Exciting Line-Up Revealed for Festival of Brilliant 2026

The Festival of Brilliant returns to Biddulph this summer and is going “all in” for the National Year of Reading. Announcing the first of its line-up of authors, illustrators, poets, and performers, the festival takes place at Biddulph Old Hall on 10th July for schools and community groups, and 11th July for families.

A brilliant line-up of authors will bring stories to life across the festival weekend. Former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho returns to the festival, inviting audiences to explore the power of poetry and performance. Bethan Woollvin and Jenny McLachlan will share their imaginative worlds through lively sessions, while Chris Haughton joins the programme with his much-loved storytelling style.

Lisette Auton will deliver an energetic, interactive session celebrating creativity, representation, and world-building, and Kieran Larwood invites young adventurers to test their skills in a thrilling, puzzle-filled Dungeon Runner experience. E.L. Norry will take audiences on an inspiring journey through storytelling, encouraging children to discover the stories within themselves.

Illustrators and artists will host a range of hands-on, creative sessions, and cartoonist Marc Jackson returns with his ever-popular comic workshops, teaching children how to create funny characters and bring stories to life through illustration.

Author and illustrator Matt Buckingham will lead a collaborative drawing and storytelling session, while Charlotte Rowley and Gabriella Gay will offer poetry workshops and drop-in sessions for children to explore rhyme, imagination, and creative writing.

Across the grounds of Biddulph Old Hall, festival-goers will be immersed in a world of stories through performances and installations. The Magic Lantern returns with its enchanting mix of storytelling, puppetry, and music, while Noisy Noise Noise by Working Boys Club offers a playful, interactive sound library created with and for children.

Cat and Mouse Theatre presents BOOKBOOSTER FACTORY, a high-energy, immersive theatre experience where iconic characters from children’s literature collide in a chaotic and joyful literary mash-up. Musician and author David Gibb will also bring stories to life through song and performance.

Further programme details will be announced, and there will be a selection of food and drink stalls, a mini craft market, and the enchanting gardens of Biddulph Old Hall for visitors to enjoy.

This will be the third consecutive children’s book festival, tickets are available now for Saturday 11th July 2026 at festivalofbrilliant.org (£12 supporter, £8 standard, £5 subsidised, under 3s free).

The Festival of Brilliant is supported by OUTSIDE, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Libraries, Support Staffordshire, The Island of Brilliant, The Reading Agency, BookTrust, The National Year of Reading, Staffordshire Virtual School, Staffordshire Moorland Family Hub, The Community Foundation, Your Housing, We Love the Moorlands, Stoke on Trent Lions Club, Biddulph Town Council, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Arts Council England.

Exciting Line-Up Revealed for Festival of Brilliant 2026 - created 29th April 2026