By KLTV Newsdesk –

The Huddersfield Literature Festival has revealed the latest exciting additions to HuddLitFest25, taking place from 8 – 18 May 2025.

Lorraine Kelly Arrives!

An exciting pre-festival event featuring beloved TV icon Lorraine Kelly CBE, is set to take place on Saturday 8 March.

The occasion will celebrate the paperback release of her debut novel, The Island Swimmer, a Sunday Times bestseller exploring family reconciliation and self-discovery.

Attendees can expect an uplifting evening in the company of one of Britain’s most cherished broadcasters, timed to coincide with International Women’s Day.

Kelly, renowned for her four-decade career in breakfast television, will appear at Huddersfield’s Lawrence Batley Theatre from 6:30 pm–7:30 pm.

Tickets for the event are priced at £25 (£20 concessions), with age guidance set at 14+.

Early Bird Deadline for Philippa Gregory Event

Fans of historical fiction are urged to secure tickets for an evening with award-winning author Philippa Gregory before the early bird offer ends this Sunday.

Over 130 tickets have already been sold for her 10 March talk at The North Light in Armitage Bridge, with fewer than 70 remaining.

Early bird tickets are available until 11:59 pm on Sunday, and start at £7.50 for admission or £16 including a copy of Gregory’s latest book.

Diverse Programme Highlights

The festival’s expanded lineup includes a mix of in-person and online events.

On 9 May, author Daisy Buchanan will host Ready Yourself Happy, a virtual discussion on literature’s role in combating anxiety, chaired by Capital Xtra’s Jojo Silva.

Tickets for the online event are priced at £2.

Aspiring writers can join Okechukwu Nzelu’s Writing Setting workshop on 10 May at the Lawrence Batley Theatre’s TEN space.

The session, exploring techniques to craft immersive fictional worlds, offers early bird tickets from £8.

Mystery enthusiasts are in for a treat the same day, as authors Yvonne Battle-Felton and Lisa Rookes delve into their latest novels—Curdle Creek and The Village—during a 3 pm event at the theatre’s Cellar venue.

Early bird tickets start at £3.

Bestselling author Joanne Harris will unveil Vianne, the origin story of her iconic Chocolat protagonist, on 17 May.

The event promises insights into Vianne Rocher’s early life in Marseille, with tickets available from £10.

Community Support

Amid significant funding challenges, organisers have issued a plea for public support.

With this year’s budget reduced by a third, the not-for-profit festival urges locals to contribute donations to sustain its diverse programming.

Donations will directly fund family-friendly events, workshops, and talks across Huddersfield.

You can pledge your support on their Localgiving page.

Booking Details

Tickets for all HuddLitFest25 events are available via the festival’s official website.

Early bird discounts apply to select events, with concessions for students, seniors, and University of Huddersfield staff.

For further information and to secure tickets, visit huddlitfest.org.uk.