Essex Book Festival

Dive into the Essex Book Festival 2025 and discover exciting new ways to connect with Essex! This festival is packed with an incredible mix of free and paid events that welcome everyone.

This year, we are hosting a diverse range of author events, including creative writing workshops, culinary and cultural experiences, guided walks, engaging talks, and exhibitions. There will also be many vibrant performances, engaging Q&A sessions, and tons of fun family activities. Plus more!

Check out the Essex Book Festival website for the full line up and pick the events that spark your curiosity. Come join the fun!

The Festival was established by Essex County Council in 1999 to celebrate the book in all its forms with the widest possible audiences. It has grown exponentially since then. Now recognised as one of the leading festivals of its kind in the East of England, it invites writers and artists from all over the world to take part in its activities and events.

This, in turn, led to a number of new opportunities, not least of all in terms of the wide range of partners with which it now works: both within Essex, and nationally and internationally.

The Essex Book Festival is based with the Centre for Creative Writing at University of Essex Colchester Campus.

Free-£15
Subject to event.
Concessions available.