Cheltenham Literature Festival Free Events

About

For 2023, over 25% of the events hosted by the Cheltenham Literature Festival are free! With more than one hundred free talks, performances and workshops taking place across the ten days of the Festival.

 

VOICEBOX

VOICEBOX is back for its third year, bringing you the best and brightest young talent in a vibrant series of events. The full programme can be viewed here, while some highlights include:

VOICEBOX Laughs: Friday 06, 9 - 10pm

Grab a drink and get ready for laugh-out-loud stand-up from Alex Mason, and fresh from Edinburgh Fringe, Daman Bamrah and Ted Hill. 

Body Politics & Feminist Invoicing: Saturday 07, 4.30 - 6.15pm

Writer Monika Radojevic, author and mental health campaigner Poorna Bell and illustrator and feminist taboo-tackler Hazel Mead consider the future of body inclusivity.

Fats Timbo, Main Character Energy: Sunday 08, 2.15 - 3pm

TikTok megastar and comedian Fats Timbo is here to show you that you are the hero your story needs.

 

The Huddle

Whether you’re after stimulating talks during the day or you fancy great entertainment and music in the evening, The Huddle in the Festival Town Feast Café is here to host free events celebrating writing from close to home and around the globe. Full programme here.

The Music Works Presents... Friday 06, 7.30 - 8.30pm

Grab a drink and enjoy live music from talented local musicians ahead of your evening events. 

Game of Tomes: Sunday 08, 6.30 - 7.30pm

Join comedian Shirley Halse and pun legends Jelly Armchair for the world’s first literary gameshow.

Black Artists Shaping the World: Friday 13, 4 – 4.30pm

Celebrate the genius of Nigerian sound artists, Sudanese painters and Afrofuturist-inspired performance artists with Sharna Jackson.

 

The Wildwood

From walk about performances and arts and crafts, to mystery trails and storytelling in the story shack. The Wildwood free family events and activities are the perfect choice to keep the little ones entertained. View the full programme here.

Trickster Tales, Myths and Legends: Story Shack, Saturday 07, 20 min story sessions at: 10am, 11.20am, 12.50pm, 2.10pm

Jump into African and Caribbean tales with storyteller Wendy Shearer. 

Woodland Wisps: The Wild Wood, Sunday 08, 30 min story sessions at: 11am, 12.30pm, 1.45pm, 3.15pm

Step into an enchanted world of wonder, as storytelling wisps share tales of potions, pixies and magical powers.

Interview with Cleopatra: Story Shack, Sunday 15, 1.30–1.50pm, Ages 8+

What would you ask Cleopatra? Meet author and time-traveller Andy Seed as he reveals the good, the bad, and the unexpected about past rulers.