Word Play and Poetry​: Eley Williams and Abigail Parry
2025-11-15 12:00 - 13:30 (Europe/London) | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Step into the joyfully off-kilter world of Eley Williams, one of the most original voices in contemporary fiction, as she discusses her latest collection, Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good – a whip-smart, warm-hearted exploration of language in all its slippery glory.

Williams is the author of the prize-winning short story collection Attrib. (winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and shortlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize), and the acclaimed novel The Liar’s Dictionary, a Sunday Times Book of the Year. Her writing is celebrated for its inventive wordplay, emotional insight and dazzling style – and her new collection confirms her as one of the most exciting literary stylists working today.
She’ll be in conversation with Abigail Parry, a TS Eliot-nominated poet whose collections Jinx and I Think We’re Alone Now have marked her as one of poetry’s boldest experimenters. With a background in both academia and game design, Parry’s work is known for its intellectual agility, dark humour and linguistic sparkle.
Together, they’ll dive into the mechanics and music of language, the delights of constraint and surprise, and the ways in which stories – and sentences – can trip us up and carry us away. Expect a fast-paced, funny, and mind-stretching hour from two writers at the very top of their game.
FIND OUT MORE
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.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

A Journey into Clay with Jennifer Lucy Allan
2025-11-15 14:00 - 16:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Calling all claymakers, potters, artists and lovers of the land – this is where earth and imagination meet. In her mesmerising new book Clay: A Human History, writer and broadcaster Jennifer Lucy Allan unearths the deep, resonant story of one of the world’s most ancient, tactile and transformative materials. With poetic insight and atmospheric detail, she explores how clay has shaped human hands, culture and creativity.

Travelling across the UK and beyond, Allan meets potters, artists, walkers and sound-makers, weaving together memoir, history, geology, sound and environmental observation in a book that invites us to slow down, dig deep, and pay attention to the ground beneath our feet.
In a town with rich clay beds, a proud ceramics heritage and a thriving community of makers, this promises to be a truly grounded and inspiring conversation – perfect for anyone who works with their hands, walks the land, or listens closely to the world around them.
FIND OUT MORE
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.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Ode to Joyce’ performed by Cheryl Knight.
2025-11-15 15:00 - 17:00 | The Grand
Originally conceived for Joyce Grenfell’s centenary, this presentation recreates the setting of one of Joyce’s ever-popular stage shows.
Welcome to the Bayle Music Autumn concert series.
We are delighted to present a fascinating and varied programme to keep you entertained this autumn. Full programme details are listed below this message.
Admission remains at £15 with under-21-year-olds admitted free.
This season, we are offering a combined ticket for these four concerts for just £50 – a saving of £10. Also, if you are not able to attend a particular concert, you can transfer your ticket to a friend.
You can pay for a combined ticket on the day by cash, cheque (payable to Bayle Music) or card and in advance by post with a cheque payable to Bayle Music sent to I. Gordon, 16 Bayle Court, The Parade, Folkestone. CT20 1SN. Combined tickets will be issued at the concert on 27 September.
Individual concert tickets can be purchased in advance at this website:
www.soundsfolkestone.co.uk – follow the Bayle Music link.
We cannot offer combined tickets on this site.
If there is a concert you are especially attracted to and feel inspired to offer individual sponsorship, please be in touch with Ian – 07877 407 702 or email bayleman@gmail.com
All sponsors will be acknowledged in the appropriate publicity and programme.

All concerts are at The Grand on a Saturday afternoon at 3 pm. Put the dates in your diary now!

Saturday 20 December
Grand Mansion Voices with Alex Rider (harp)
The programme will include Benjamin Britten’s evergreen ‘Ceremony of Carols’.

Sabrina Ghayour: Persiana Easy
2025-11-15 16:00 - 18:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Step into a world of spice, soul and sensational cooking with Sabrina Ghayour – the award-winning British-Iranian chef, Sunday Times bestselling author and beloved food writer hailed by the Observer as the “golden girl of Persian cookery”. Known for her bold, vibrant flavours and no-fuss approach, Sabrina has transformed the way we cook and eat Middle Eastern food at home.

