Katie Kirby, author-illustrator Rob Biddulph and Tom Gates creator Liz Pichon.
The Saga Stage at The Relais Henley will feature novelists Meg Mason, Margaret Drabble, Mike Gayle, Joanne Harris and Nikita Gill, alongside Conclave actor Lucian Msamati, Afghan journalist Zahra Joya, Hi-De-Hi star Su Pollard and local favourites Tom Fort and Debbie McGee.
Highlights at the Gower Cottage Brownies stage at Henley town hall include a look at the impact of social media and screens with Sarah Wynn-Williams and Dr Kaitlyn Regehr, Booker winner Sir Ben Okri; Spandeau Ballet’s Gary Kemp; space scientist Dame Maggie Aderin and broadcasters Sophie Raworth and Lorraine Kelly.
Events at both the town hall and the marquee will also be available to watch live online.
Tickets will go on sale to Gold and Platinum Friends on July 3, Friends on July 7 and general sale on July 13.
You can find out more about becoming a Friend at henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk/memberships/ or call 01491 575 948.
