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10 of the best… inclusive kids’ book events you should know about

By Fabia Turner

Looking for ways to get your children hooked on reading, while being sure book events you attend feel welcoming and diverse? These 10 inclusive literary festivals from across the UK are offering all that and more.

From grassroots community events to world-renowned children’s festivals, we’ve handpicked 10 of the best inclusive literary events for all children and families in the UK.

Whether your child is an avid or reluctant reader, there’s something here to suit their needs, including interactive workshops, storytelling, book signings, and plenty of all-around fun. We have listed the events in date order where possible, so do check them out and start planning your visit today!

1. Hay Festival

Location: Hay-on-Wye, Wales

What’s on offer: with its own dedicated Family Garden and a range of author talks, storytelling tents and hands-on craft, cooking and music workshops, Hay Festival makes literature come alive for children. This year’s exciting programme features Michael Rosen and Frank Cotrell-Boyce. Winning authors of the 2025 IBC Awards, Mel Nyoko and Adeola Sokunbi, will also be there for interactive family storytimes, draw-alongs, and book signings at the Hay bookshop. The bookshop will also have a dedicated Inclusive Books for Children section, showcasing our top-reviewed books of the year.

Why we love it: set within the stunning Welsh countryside and known for being accessible and nature-inspired, this renowned international literary festival runs a rich and inclusive family programme during May half-term. And with camping nearby, it’s also potentially a low-cost family holiday destination with a cultural vibe.

Next festival: 22 May–1 June 2025

Age suitability: 3+ years

Website: hayfestival.com

2. Festival of Libraries

Location: network of local libraries, Manchester and Greater Manchester

What’s on offer: a brilliant programme of free, family-friendly events including author talks, storytelling, craft activities and interactive performances. Events are hosted at various libraries across the city, bringing the festival right into the heart of local communities.

Why we love it: Manchester's Festival of Libraries is a bright spot in a time of widespread library cuts. It’s a true celebration of creativity and inclusivity, offering events that welcome everyone. Plus, everything is free, making it a brilliant option for families.

Age suitability: events are tailored for a wide range of ages, with specific sessions for early years, primary-age children and teens

Next festival: 4–8 June 2025

Website: manchester.gov.uk/libraries

3. The Week Junior (at Barnes Children's Book Festival)

Location: various locations, West London

What’s on offer: originally a festival in its own right, The Week Junior will be partnering with the Barnes Children’s Literary Festival for the second year running. As yet, the 2025 programme has not been announced, but The Week Junior’s offering is currently set to include their ever-popular journalism workshops for budding young writers and a fun debating session.

Why we love it: The Week Junior is aimed at older children aged 8 to 14, which is an especially important transition period when children’s love for books often needs a boost.

Next events: 21–22 June 2025

Age suitability: 8+ years

Website: The Week

4. Bradford Literature Festival

Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire

What’s on offer: this 10-day festival is a city-wide celebration of books, culture and creativity, with a major focus on inclusion. Many family events take place at the weekend, are free to book and don’t require tickets. The Family Fun Days at City Park are a particular highlight. They also run a generous concessionary tickets initiative, covering a wide range of individual circumstances. All host venues are accessible.

Why we love it: one of the UK’s most inclusive festivals, Bradford Literature Festival offers everything from bilingual/interactive storytelling and craft workshops to face painting and author talks. With most events free, it’s designed to reflect the city’s diversity and is a standout choice for families.

Next festival: 27 June–6 July 2025

Age suitability: 3+ years

Website: bradfordlitfest.co.uk

5. Bath Children’s Literature Festival

Location: Bath, Somerset

What’s on offer: as Europe’s largest dedicated children’s book festival, Bath Literature Festival boasts a wide range of authors and illustrators and an accessible events programme.

Why we love it: beyond big-name authors, this festival goes the extra mile for inclusion. Look out for free or discounted events, book giveaways and specially designed activities for SEND children. It’s an enriching experience for every family!

Next festival: 26 September–5 October 2025

Age suitability: 3+ years

Website: bathfestivals.org.uk

Image: Chris Athanasiou

6. Imagine Children’s Festival

Location: central London

What’s on offer: an 11-day celebration of books, music, art and performance at the iconic Southbank Centre — created ‘by kids, for kids’.