In this joyful, appetite-whetting event, she introduces her latest book Persiana Easy – a celebration of unfussy recipes packed with flavour. From smoky aubergine dishes to saffron stews and sticky, irresistible desserts, these are meals you can throw together on a weeknight but that taste like a feast. Low on obscure ingredients and unnecessary steps – just clever, comforting dishes you’ll return to again and again.
With trademark humour and charm, Sabrina shares kitchen stories, essential tips, and the journey behind her much-loved Persiana series – one of the most successful and enduring Middle Eastern cookbooks of the last decade.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just dipping in your spoon, this is an event to ignite your culinary imagination. A perfect Saturday afternoon treat in the heart of Folkestone.
FIND OUT MORE
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.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Success and Other Lies: Will Young & James Cahill in Conversation
2025-11-15 18:00 - 20:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
What do we sacrifice to succeed – and what do we conceal to survive? In this bold and searching conversation, Will Young and James Cahill come together to explore queerness, creativity, and the hidden costs of a life lived in public. One is a Pop Idol winner turned bestselling author and outspoken mental health advocate; the other, a rising star of literary fiction whose novels probe power, obsession and queer identity in the art world.

Together, they’ll reflect on the pressures of performance – both personal and professional – and the delicate balancing act between visibility and vulnerability.
James’s new novel, The Violet Hour, is a darkly elegant exploration of art, desire, and the fictions we cling to when control starts to slip. Will’s latest book, Be Yourself and Happier: The A-Z of Wellbeing, is a raw, often funny account of grief, healing and the messy path to self-acceptance.
Expect a rich, intimate and provocative exchange between two men about re-shaping identities in the spotlight, offering insight, humour and emotional honesty in equal measure.
FIND OUT MORE
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.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Harry Baker: Wonderful!
2025-11-15 20:00 - 22:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Don’t miss this high-energy, soul-lifting night with Harry Baker – World Poetry Slam Champion, viral TED Talk star, and one of the UK’s most captivating spoken word performers. Coming to Folkestone for one-night only as part of the Book Festival.

In Wonderful!, Harry delivers a fast-paced, feel-everything mix of joy, humour and jaw-dropping wordplay. From dinosaurs and falafel-spoons to the unexpected beauty of being alive, this is spoken word at its most entertaining, moving and life-affirming.
Harry’s performances are legendary – not just because he’s a genius with rhyme and rhythm, but because he speaks directly to the moment we’re living in, with warmth, wit and wild imagination. His shows leave people buzzing, emotional, glad they stepped into his orbit.
FIND OUT MORE
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.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Monisha Rajesh: Journeys by Starlight and Steam
2025-11-16 12:00 - 14:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
All aboard for an unforgettable series of train rides – with one extraordinary storyteller. Join award-winning travel writer Monisha Rajesh as she takes us on a lyrical, laughter-filled journey through her latest book, Moonlight Express: Around the World By Night Train – a beautifully observed account of navigating the globe after dark.

Following the runaway success of Around the World in 80 Trains, Monisha returns to the rails to explore the renaissance of sleeper trains: from Finland’s polar nights and Norway’s midnight sun, to Indian twilight and Peruvian dawns. With warmth, wit and curiosity, she brings to life the people she meets, the landscapes she crosses and the unique magic of moving slowly through the quiet hours.
This is more than just a travel talk – it’s a celebration of wonder, wanderlust and the slow romance of the railway. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a daydream traveller, Monisha’s stories will transport you. Come for the trains – stay for the tales that connect us across time zones, cultures and continents.
FIND OUT MORE
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.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

The Art of Good Anger with Sam Parker
2025-11-16 14:00 - 16:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
What if your anger isn’t something to fear – but a tool for clarity, courage and change? In a town like Folkestone – creative, complex, and full of people pushing for better – anger can be a vital emotional signal. But too often we’re told to stay quiet, stay nice, stay calm.

