Penzance LitFest 2026: Five Days of Talks, Workshops and Poetry

Penzance is about to get a serious literary boost. The town’s annual book festival is back for its 15th edition this summer, and the line-up reads like a who’s who of British writing, comedy and crime fiction.

The Penzance LitFest runs from 7th to 11th July 2026, with comedy legend and best-selling author Dawn French heading the bill. She’ll appear in conversation with international theatre and film director Michael Grandage to discuss her new novel, ENOUGH.

📷Dawn French - Credit: Pål Hansen

Cornish language gets centre stage

The opening show, Kernewek Live!, celebrates Cornwall and the Cornish language and dialect, with Kernow King among those getting the festival under way.

Festival Patron Patrick Gale will be on hand to reveal the family history behind his new novel, Love Lane. The Guardian’s TV critic Lucy Mangan also features on the bill, talking about the reading adventures that inspired her to write Bookish: A Love Letter to Reading. Her Guardian colleague Felicity Cloake, the cookery writer, joins fellow food journalist Orlando Murrin to discuss the move from writing recipes to writing fiction.

📷Chris Brookmyre © Bob McDevitt Photography

Crime writers head to West Cornwall

Fans of the genre will have plenty to choose from. Harriet Tyce, best-selling author and a standout from the BBC’s The Traitors, is among the line-up, along with Emylia Hall, creator of The Shell House Detectives series. Cult Scottish crime writer Chris Brookmyre is appearing too, as is Simon Mason, whose Oxford-set DI Wilkins novels have drawn widespread critical praise.

📷Harriet Tyce - Credit: Charlotte Knee Photography

From Humphry Davy to Ozzy Osbourne

Non-fiction subjects range from Sir Humphry Davy to Ozzy Osbourne, taking in church architecture and the history of Islam in Europe along the way. There are writing workshops for fledgling novelists and literary walks promising to reveal hidden literary and historical corners of Penzance.

📷Edward Rowe

Mobile poetry library on the prom

In the run-up to the festival, a custom-built mobile version of the Southbank Centre’s National Poetry Library will park up on Penzance promenade. It’ll be there from 2pm to 6pm on Monday 6th July and from 10am to 5pm on Tuesday 7th July. Visitors can see a touring exhibition and take part in free interactive poetry activities. More information on the Mobile Poetry Library and A Poet in Every Port project is available on the Southbank Centre’s website.

📷Simon Mason (c) Matt Hood Photography

“Here’s to the next fifteen”

Patrick 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 festival has received grant support from Penzance Council. 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!).”

📷Patrick Gale - Credit: Steve Tanner

Tickets and details

The festival features over 50 events in total, including author talks, writing workshops and the return of the hugely popular LitFest quiz. Tickets start at £6 and can be booked at pzlitfest.co.uk, by phone on 01736 363545, or in person at the Acorn theatre box office in Parade Street, Penzance. Free printed programmes are available at libraries, bookshops, cafes and galleries across West Cornwall.

Founded in 2010, Penzance Literary Festival is a registered charity (no. 1168422) and is run entirely by volunteers.

📷Lucy Manga - Credit: Stylist Magazine