Join Portsmouth BookFest 2025

Calling all reading fanatics, book lovers, aspiring writers, film enthusiasts and poets – tickets are available to purchase for Portsmouth BookFest 2025, which runs from Tuesday 18 February to Sunday 9 March.

Portsmouth BookFest is a popular annual event organised by Portsmouth City Council. This year, it’s part of ‘In Our Words’, a year long celebration of literature and literacy by Portsmouth Creates; an organisation which supports the local cultural and creative community. This year there’s a wide variety of events, activities and talks as well as appearances from some of its biggest names to date.

The packed programme of both in person and virtual sessions include the following highlights:

Children’s programme (Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 February)

• Tea party with The Tiger Who Came to Tea, starting on Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 February for children aged 2-10 years at various libraries around the city
• Community-curated screening of The Book Thief (2013 PG 13) on Thursday 20 February at The Lens Studio
• Fairytales told through puppetry with Tigerboat Theatre Company on Friday 21 February for children aged 2-5 years at Carnegie and North End Libraries
• Soundtrack the Story workshop on Friday 21 February for children aged 11-16 years
• Zine making workshop on Saturday 22 February at the University of Portsmouth Library
• Moonstruck creative writing session with Lynne Stretch on Saturday 22 February for children aged 7-11 years

Adult’s programme (Monday 24 February to Sunday 9 March)

• Comedian, actress, presenter and writer Helen Lederer will be in conversation about her book – Not That I’m Bitter on Friday 28 February
• Political scientist and historian Vernon Bogdanor will explore political careers of six politicians who set the agenda of post-war British politics on Monday 3 March at Portsmouth Central Library
• Crime fiction fans can enjoy the Crime Bites series of four separate events which includes a virtual talk by Caitlin Davies on female detectives on Wednesday 5 March, cosy crime and young adult crime fiction authors Sarah Harris and Joise Lloyd on Friday 7 March, Portsmouth favourite Pauline Rowson on Saturday 8 March and DJ Simon Mayo who will present his new thriller Black Tag on Sunday 9 March
• Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development said: “The line-up for this year’s BookFest has lots of things to get involved in, regardless of your age or budget. There are plenty of low-cost and free events and sessions to join, so make sure you visit your local library or go on the website to secure your place.”

Tickets are on sale in any Portsmouth Library or online at Portsmouth BookFest – Public Library Service / where there’s a full programme of events.