In this powerful, eye-opening event, journalist and author Sam Parker invites us to rethink everything we’ve been taught about rage, drawn from his book Good Anger: How Rethinking Rage Can Change Our Lives. Sam explores how it shows up in our bodies, our relationships, our community – and how, if we learn to listen, it can lead us somewhere better.
From burnout to everyday aggravations, family frustrations to political fury, this conversation speaks directly to those feeling stuck, silenced or exhausted by the pressure to keep it all in. It’s about owning your voice, finding your edge, and learning how to use anger not to explode – but to evolve. This is for anyone in Folkestone who’s tired of bottling it up.
FIND OUT MORE
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.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk
Book now

Labour Under Starmer with Gabriel Pogrund & Patrick Maguire
2025-11-16 16:00 - 18:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Last year, Folkestone made history – electing Tony Vaughan as its first-ever Labour MP after more than 70 years of Conservative rule. But earlier this year, Kent (along with many other parts of the country) swung hard to Reform. What happened? Where did the energy go? And is Keir Starmer’s Labour already losing touch with the people who gave it a chance?

In this urgent and eye-opening conversation, award-winning Sunday Times journalists Gabriel Pogrund and Patrick Maguire dig into the power plays, silence, spin and brutal discipline at the heart of Starmer’s Labour Party – as revealed in their acclaimed new book Get In. With access to leaked memos, private messages and over 200 insider interviews, they offer a forensic look at a party desperate to win – and the risks it’s taken to do so.
With Reform gaining traction, trust in politics at rock bottom, and voters in Kent demanding more than cautious promises, the big question is: can Labour hold on – or will its hunger to govern cost it its soul? Expect gripping revelations, sharp analysis, and the inside story of a political moment that’s still unfolding – right here, right now, on our doorstep.
FIND OUT MORE
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.
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.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Dr Steven Parissien: Cheers, Britain!
2025-11-16 18:00 - 20:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
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?

Join cultural historian Dr Steven Parissien for an intoxicating journey through Britain’s long and messy relationship with alcohol. In his brilliant new book Another Round: A Post-War History of Britain in 12 Strong Drinks, Parissien uncorks the drinks that shaped generations – and reveals how what we drink (and how we drink it) tells the story of Britain itself.
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!
FIND OUT MORE
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.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT
2025-11-16 19:30 - 22:00 | Leas Cliff Hall
Tina, You Gotta See Her

An electrifying celebration of the undisputed Queen of rock-n-roll, What’s Love Gotta Do With It? – The Tina Turner Story is the ultimate night out for all fans of the iconic performer! Taking you on a whistlestop tour through her 50-year career, expect to hear all the hits, including Private Dancer, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Proud Mary, River Deep, Nutbush City Limits, Simply The Best and many more.
Hailing from Nutbush, a small city in rural Tennessee, Tina Turner (real name Anna May Bullock) first found fame in the 50s and 60s, alongside her first husband Ike Turner. At the time, she was known for hits like River Deep and Proud Mary, but it was her later emancipation from Ike and 80s career comeback that lauched her status as one of the greatest artists of all time. Known for her high-energy shows and inimitable vocals, 1983’s Private Dancer saw her score her first solo No.1 and cement her legacy forever.
BOOK TICKETS

WORKSHOP: Writing Sex and Desire with Leone Ross
2025-11-17 11:00 - 13:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Desire is messy. Tender. Dangerous. Quiet. An unexpectedly wet kiss in the kitchen. A date gone very well indeed. Great sex thrills us, undoes us, comforts and sustains us – and when written well, it can stay with the reader forever.

Join Leone Ross, award-winning author, editor and literary force, for a fearless, freeing writing workshop that dives deep into lust, longing and intimacy. Longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction for her sensual, genre-defying novel This One Sky Day, Leone is celebrated for her sharp insight, dazzling imagination and emotional depth – and in this rare writing workshop, she’ll help you unlock your own secrets.
This isn’t just about writing provocatively (though there’ll be plenty of that). It’s about finding the right language for power, tenderness, shame and connection. How do we navigate bodies on the page? What does sex writing reveal about your characters’ darker and lighter selves – or yours? What happens if we get it wrong… or gloriously, unexpectedly right?
Expect bold prompts, juicy discussion, and a space that’s both safe and electric. Leone will ask you to take sex seriously – and gently push you beyond your comfort zone.
FIND OUT MORE
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.

boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Lisa Jewell: Queen of Crime - Folkestone Book Festival
2025-11-22 20:00 - 22:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Lisa Jewell is one of the biggest names in dark psychological thrillers – and she’s coming to Folkestone. The UK’s most addictive writers, whose every novel dominates the charts and gets readers texting “OMG” at 2am, will take to the Quarterhouse stage for one night only – to talk all things murder, mystery and suspense.

