It's the announcement book lovers across Gloucestershire have been waiting for... Cheltenham Literature Festival has revealed its lineup for 2025!
Bringing some of the biggest names to town, from TV and radio royalty like Graham Norton, Joanna Lumley and David Suchet, to the most exciting up-and-coming authors and poets, the diverse programme features over 400 events.
Making literature accessible for all, one third of this year's programme is free to attend, with the return of the infamous Lit Crawl, as well as free events throughout the Festival Village, from the popular VOICEBOX stage to The Wild Wood and Times Square.
Cheltenham Literature Festival is also bringing back The Big Read after a 10-year hiatus, with the number one bestselling debut novel of 2024, The Ministry of Time, being distributed for free to book clubs, coffee shops and more all over Cheltenham ahead of this year's festival, when author Kaliane Bradley takes to the stage.
Here are some more of SoGlos's highlights from this year's lineup...
Who is appearing at Cheltenham Literature Festival 2025?
Some of this year's biggest names include Joanna Lumley; Graham Norton; Miriam Margolyes; Gavin and Stacey stars Joanna Page and Larry Lamb; Queen of the High Street, Mary Portas; Katie Piper; comedian and QI star, Alan Davies; Hercule Poirot himself, David Suchet; Strictly star Oti Mabuse; songwriter, rapper and former X Factor judge, Tulisa Contostavlos; as well as former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and former Conservative Party leader William Hague.
Big-name and bestselling authors include Thursday Murder Club mastermind Richard Osman; Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh; journalist and romance novelist Jojo Moyes; The Five author Hallie Rubenhold; one of the The Times' 50 greatest British writers and author of Atonement, Ian McEwan; author of the hit thriller My Sister, the Serial Killer, Oyinkan Braithwaite; and author of SoGlos Book Club pick The Names, Florence Knapp.
Poetry fans won't want to miss Hollie McNish, poet laureate Simon Armitage, or acclaimed poet and performer Raymond Antrobus; while foodies are being treated to a series of unique events at rooftop restaurant The Nook on Five and Dunkertons Taproom, as well as the chance to see celebrity chefs including Raymond Blanc, Nigel Slater, Matt Tebbutt and food critic Giles Coren.
On the children and YA programme, highlights include a circus-filled story show with Tweedy; farmyard tales with Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper; Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden; author of the smash hit Heartstopper series, Alice Oseman; national treasure Jacqueline Wilson; and author of the beloved The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, Charlie Mackesy.
When is Cheltenham Literature Festival 2025?
Cheltenham Literature Festival takes place from Friday 10 to Sunday 19 October 2025.
When do tickets go on sale for Cheltenham Literature Festival 2025?
Tickets go on general sale on Thursday 4 September 2025.
To see the full lineup, or to book tickets, visit the Cheltenham Festivals website.
