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Summer Derby Book Festival 2025

By Visit Derby

Created November 17, 2024

Last updated April 10, 2025

10th Anniversary Festival

The 10th anniversary of the Derby Book Festival’s Summer Festival will take place from Friday 23 May to Sunday 1 June, celebrating a decade of literary events.

This year’s programme will feature 60 book-related events across the city, covering everything from conspiracy theories to cricket, railways to running - offering something to spark everyone’s curiosity! Venues include Derby QUAD, Derby College, Derby Theatre, Artcore, and Derby Museums.

The Festival is supported by funding from Arts Council England and the University of Derby, along with sponsorship from a range of local businesses and individuals.

View full programme here

To find out more please visit the Derby Book Festival website

Here's a peek at what's on:

Michael Sheridan event artwork Michael Sheridan: The Red Emperor 23 May
Alan Johnson event artwork Alan Johnson: Harold Wilson 23 May
Claire Hubbard-Hall event artwork Afternoon Tea with Claire Hubbard-Hall: Her Secret Service: The Forgotten Women of British Intelligence 23 May
Paul Sinton-Hewitt event artwork Paul Sinton-Hewitt: One Small Step 24 May
Sarah Moss event artwork Sarah Moss – Ripeness 24 May
Gabrielle Gatehouse event artwork Gabriel Gatehouse: The Coming Storm 24 May
Ruth Amos event artwork Ruth Amos: The Inventor's Workshop - talk, signing and activities 24 May
Simon Armitage An Evening with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage 27 May
Proof Party event artwork Proof Party with Headline Publishers 27 May
The Lost Property Library event artwork The Lost Property Library 27 May
Spring is the only Season event artwork Simon Barnes: Spring is the Only Season 28 May
Kathryn Eccleston event artwork Kathryn Eccleston: Testament Of Youth 29 May
Sam Freeman event artwork Sam Freeman: Failed State 29 May
Children enjoying a book reading Derbion Storytelling 29 May + more
Bookworms event artwork Bookworms: The Kids Takeover at Electric Daisy 29 May
Isabel Losada event artwork Isabel Losada: The Joyful Environmentalist 29 May
David Kynaston event artwork David Kynaston: Richie Benaud’s Blue Suede Shoes 30 May
Andrew McMillan event artwork Andrew McMillan: Pity 30 May
Christian Walmar event artwork Christian Wolmar: British Rail 30 May
Roger Clough event artwork Roger Clough: Oldenland 31 May
Judith Mackrell event artwork Judith Mackrell: Artists, Siblings, Visionaries 31 May
Chloe Dalton event artwork Chloe Dalton: Raising Hare 31 May
Terry Deary event artwork Terry Deary: A History of Britain In Ten Enemies 31 May
Ben Aitken event artwork Ben Aitken: Shitty Breaks 31 May
Fantasy Fiction event artwork Fantasy Fiction: Abbie Eaton & Antonia Hodgson 01 Jun
Tim Minshall event artwork Tim Minshall: Your Life Is Manufactured 01 Jun
Claire Chambers event artwork Clare Chambers: Shy Creatures 01 Jun

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