Which drinks define us? From gin palaces to tequila shots, tonic fads to teetotalism – what do our choices say about class, identity and change? And in a town like Folkestone – built on bars, beer gardens and beachside boozers – how does alcohol shape who we are?
From royal rituals to working-class pubs, 1950s cocktail parties to 90s club culture, this is a sparkling social history filled with flavour, nostalgia and sharp cultural insight – all served with a twist of humour. With Britain holding a place in the global top five for alcohol consumption since 1700, one thing’s clear: the story of this nation can’t be told without a trip to the bar. Cheers!
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Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.