40+ Best Literary Festivals In The World 2024

Literary festivals are usually annually held literary events in a particular city that are organized in celebration of literature. Literary Festival

Literary Festival

Literary festivals are usually annually held literary events in a particular city that are organized in celebration of literature. These events attract a large numbers of writers and readers all around the world who share similar interests and ideas in literature.

Literary festivals also serve as an avenue to connect with fellow writers and readers, with some added advantage in meeting potential publishers and writers who might help one brush up one's writing skills, as well as, learn from veterans who have more experience in the writing career. 

Most of these events features storytelling, several presentations and readings by authors, promotion of books among many interesting and fun activities.

The Importance Of Literary Festivals

Literary festivals generally, serve a variety of functions. Their importance however, depends on the festival and the goals they hope to achieve.

As stated earlier, it foster more connection between writers, readers and publishers, thereby serving as a bridge for more relationship. It also helps in the promotion of books.

In addition, it offer space for public debate and deliberations.

Which is the largest literary festival in the world?

The Jaipur Literature Festival, or JLF, is considered the largest annual literary festival. The event is held in India city of Jaipur each January. It was founded in 2006.

List Of Best Literary Festivals In The World 2024

1. Berlin International Literature Festival
2. Ake Literary Festival 
3. Brooklyn Book Festival
4. Texas Book Festival
5. Buenos Aires Book Festival
6. NGC Bocas Lit Fest
7. Gaborone Book Festival: The Gaborone Book Festival 2022 is a Botswana’s leading literary festival. 
8. Cheltenham Literature Festival
9. Sydney Writer’s Festival
10. Tennessee Williams Literary Festival
11. Plum Creek Literary Festival
12. Brattleboro Literary Festival
13. Bethesda Literary Festival
14. Pat Convoy Literary Festival
15. Paper Plain Literary Festival
16. Milton Literary Festival
17. Charleston Literary Festival
18. Odu Literary Festival
19. Rose Glen Literary Festival
20. Montclair Literary Festival
21. Deckle Edge Literary Festival
22. Clemson Literary Festival
23. The Edinburgh International Book Festival
24. Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
25. Kakamega Book Festival: The Kakamega Book Festival is organized by The Kakamega Book Club. Its inaugural event was held on May 21, 2022.
26. Asmara-Addis Literary Festival (In Exile)
27. Moto Books and Arts Festival
28. Norwegian Festival of Literature
29. Gothenburg (Gotëburg) Book Fair
30. North Cornwall Book Festival
31. Macondo Literary Festival : The Macondo Literary Festival 2022 was held at the Kenya National Theatre, Nairobi from September 30 – October 2, 2022.
32. Hargeysa International Book Fair :The Hargeysa International Book Fair 2022 was a literary festival held in Somalia. The next literary event will be held in July, making it its 15th year since its inauguration.
33. DESIblitz Literature Festival
34. Wordstock - Portland Book Festival
35. Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
36. Queen’s Park Book Festival
37. Ubud Writer’s and Reader’s Festival
38. Ibom Art and Book Festival: The Ibom Art and Book Festival is organised by the Inspire Community Network. This year's event will be hosted in Uyo, Nigeria from July.
39. Doek Literary Festival
40. Swahili Literary Festival 
41. Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival
42. Cliveden Literary Festival
43. Essex Book Festival
44. ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival
45. London Literature Festival
46. Henley Literary Festival
47. PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature
48. Conrad Festival