The Book festival runs from 14 February to 7 March and was created to encourage the joy of reading within Barnsley community, and give local authors a platform to promote their work.
The celebrations consist of three weeks and four weekends of multiple activities surrounding reading and books, reinforcing 2026 as the national year of reading.
It includes events aimed at families, children and adults, meaning “there’s definitely something for everyone”.
This years festival welcomes multiple well-know authors such as historian Greg Jenner, author Ajay Close, author Pete Brown from Barnsley and many more.
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Funded by the Arts Council England, the plan initially set out a three year schedule as part of their National Portfolio Organisation programme, which the book festival was written into.
Emma Ford, 31, Libraries NPO engagement officer said: “It would be really important to try and keep it going and make it a fixed permanent [event] in Barnsley’s cultural calendar, which I think is the plan”.
The library staff are “keen to keep it going” due to the increase in recognition over the past three years, as members of Barnsley community now look forward to the festival.
Ford said: “Its really important for promoting reading and getting people together and for peoples wellbeing.”
The organisers of this event are “really trying to keep it accessible” by holding some events for and some with a small fee.
These fees help them test whether the model would work if they had to charge for tickets in the future, to keep the festival running.
Ford said: “We are not afraid to change things if we think it needs to change, but what we have created so far has been really successful”.
As the festival has gained traction, the libraries have had some authors approach them asking to be involved which is very exciting for the community as it “helps to put Barnsley on the map”.
To find out more about the festival and its programme visit: Barnsley Book Festival 2026 starts next week, with a vibrant celebration of stories, creativity, and reading.