The Penzance Literary Festival reaches its 15th year in 2026, running 7-11 July across the town’s cultural venues - the Acorn Theatre, Morrab Library, and the Exchange. It bills itself as the friendliest LitFest in the West, and the programme spans more than 50 talks, workshops and poetry events.
The 2026 headliners are led by Dawn French, in conversation with theatre and film director Michael Grandage about her novel ENOUGH. Festival patron Patrick Gale discusses his new novel Love Lane and its family history, Guardian television critic Lucy Mangan talks about Bookish, and cookery writer Felicity Cloake appears with Orlando Murrin on the move from recipes to fiction. Crime fiction is well represented by Chris Brookmyre, Harriet Tyce, Simon Mason and Emylia Hall, while the opening show, Kernewek Live! with the Kernow King, celebrates Cornwall and the Cornish language. Alongside the author talks there are writing workshops, guided literary walks around Penzance, and the returning LitFest quiz.
In the run-up, the National Poetry Library brings its mobile unit to Penzance promenade on 6 and 7 July with free poetry activities open to all.
Visitor Information
Dates: 7-11 July 2026, with the free promenade poetry unit on 6-7 July.
Cost: Tickets from £6, booked at pzlitfest.co.uk, by phone on 01736 363545, or at the Acorn Theatre box office. The promenade activities are free.
Getting there: Penzance is the terminus of the Great Western main line, with direct trains from London Paddington and CrossCountry services from Bristol and Birmingham. The station has step-free access and is a short walk from all the festival venues, which sit within walking distance of each other. Wharf Road car park, beside the station, is the main waterfront parking.
Family friendly: Yes - the free promenade poetry activities suit all ages, though most author talks are aimed at adults.
Where to Stay
Penzance makes a natural base, with the venues clustered in the town centre. Pogles Cottage is a granite one-bedroom cottage with a courtyard garden, central and dog-friendly. For a group, 21 Alverton Street is a three-bedroom cottage within walking distance of the seafront and railway station, also dog-friendly. Browse more holiday cottages in Penzance.
