Hastings Book Festival 2026

Hastings Book Festival is back, with David Olusoga and Kate Mosse among the authorss coming to town.

Running from 10th – 20th September, the festival brings talks, workshops, poetry, open mics and independent publishers to venues across Hastings. The Observer Building is the main hub for the festival weekends, with fringe events popping up at other venues.

Here are some key dates:

Thu 10th: A Load of Poets, Twelve Hundred Postcards. Free spoken-word open mic, starting with a poetry book swap.

Fri 11th: David Olusoga, Studio 27, White Rock Theatre.

Sat 12th: The Hastings Book Fair, Observer Building. Around 30 press stalls, including Constellations Press and Thin Man Press. Children’s book prize activities alongside. Free entry.

Sun 13th: Poets in Performance, White Rock Theatre. Andy Riley and James Domestic.

Sun 20th: Kate Mosse closes the festival at the Observer Building, discussing her new book Autumn. Tickets £15.

If you write, then the festival’s annual competitions are open until 10pm on 31st August, covering short stories, creative non-fiction and poetry. Entries close at 10 pm on 31st August. Top prize is £250. More info can be found here.