Jewell’s new suspenseful slow-burn thriller Don’t Let Him In is already making waves – a tense, chilling story of secrets, blurred boundaries and a man who seems too good to be true.
From Then She Was Gone to None of This is True, Jewell has turned the everyday into the unforgettable – crafting terrifyingly plausible tales that burrow under your skin and don’t let go. Her genius lies not just in shocking twists, but in plots that hit dangerously close to home.
Don’t miss this chance to go behind the scenes with the queen of the modern thriller. Hear how she builds suspense, where her darkest ideas come from, and what it takes to grip millions of readers around the world. Expect chills, gasps and revelations.
FIND OUT MORE
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.

Book this event online or email the box office at boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

David Matthews – Talk
2025-11-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Kollectiv, 69 Old High Street, CT20 1RN
Folkestone New Music
Talk
Artists
David Matthews talks about his music.With a singular body of work spanning almost 60 years, David Matthews has established an international reputation as one of the leading symphonists of our time.
‘Few other living composers can deploy the classical virtues of clarity, tradition and restraint to such cogent ends’ (Tempo)

Ticket Prices
£10 on the door, or online

Booking
www.tickettailor.com/events/folkestonenewmusic/1701669

Sara Pascoe back with 'I'm A Strange Gloop'
2025-11-30 19:30 - 21:30 | Leas Cliff Hall
Sara Pascoe’s star has steadily risen since the early 2010s, with frequent appearances on TV comedy panel shows, podcasts, hosting duties on BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee and more putting her squarely in the mainstream. See her live on stage in 2025 where her unabashed and hilarious style will be on display once more in the brand new show ‘I Am A Strange Gloop’.
She first perfomed stand-up in 2007; however, but it was 2010’s solo show at the Edinburgh Festival, Sara Pascoe Vs Her Ego, that put her on the critical and public radar. In addition to her hectic touring schedule, Pascoe is also an accomplished actress, having appeared in comedy shows such as The Thick Of It, Being Human, and W1A alongside publishing two books, including The Sunday Times bestseller Sex Power Money.
Tickets from £31

Lotte Betts-Dean (mezzo-soprano) & Brett Dean (viola)
2025-12-04 19:30 - 21:30 | The Grand
Promoter
Folkestone New Music

ConcertArtists
Lotte Betts-Dean (mezzo)
Brett Dean (viola)
Programme
…perform music by Brett Dean
Brett Dean is one of the world’s leading figures in contemporary music. His ‘heart-wrenchingly beautiful’ opera ‘Hamlet’ has received acclaimed performances at Glyndebourne, the Metropolitan Opera in New York and in Sydney. For over fourteen years he was also a viola player in the Berlin Philharmonic.
Lotte Betts-Dean (his daughter) has been praised for her ‘irrepressible sense of drama and unmissable, urgent musicality’ (Guardian).
Ticket Prices
£15 on the door or online

Booking
www.tickettailor.com/events/folkestonenewmusic/1670783

Hip Hop House Band: 10 Years of To Pimp a Butterfly
2025-12-06 20:00 - 22:00 | The Quarterhouse, CT20 1BN
Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly with the Hip Hop House Band live at Quarterhouse.

The Hip Hop House Band has been raising the roof with high-energy performances since 2017. Known for their electrifying stage presence and serious musical talent, they bring the biggest beats and boldest bars from across hip hop’s history, from old school to new school and everything in between.
For this special show, the band pays tribute to Kendrick Lamar’s groundbreaking 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly. This critically acclaimed release changed the face of hip hop with tracks like King Kunta, Alright and The Blacker the Berry. Now you can hear them performed live by one of the UK’s most dynamic bands.
Made up of some of London’s top session musicians, the Hip Hop House Band has performed at major venues across the country, including Wembley Stadium, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Albert Hall. Between them, they’ve featured on BBC Radio 1, 2 and 3, appeared on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, MTV and Sky Arts, and recorded with artists such as Becky Hill, MNEK, Pixie Lott, Ella Eyre and Ella Henderson. Their work has been streamed over 150 million times.
Whether you’re a dedicated Kendrick fan, a hip hop head or just love a night of brilliant live music, this one’s for you.
So if you don’t know, now you know.
Doors Open 7.00p.m.

