The Penzance LitFest is in a celebratory mood as it gears up for its 15th edition, which this year will run from 7 to 11 July.
Heading the line-up is comedy legend and best-selling author Dawn French, speaking about her intriguing new novel, ENOUGH, with international theatre and film director Michael Grandage. More laughter is in store when Kernow King appears in the festival’s opening show, Kernewek Live! celebrating Cornwall and Cornish language and dialect.
Also in the programme is the festival’s Patron, Patrick Gale, who’ll be revealing the fascinating family history behind his new novel, Love Lane. The Guardian’s TV critic, Lucy Mangan, will talk about the reading adventures that inspired her to write Bookish: A Love Letter to Reading. And Lucy’s Guardian colleague, the cookery writer Felicity Cloake, will join fellow food journalist Orlando Murrin as they discuss switching from writing recipes to penning works of fiction.
Fans of crime fiction will be spoilt for choice. Among leading lights of the genre taking to the LitFest stage are Harriet Tyce, standout star of the BBC’s The Traitors and best-selling author; Emylia Hall, creator of the popular series The Shell House Detectives; cult Scottish crime writer, Chris Brookmyre; and Simon Mason, whose Oxford-set DI Wilkins novels have attracted widespread critical acclaim.
Non-fiction subjects range from Sir Humphry Davy to Ozzy Osbourne and from church architecture to the history of Islam in Europe. This year’s programme of writing workshops will provide inspiration for fledgling novelists, while literary walks will reveal hidden literary and historical facets of Penzance.
The run-up to the festival will see a unique opportunity for budding poets of all ages. A custom-built mobile version of the Southbank Centre’s National Poetry Library will be parked on Penzance promenade from 2 to 6pm on Monday 6 July and from 10am to 5pm on Tuesday 7 July. Visitors can view a touring exhibition and take part in free, interactive poetry activities.
The LitFest’s Patron, the novelist Patrick Gale, said: ““For a book festival to survive, let alone thrive, in the current financial climate, takes ingenuity and determination. That Penzance LitFest is now celebrating a magnificent fifteenth edition is testament both to the skill and tenacity of its volunteer team and to the hungry minds of the readers it attracts from both West Penwith and beyond. Here’s to the next fifteen!”
The LitFest is grateful to Penzance Council for supporting the festival with a grant.
The Mayor of Penzance, Cllr Andy Law, said: “Penzance Council is delighted to be supporting Penzance Lit Fest 2026. Using wonderful local venues such as The Acorn, Morrab Library and The Exchange, we are once again being provided with a veritable cornucopia of events, including talks, workshops, poetry, interviews and readings. The benefits of reading and writing on our well-being and mental health are well known, as is the importance of writing to our cultural heritage. I am particularly pleased as the new Mayor of Penzance – determined to increase the use and presence of Kernewek (Cornish) throughout the Parish – that there is a significant presence of Cornish subjects and speakers… SPLANN! (Fantastic!).”
In total, the festival will feature over 50 events including author talks and writing workshops plus the return of the hugely popular LitFest quiz. Tickets cost from £6 and can be purchased at pzlitfest.co.uk, by phone on 01736 363545 or in person from the Acorn theatre box office in Parade Street, Penzance. Free copies of the printed programme are available at libraries, bookshops, cafes and galleries throughout West Cornwall.