Why we love it: although it offers way more than literary activities, we had to include the Imagine Festival as it excels for accessibility, with BSL-interpreted shows, relaxed performances and sensory-friendly programming. It’s a brilliant way to explore books in a truly inclusive and immersive cultural space that makes days out with the kids easy.

Next festival: February 2026

Age suitability: 3+ years

Website: southbankcentre.co.uk

7. Black British Book Festival

Location: central London and Manchester

What’s on offer: this relatively new but dynamic, biennial festival has a dedicated children’s zone, offering storytime sessions with Black authors, and illustrator workshops, all of which reflect the richness and diversity within Black-British culture.

Why we love it: it’s an empowering first-of-its-kind festival focused on helping Black children see themselves represented in literature and championing Black creatives. Tickets are normally free!

Age suitability: 6+ years

Next festival: March and October (TBC)

Website: blackbritishbookfestival.com

8. Free Books Festival

Location: various locations, London

What’s on offer: this 3-day, London-based festival features a free bookshop, reading club lounge, creative workshops and talks, book signings, and much more for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Why we love it: Free Books Campaign is a non-profit created by researcher and historian Sofia Akel, who became concerned about the increased library closures during COVID-19. Since then, her spin-off, annual festival provides free events and books by people of colour to all festival-goers, including children.

Next festival: 2026 (TBC)

Age suitability: 6+ years

Website: freebookscampaign.co.uk

9. Children’s Literature Festivals

Location: nationwide and Ireland

What’s on offer: a pop-up literary festival, with regular events in Oldham, Blackburn and Selby, bringing a diverse selection of authors and illustrators and book-themed activities directly to underserved communities

Why we love it: founded by author Christina Gabbitas, this initiative brings books to places that often miss out. Children enjoy readings, writing competitions and meet-the-author/illustrator events — all free and designed to inspire right from the early years. Regular authors in the festival's line-up include SF Said, Louie Stowell and Chitra Soundar.

Next events: various dates and locations (check their website for updates)

Age suitability: 3+ years

Website: childrensliteraturefestivals.com

10. Stepping Into Stories

Location: Herne Hill, London

What’s on offer: this week-long South London gem boasts creative performances, workshops with award-winning authors/illustrators and competitions that reach children from all backgrounds — especially those who may not otherwise have access to events like this. With a ‘pay what you can’ model, it’s a joyful kid lit fest that all families can enjoy, whatever their budget.

Why we love it: now in its sixth year and led by an all-female creative team, this community-driven, children’s literature festival focuses on diversity, inclusion and accessibility, offering a broad range of fun and interactive book-themed activities.

Next festival: February 2026 (TBC)

Age suitability: 3+ years

Website: steppingintostories.org

Bonus update!

Departing from our usual format, we’ve added ONE extra book festival below as it is just TOO important to leave out!

Empathy Day Festival

Location: online

What’s on offer: if you are not able to get out and about with your kids for whatever reason, this 10-day, online, national book festival takes place in June, ending on Empathy Day on 12 June. The free festival, which focuses on building empathy through reading books, includes digital activities, a nationwide assembly hosted this year by Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, brilliant authors and illustrators events, and more!

Why we love it: the flexible menu of downloadable resources or online events lets you select whatever material suits your kids and home setting. There is also a diverse range of authors and illustrators involved in the event, which makes it truly inclusive. Families can register for a free activity pack on the Empathy Day website.

Next festival: 2–12 June 2025

Age suitability: events are tailored for a wide range of ages, with specific sessions for early years and primary-age children up to age 11

Website: empathylab.uk/festival

Whether you’re in London, Leeds or Lincolnshire, these 10 brilliant, inviting events prove there is plenty of inclusive book fun to be had right across the UK.

These wonderful festivals don’t just showcase brilliant books — they celebrate every child’s right to see themselves in books they enjoy.

Featured hero and carousel image: Adam Tatton-Reid

Fabia Turner is Head of Content at IBC and the Founder of the Jericho Prize for Children’s Writing. She is also a former primary teacher and educational book editor with a love of children’s literature.

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