HuddLitFest Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Arts Council Backing

It’s not every day that a local festival gets to celebrate a big birthday, but Huddersfield Literature Festival is getting ready to blow out twenty candles, and the party looks set to be a proper blockbuster. The much-loved HuddLitFest is marking its 20th anniversary in 2026 with an absolutely massive programme of events. And how are they managing it? With a huge boost from an Arts Council England grant of nearly £50,000. This Arts Council backing means the festival, running from 6–17 May 2026, can pull out all the stops. The plan is to bring together famous bestselling authors, hilarious comedians, and celebrated poets, all while running workshops and community projects that get everyone involved. The whole celebration is built around the anniversary theme, ‘Twenty’, which sounds very fitting indeed.

A birthday programme packed with stars

So, what does a 20th anniversary party for a literature festival look like? Well, the guest list is seriously impressive. Imagine settling in for an evening with Ardal O’Hanlon – you might know him from TV shows like Father Ted or Death in Paradise, but he’s also a bestselling novelist and a brilliant stand-up comedian. For anyone who loves a good thriller, the festival has secured an evening with the “Queen of Crime” herself, Val McDermid. It's a chance to hear from one of the biggest names in the business. And for something a little different, how about a ‘Chocolat’ Experience? Yes, really. Joanne Harris, the author of the famous book, is teaming up with master chocolatier David Greenwood-Haigh for what sounds like a delicious event. It’s a great example of how the HuddLitFest programme mixes things up.

The lineup of poets is just as stellar. Festival Patron Lemn Sissay and the actual Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, will both be performing. It’s a rare chance to see two of the UK’s finest poets in one festival. And for fans of radio, Sunny Ormonde, who plays the unforgettable Lilian Bellamy in The Archers, will be sharing stories from her career. The programme also includes a major talk on arts and culture with Darren Henley, the CEO of Arts Council England, giving a glimpse into the bigger picture of the UK's creative world. This 20th anniversary event is shaping up to be something special, featuring cultural commentators and discussions that go beyond the page.

More than just the big names

While the headliners are brilliant, the HuddLitFest programme is about so much more. It dives deep into all sorts of interesting topics. For those who like to keep up with what's going on in the world, the festival will explore politics and current affairs. Contributors include big thinkers like Vince Cable, historian Brian Groom, and author Horatio Clare. It's the kind of festival where you can be laughing at comedians one minute and thinking about the big issues the next. There's even a fresh look at one of Yorkshire's own literary giants, Emily Brontë. It’s clear the festival organisers have thought carefully about creating a varied and thought-provoking experience for their 20th anniversary.

Some of the most popular events are also making a welcome return. The Polari LGBTQ+ Literary Salon will be back, offering a space for unique voices and stories. And for those who love the thrill of live performance, the HuddLitFest Poetry Slam is on the schedule, where poets battle it out with words. This mix of returning favourites and new discussions is a hallmark of the festival's fantastic programming. There are also creative workshops designed to inspire anyone with a story to tell, giving emerging writers the tools they need to get started.

Fun for the whole family and future stars

A festival isn’t a real celebration unless everyone can join in, right? The HuddLitFest has always been brilliant at including younger audiences, and this year is no exception. There are events for the little ones, like story sessions with the colourful Elmer the Elephant and even readings featuring Spider-Man. For budding artists, illustrator Chris Mould will be running illustration workshops. And in a lovely nod to a classic, there will be a special celebration for the 100th anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh, led by children’s author Jane Riordan. These events are perfect for inspiring a love of reading from a young age.

The festival is also passionate about finding and supporting the next generation of talent. Through a special initiative for its 20th anniversary called 20 New Voices, the festival will provide performance opportunities and creative workshops for emerging writers. This is a fantastic way to give new talent a platform. Alongside this, the festival continues its Schools Programme, which reached over 4,000 pupils in 2025. For 2026, they are championing the National Year of Reading campaign, known as ‘Go All In’, working to get people of all ages excited about books. They're partnering with brilliant local groups on community projects, including Conscious Youth, Empower, and Saving Grace Music, to make sure the festival’s reach is wider than ever.

Making sure everyone feels welcome

One of the best things about HuddLitFest is its focus on accessibility. It’s something they take very seriously, and it shows. They even won the Accessible & Inclusive Award at the prestigious Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards. This commitment means they work hard to make sure as many people as possible can enjoy the events. The dedication to accessibility is a key part of the festival's identity and is central to the 20th anniversary celebrations.

Festival Director Michelle Hodgson shared her excitement about the milestone:

“Reaching our 20th anniversary is a huge milestone for HuddLitFest. This funding allows us to celebrate with an ambitious programme that brings major cultural figures to Huddersfield, while continuing to support new voices, young people and local communities. Accessibility and participation remain at the heart of everything we do.”

Her words really sum it up. The Arts Council England grant is a game-changer, allowing the festival to create an ambitious programme for its 20th anniversary. It's a celebration that honours its history while looking firmly to the future by supporting emerging writers and building strong community projects. With a fantastic lineup and a deep commitment to accessibility, the 2026 HuddLitFest is shaping up to be an unforgettable event for everyone.

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