Chester Literature Festival runs from 12 May to 14 June. That’s five weeks of talks, performances and workshops at Storyhouse, and, if you’ve never been to one of these evenings, it’s worth knowing they’re genuinely good. Not in a worthy, sit-quietly-at-the-back way. In a this-is-a-proper-night-out way.

The headline acts this year are hard to argue with. Maggie O’Farrell on 11 June is the one to book first. Lenny Henry brings his new show on 17 May. Hamza Yassin, the Strictly winner, the wildlife presenter, the man half of Chester apparently has strong feelings about, is in on 19 May. Susie Dent does words on 13 June, which is either your idea of heaven or it isn’t.

A few others worth your attention: historian Kate Williams on 14 June talking about her new royal biography Regina, William Dalrymple on 10 June for anyone interested in empire and the East India Company, and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall opening the whole thing on 12 May with a talk about fibre. Yes, fibre. He’ll make it interesting.

Chester Literature Festival has been running since 1989. This is its 14th year under Storyhouse. Past artists in residence have included Benjamin Zephaniah and Lemn Sissay.

The Garret Theatre side of the programme is worth a look too if you want something smaller. Brian Bilston on 4 June is a poet with a proper following. John Robb, punk journalist, author, Northerner of strong opinions, is on 6 June. And there’s a spoken word open mic night on 3 June if you’d rather watch locals have a go.

The festival also runs a strand of free library events that don’t require any booking. A Things We Found in Books exhibition runs from 11 May to 12 June. There’s a blackout poetry workshop on 27 May. And on 14 June, the last day of the festival, there’s a Silent Reading Hour in The Kitchen. Turn up, sit down, read. Sometimes that’s enough.

One other thing worth knowing: 2026 is the National Year of Reading. The festival leans into that, but not in an annoying way. It’s more context than campaign.

Tickets are booked per event. There’s no festival pass. Full programme at storyhouse.com.