Wales is home to one of the most famous literature festivals in the world (The Hay Festival), but it is also full of other, quirkier literary festivals, in all shapes and sizes. So, to help you plan ahead, I’ve compiled a list of all the literary / book festivals taking place in Wales during 2017. I’m sure there will be other festivals that I haven’t come across, so please use the comments below to add information about anything I’ve missed out…  Some of the later festivals haven’t confirmed their details yet, so I’ll continue to update this post throughout the year.   

If you’re searching for literary festivals in 2018 click here…

Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival

25^th March – 2^nd April in Cardiff

This will be the 5^th year for what has turned out to be a very popular festival. Two weeks packed full of interactive, family-friendly events (they sometimes run events for adults as well) featuring well-known authors, illustrators and storytellers. My logo designer (Huw Aaron) created their logo too – and he’ll be running a cartoon workshop. See the website for details.

Edward Thomas 100

8th & 21st April in Cardiff

I’m organising some events (on behalf of Cardiff University’s Special Collections and Archives) to mark the centenary of Edward Thomas, a poet whose work has inspired and influenced the writing of many others. We’ll also be posting daily poetry prompts for #NaPoWriMo. The events are supported by Literature Wales.

8th April – A creative writing workshop
21st April – A poetry performance event including an open mic

See the Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives website for more details. #EdwardThomas100

The Laugharne Weekend

7th-9th April – A quirky, popular, long-running festival which seems to have already sold out. So keep an eye on their website or Facebook page for 2018…

Abergavenny Writing Festival

20^th-22^nd April in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

Abergavenny Writing Festival took place for the first time in 2016. It is an event for anyone who loves the written word, inspiring people to get writing. Last year’s festival included a variety of writing workshops and performance events. Visit their website for more details.

Llandeilo Lit Fest

27^th–30^th April in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire

The first of these took place in 2016, and they’re gearing up for another festival this year. There’ll be a book fair, as well as author readings, poetry and music. See their website for more details.

The Carnival of Words

29^th April-6^th May in Wrexham

The Carnival of Words is a week-long literary festival which promotes reading and writing through performance events. Visit their website for more details.

Wales International Poetry Festival

3rd – 6th May in Aberystwyth, Bangor and Caernarfon

Featuring poets from Chile, France, Galicia, India, Mexico, Scotland, Slovenia and Wales, the festival is part of Literary Europe Live, supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, and a collaboration between Bangor and Aberystwyth Universities, organised by Literature Across Frontiers in partnership with Poetry Wales, Wales Literature Exchange and Wales PEN Cymru. Visit their website for more details.

Dylan Day / Dydd Dylan

14^th May in multiple locations around Wales

Dylan Day is an annual celebration of the life and work of the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. It is organised by Mab Jones, and involves a wide variety of events across Wales and further afield. See the Dylan Day / Dydd Dylan Facebook Page for more details.

Hay Festival

25^th May-4^th June in Hay-on-Wye, Powys

The Hay Festival is one of the UK’s biggest literature festivals. It features fiction, politics, poetry, non-fiction, drama and children’s events. I attended Hay for the first time in 2016 and you can read about my experience here. Visit the Hay Festival website for more details.

Llansteffan Literary Festival

8th-11th June in Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire

Organised by Parthian Books, featuring a variety of writers from Boyd Clack and Natalie Ann Holborow to Dai Smith and Gary Raymond. Visit their website for details.

R.S.Thomas Literary Festival (1)

9^th-11^th June in Aberdaron, Llŷn Peninsula

This festival celebrates the work of the poet R.S. Thomas. It takes place in the Welsh seaside town where he wrote some of his best poetry. Visit their website for more details.

Welshpool Poetry Festival

9^th-10^th June in Welshpool, Mid Wales

This festival will feature new, emerging and established poets, with events for children too. Their website will be updated with more information soon. In the meantime, have a look at their Facebook page, and here’s a quote from the festival organisers:

“Sophie McKeand will head up our Education Outreach Day on the Friday and will be reading with James Sheard and Deborah Alma in the evening. Helen Mort leads a workshop and James Sheard his masterclass on Saturday, followed by a lively free open mic. The festival closes with readings from Helen Mort and Luke Kennard.”

Caerleon Literature Festival

7th-8th July in Caerleon, South Wales

A small festival which begins with Shakespeare’s comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor, followed by events featuring Kate Hamer, Derek John, Horatio Clare, Tom Bullough, Patrick Jones and Atilla the Stockbroker. Visit their website for more details.

Penarth Literature Festival

7th-10th July in Penarth, near Cardiff

A small festival for book lovers of all ages. Follow them on Twitter or visit this website to see what’s on and buy your tickets.

Llangwm Literary Festival

11^th-13^th August in Llangwm, Pembrokeshire

A description from festival president Michael Pugh:

“Pembrokeshire’s newest literary festival offers a potent mix of local and international figures. Griff Rhys Jones brought hilarity last year and Diana Darke and Ben Rawlence tackled the theme of refugees. Topics are cutting edge. Lots for children and adults alike, and an art walk to showcase the village’s 12 outstanding artists “at home”. Bacon rolls in the Baptist Chapel to die for!”

Visit their website for more details.

Rhondda Book Fair

2nd September in SOAR Chapel Community Centre – Penygraig, Rhondda (10.30am-3pm)

A free event with the opportunity to meet twenty five different local authors covering a wide variety of genres. Visit the Facebook event or the website for more details.

Anglesey Môntage Writing Festival

9th September in Anglesey, North Wales

A day of workshops from published tutors for poets and fiction writers – the first of its kind on Anglesey. Some events will be in English, some will be in Welsh – see their website for information.

PENfro Book Festival

8^th-10^th September in Rhosygilwen, Pembrokeshire

The PENfro Book Festival celebrates the quality and diversity of writing in Wales, recognising the contribution of local publishers and booksellers, and encouraging more people to enjoy the wealth of books Wales offers. Held in the glorious setting of Rhosygilwen in Pembrokeshire, the festival aims to be friendly, informal and inviting to everyone from the casual to the most avid reader. Visit their website for details.

R.S.Thomas Literary Festival (2)

15th-17th September in Eglwysfach, Ceredigion

Another celebration of the poet R.S. Thomas, based in St Michael’s Church, Eglwysfach. This one features Gillian Clarke, Ifor ap Glyn and others, alongside an open poetry competition. Visit their website for more details.

Narberth Book Fair (formally Tenby Book Fair)

23rd September 10am-4pm in Narberth, Pembrokeshire

The book fair includes opportunities to meet writers and buy books, as well as workshops and other activities. Visit their website for details.

Cardiff Book Festival

22nd-24th September in Cardiff

The first ever Cardiff Book Festival took place in October 2016 and was a resounding success, with a variety of readings, discussions and workshops from local writers and others from further afield. Read my review of the festival here. It’s one not to be missed! See the Cardiff Book Festival website.

Crickhowell Literary Festival

October – dates TBC in Crickhowell, Powys

A celebration of Welsh identity and culture through literature, including a focus on history. The festival began in 2015 and looks set to continue and develop. Visit their website for more details.

And plenty more…

If you’re keen to find out more about literary events in Wales, here are a few links you might find useful:

• Literature Wales – What’s On
• Spoken Word Wales events listing
• My recent post listing regular literary events, book launches, spoken word and poetry performances in Cardiff
• A list of all the regular, Cardiff-based creative writing groups and workshops