Literary festivals provide a much-needed platform for authors to showcase their work. They also create a place to collaborate, share a love of literature, and have intellectual exchanges. These festivals and fairs can expose readers to new genres they didn’t know they’d love and create an environment where readers have a chance to meet the people who create the art they love so much. Many literary festivals are being held worldwide at any given time, but what are considered the top 10 literary festivals for 2025? Let’s dive in!
10 Best Literary Festivals
Cheltenham Literature Festival, England
From October 10th to October 19th, 2025, the Cheltenham Literature Festival in England, which was founded in 1949, will take place once again. It is most known for its diverse programming, which has inspired over 9,000 school children each year through its outreach programming and pop-up events. This festival aims to celebrate the written word and create community. Tickets are not yet on sale, so watch for your chance to experience this incredible festival!
Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Indonesia
Held in Ubud, Bali, this year’s Ubud Writers and Readers Festival will take place from October 29th to November 2nd, and will be the 22nd edition of the festival. Established in 2004 by Australian author Janet DeNeefe as a response to the 2002 Bali bombings, the festival aims to promote healing and cultural exchanges through art and literature. The diverse lineup attracts around 170 writers, artists, and thinkers from all over. You’ll experience various panels, workshops, performances, and intimate lunches, creating an incredible atmosphere for writers and readers. Tickets are on sale now for this incredible literary festival!
Berlin International Literature Festival, Germany
From September 11th through the 24th, the 25th International Literature Festival in Berlin will occur again. The main program runs from September 11th to 20, and the youth program runs from September 15th to 24. Commonly celebrated for its literary diversity, the festival features about 150 events, with participation from over 200 authors who will represent over 50 countries! A fun note about this festival is how it collaborates with educational institutes to promote engagement beyond the festival. Tickets are on sale now; get them while you can!
Edinburgh International Book Festival, Scotland
The Edinburgh International Book Festival will occur from August 9th to 24th this year. This premier literary annual event showcases authors, poets, and thinkers from all over the globe. First established in 1983, this festival has grown to feature over 500 events, including discussions, workshops, and readings. The festival allows an exchange of literary interactions with renowned authors and the chance to participate in creative writing workshops. They also have a great children’s program, making this a must-attend summer event! The program will be announced in June, with tickets going on sale later in the month.
Hay Festival, Wales
2025 marks the festival’s 38th season and will run from May 22nd to June 1st. Annually held in Hay-on-Wye in Wales and established in 1988, this festival attracts around 300,000 visitors over its 11-day run. Known as a place of intellectual exchange thanks to former US president Bill Clinton naming it the “Woodstock of the mind,” this literary and arts festival holds talks, workshops, and performances from some incredible figures, including some Nobel prize-winning activists. This year, the festival will hold many events to explore, such as talks with William Sieghart and conversations with James Corden and Ruth Jones. Be sure to grab your tickets today!
Frankfurter Buchmesse Book Fair
This fair has been held from October 15th to the 19th for over 70 years! Held in October at the Frankfurt Trade Fair grounds in Germany, this major international event attracts over 7,000 exhibitors from over 100 countries and almost 300,000 visitors each year! The first three days focus on trade visitors, with the weekend open to everyone. Definitely one of the 10 Best Literary Festivals. Tickets will be on sale this summer!
Toronto International Festival of Authors, Canada
The Toronto International Festival of Authors is a 5-day event from October 29th to November 2nd this year. It was created to help inspire, empower, and connect through the art of stories and has been for over 40 years. This literary festival, running for 11 days, authors from over 100 countries, including famous award winners, gather to celebrate literature through conversations, readings, performances, and more! Stay tuned to their official website for more information about this incredible summer festival!
Sydney Writers Festival, Australia
The Sydney Writers’ Festival will run from May 19th to May 27th this year and will continue to feature diverse programming from international and Australian authors. Throughout the festival, there will be a variety of programs to attend, including children’s workshops, Shakespeare readings, conversations with book collectors, fire talks, and more! You can buy tickets for a specific event you want, or because there will be so much to explore, take advantage of their ticket bundles and receive a discount when you purchase four or more events.
Miami Book Fair, US
The 2025 Miami Book Fair will continue to be held at Miami Dade College’s Koubek Center from November 16th to November 23rd. During these 11 days, thousands of authors and readers gather in Downtown Miami for this premier literary event. This special literary festival includes a variety of authors speaking at least three languages to discuss politics, pop culture, and all things literary arts. From the street fair to evenings with authors, this is an incredible experience that cannot be missed, and tickets are already on sale!
Gothenburg Book Fair, Sweden
From September 25th to September 28th, Sweden’s Gothenburg Book Fair, also called the Göteborg Book Fair, is an annual literary festival event that was first put together in 1985. Once considered a small trade fair, it has become one of the most significant literary festivals in Scandinavia and the second-largest book fair in Europe! It attracts over 100,000 visitors each year and features nearly 900 exhibitors. The fair is full of seminars, discussions, and workshops, and it is also a place for authors, publishers, and readers to gather and foster special literary connections. Tickets are already on sale, so get yours while you can!
Final Thoughts
Literary festivals can be crucial cultural landscapes that empower the idea of storytelling, and these stories have the power to inspire others across multiple generations. It is important to create a community and allow everyone to engage with others for unique conversations, celebrate the stories that have already been told, and empower others to create the stories the world needs to hear. These 10 literary festivals from around the world help to do just that!