Age Restrictions
18 Years + U/25 ID required
Tickets
Early Bird: £16
Standard: £18
Door : £20
Book this event online or email the box office at boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk

Sounds Folkestone Young Strings Christmas Concert!
2025-12-07 15:00 - 17:00 | The Grand
Sounds Folkestone Young Strings

Type of event
Concert
Artists
The wonderful Sounds Folkestone Young Strings show off their latest programme.
Directed by Floriane Peycelon
(Also: SFYS will be performing a 15 minute Christmas slot in Folkestone Symphony’s Christmas Family Concert on Saturday 13 December 2025 – 3pm at Holy Trinity Church, Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 2HQ
Ticket Prices
Free no need to book.

Rolf Hind – Piano
2025-12-11 19:30 - 21:00 | The Grand
Promoter
Folkestone New Music
Concert
Artists

Rolf Hind has given recitals at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House and appeared seven times at the BBC Proms.

Programme

To celebrate Pierre Boulez’s centenary Rolf will play two important Boulez works: Incises and Notations.
Interleaved with these he will play music commissioned to celebrate Boulez’s 75th birthday in 2000. Rolf gave the world premieres of these pieces (by Berio, Birtwistle, Unsuk Chin, Jonathan Harvey, Kurtag, York Höller, Toshio Hosokawa, Wolfgang Rihm and Magnus Lindberg) in the presence of Pierre Boulez.

Ticket Prices
£15 on the door or online

Booking
www.tickettailor.com/events/folkestonenewmusic/1670785

The High Flying Story of Peter Pan
2025-12-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Leas Cliff Hall
Visit Neverland!
It’s time for a swashbuckling panto! Complete with jokes for the whole family, catchy songs, spectacular costumes and all the pantomime magic you’d expect, join Peter Pan and Wendy as they challenge the nefarious Captain Hook for freedom of Neverland, alongside pirates, mermaids and of course the Lost Boys! It’s going to be one hooking good time!
What’s The Story?
Cheeky yet kind-hearted Peter transports Wendy and the Darlings away from the real world and into the faraway Neverland, undertaking a series of unforgettable adventures with the Lost Boys, Tinkerbell and Captain Hook the nefarious pirate. Can this unlikely band save Neverland from Hook’s clutches – with a little imagination, fairy dust and fun, we’re sure they can!

12th – 31st December

Folkestone Symphony Christmas Concert
2025-12-13 15:00 - 17:00 | Holy Trinity Church, Sandagte Road, Folkestone, CT20 2HQ
Concert

Grand Mansion Voices with Alex Rider (harp)
2025-12-20 15:00 - 17:00 | The Grand
The programme will include Benjamin Britten’s evergreen ‘Ceremony of Carols’.
Welcome to the Bayle Music Autumn concert series.
We are delighted to present a fascinating and varied programme to keep you entertained this autumn. Full programme details are listed below this message.
Admission remains at £15 with under-21-year-olds admitted free.
This season, we are offering a combined ticket for these four concerts for just £50 – a saving of £10. Also, if you are not able to attend a particular concert, you can transfer your ticket to a friend.
You can pay for a combined ticket on the day by cash, cheque (payable to Bayle Music) or card and in advance by post with a cheque payable to Bayle Music sent to I. Gordon, 16 Bayle Court, The Parade, Folkestone. CT20 1SN. Combined tickets will be issued at the concert on 27 September.
Individual concert tickets can be purchased in advance at this website:
www.soundsfolkestone.co.uk – follow the Bayle Music link.
We cannot offer combined tickets on this site.
If there is a concert you are especially attracted to and feel inspired to offer individual sponsorship, please be in touch with Ian – 07877 407 702 or email bayleman@gmail.com
All sponsors will be acknowledged in the appropriate publicity and programme.
