7 literary and book festivals worth travelling for around the world
Can’t make it to the Hay Festival this week? Here are some alternatives…
The written word can transport us to destinations we’ve never been to, and connect with peoples and cultures beyond our own. So it makes sense that many travellers are book lovers (and vice versa).
Suffering from FOMO with the Hay Festival kicking off in Wales this week (22 May-1 June)? Then it might be time for you to grab tickets for a literary or book festival, and there are some fantastic editions worth travelling for around the globe. Here’s seven to add to your itinerary this year and next…
Norwegian Festival of Literature, Lillehammer
When: 2-8 June 2025
Nordic noir has taken both the literary and television worlds by storm in recent years, and one of the best known authors comes from Norway: Jo Nesbø (of The Snowman fame). Should you want to head to Scandinavia to experience the moody settings behind these crime fiction books for yourself, you might want to put the Norwegian Festival of Literature in your diary. Held in May or June, the festival is the largest in the region, drawing in 30,000 visitors.
Highlights on the English programme this year include a panel discussion from novelists Edvard Hoem and Colm Tóibín (best known as the author of Brooklyn) on The Dream of America, and a chat with Haruki Murakami about the role of music in his life (fans will no doubt already know that his novel Norwegian Wood is so named for the Beatles song).
More information: litteraturfestival.no
Rio Book Biennial, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
When: 13-22 June 2025
Given Rio de Janeiro is the current UNESCO World Book Capital, we’d be remiss to not mention the city’s biggest literary celebration: The Rio Book Biennial. More than 600,000 attended over 10 days in 2023, and this year is set to be bigger than ever. International authors appearing on panels this year include Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, British crime author Cara Hunter and Canadian romance author Brynne Weaver, as well as a number of Brazilian writers such as Itamar Vieira Junior, Raphael Montes and Vitor Martins.
More information: bienaldolivro.com.br
Read next: See a different side to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia
When: 29 October-2 November 2025
There are more reasons to visit Bali than surfing and partying, particularly if you head to Ubud, with its verdant landscapes and traditional arts and crafts. One great reason to visit is the Writers & Readers Festival, held over four days in late October. Now in its 22nd edition, each event is themed around a single concept, this year’s being Aham Brahmasmi, which translates as ‘I am the Universe’.
The line-up hasn’t been confirmed yet, with the announcements due in mid-June and mid-July, but you can expect author talks, live music, late-night readings, workshops and more.
More information: ubudwritersfestival.com
Read next: Finding Bali’s true nature beyond the beach scene
Charleston Literary Festival, South Carolina, USA
When: 7-16 November 2025
Founded in 2017, South Carolina’s Charleston Literary Festival is known for its intimate venues, offering you the chance to see debates and discussions with some of your literary heroes up close. While the exact schedule for this year’s event is yet to be released, previous years have seen speakers including Man Booker Prize winner George Saunders, Joyce Carol Oates, Imani Perry and Ian McEwan.
More information: charlestonliteraryfestival.com
Aké Arts and Book Festival, Lagos, Nigeria
When: 20-22 November 2025
The largest literary festival in Africa, Aké Arts and Book Festival will return to Lagos for its 13th edition this November. Themed around ‘reclaiming truth’, visitors can expect book chats, art exhibitions, film screenings and poetry recitals that will explore media literacy, the role of storytellers in shaping collective memory and ideological bias.
The programme has yet to be revealed, but authors involved in the 2024 event included Abi Daré, Shani Akilah and Shubnum Khan.
More information: @akefestival
Read next: Defying the odds: Discover Nigeria’s Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
Galle Literary Festival, Sri Lanka
When: 22-25 January 2026
With the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort as its setting, there’s no way you won’t find inspiration for your next book on a visit to Galle Literary Festival. Held annually since 2007, the event not only includes panel discussions and talks from well-known authors, as it is accompanied by a programme of art, music, theatre, cooking demonstrations and more.
Details around next year’s edition are yet to be revealed, but the 2025 speaker list included Romesh Gunesekera, Ameena Hussein and Sunela Jayewardene.
More information: galleliteraryfestival.com
Read next: 15 of the best things to do in Sri Lanka
Adelaide Writers’ Week, Australia
When: Part of Adelaide Festival (27 February-15 March 2026)
Part of the Adelaide Festival, this writers’ week is jam-packed with events each year. Details for next year’s event are yet to be announced, but if 2024’s week is anything to go off (which had 231 writers take part over six days), it’s bound to be a special one. In 2025, major authors in attendance included Marcus Zusak, Geraldine Brooks, Anthony Horowitz and Wanderlust contributing editor Bettany Hughes.
More information: adelaidefestival.com.au
