Who Is Coming To The Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival 2025?

Picture this: it's autumn, the leaves are turning golden, and there's a bit of a chill in the air. Perfect weather for grabbing a hot chocolate and getting lost in a good book, right? Well, what if you could meet the people who actually write those books?

This October, the famous spa town of Harrogate becomes the centre of the book-loving universe as it hosts the incredible Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival. And this year, the line-up is absolutely brilliant. From October 9th to the 19th, this is the place to be for anyone who loves stories. The ten-day festival is a huge event on the literary calendar, bringing together some of the biggest names you can think of. The entire programme is jam-packed with talks and events, making it a must-visit celebration of the arts.

A seriously stellar line-up

Okay, let's get to the good stuff. Who is actually coming to Harrogate? The organisers have pulled out all the stops this year to create a really exciting mix of people. It's not just one type of author; it's a whole blend of interesting personalities from different parts of public life, ready to share their stories. It's a pretty amazing chance to see these famous faces up close in a relaxed setting, far from the TV studios and political chambers you might be used to seeing them in. The complete line-up for the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

• Politics and Power: Fancy hearing from someone who ran a country? Former Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be there, chatting about her new book. And she's not the only big political name. Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt is also on the bill. It's a rare chance to hear their stories, straight from them.
• Telly and Entertainment: Is that your final answer? Yes, TV legend Chris Tarrant will be there! He's joined by the brilliant comedian and author Helen Lederer, who is always hilarious, and the familiar face of news presenter John Suchet.
• Sporting Heroes: For cricket fans, this is a big one. England cricketing legend Graham Gooch is swapping the crease for the stage to talk about his incredible career.
• Amazing Minds: The festival also features economist Sir Partha Dasgupta, who looks at the world in a completely unique way. Plus, if you love a good podcast, Chris and Jen Sugden, the creators of the hugely popular audio drama Victoriocity, will be there. And for history buffs, historian Kate Vigurs will be sharing some incredible stories from the past.

And that's not even everyone! More special guests are still to be announced, so the programme is only going to get better.

More than just a book festival

The Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival has a massive reputation. It's been called "One of the UK's best Literary Festivals" by Harper's Bazaar and "One of the Top 3 Literary Festivals in the UK" by the Guardian. What makes it so special? It's all about creating a friendly, intimate atmosphere. You're not in a giant, soulless hall; you're in a lovely venue, The Crown Hotel, where you feel connected to the speakers. It's a proper celebration of the written word and the people behind it. The whole event is made possible thanks to the long-standing support of Raworths Solicitors, who have been sponsoring the event for an amazing thirteen years. Their backing is a huge part of what makes these world-class festivals happen in Harrogate.

Rachel Tunnicliffe, a Senior Partner at Raworths Solicitors, captures the spirit of the event perfectly:

"This is our thirteenth year sponsoring the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival and once again it has brought together a fabulous lineup of exceptional authors and special guests. This Festival is a celebration of brilliant books and inspiring people with a story to tell, and we are proud to play our part in bringing this prestigious event to Harrogate."

What the organisers have to say

Putting on an event of this size is a huge team effort, led by Harrogate International Festivals, an organisation that champions all kinds of arts and cultural events across Yorkshire. They work all year round to bring amazing experiences to the public, from music and science to philosophy and, of course, the great literary programme. They are experts at creating memorable festivals.

Sharon Canavar, the Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, is clearly thrilled with what they've put together:

"This year's Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival includes a wonderful mix of politicians, TV broadcasters, journalists and sport stars, with more exciting programme announcements coming soon. We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, Raworths Solicitors, for their continued support. Without them we wouldn't be able to bring world class events like this to Harrogate."

How to get your tickets

Feeling excited? You should be! The Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival takes place at The Crown Hotel in Harrogate from Thursday, October 9 to Sunday, October 19, 2025. It's a perfect event to look forward to as autumn begins.

Tickets go on general sale from Wednesday, 27 August 2025. The best way to get them is by heading over to the official Harrogate International Festivals website. You can find everything you need there, including the full programme and details on every single author and speaker.

Here are the details you need:

• What: Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival
• Where: The Crown Hotel, Harrogate
• When: October 9-19, 2025
• Tickets On Sale: From Wednesday, 27 August 2025
• Website: www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
• Box Office Phone: 01423 562 303

This is more than just a literary event; it's a chance to be inspired, entertained, and to see some of your heroes in person. Don't miss out on one of the best festivals of the year!