A spectacular new three-day festival is set to fill the streets of Buxton with stories, creativity and vibrant community spirit this summer. The free, drop-in event called Buxton for Books will launch from Friday, June 12, 2026 to Sunday, June 14, 2026. Evolving from previous literary celebrations in the area, the expanded festival will showcase the rich reading and storytelling culture of the High Peak and North Derbyshire.
Festival Highlights
The exciting weekend is designed for all ages, inviting families, schools, readers, and writers to explore a lively programme of activities across the town. Visitors can look forward to a diverse line-up featuring creative workshops, independent book stalls, author talks and live poetry performances. At its heart, the event aims to champion regional voices and encourage people to discover the unique stories that shape their local communities.
Louise Brookes of the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust said: “Buxton for Books is a joyful celebration of the stories, voices and creativity that make our region so special. We want everyone - from schoolchildren discovering new authors for the first time to lifelong readers - to feel welcome, inspired and part of something shared. This festival is about community, imagination and the simple pleasure of enjoying books together. We can’t wait to welcome people across the weekend.”
Friday: Schools Day and Historical Talk
The festivities will kick off on Friday with a dedicated Schools Day featuring book-themed workshops led by local authors and educators. Schools wishing to take part can contact: learn@buxtoncrescenttrust.org. On Friday evening, local historian Julian Cohen will host an engaging free talk in the Pump Room about the remarkable historical residents of the town.
Saturday: Town-Wide Book Hunt
Adventure awaits on Saturday with a massive town-wide book hunt where hidden novels will contain special vouchers for independent local bookshops.
Sunday: Craft Workshop and Open Mic
Craft lovers can drop by on Sunday afternoon to learn the beautiful Japanese art of furoshiki fabric book-wrapping using recycled materials. The entire weekend will wrap up with a relaxing and inclusive spoken word open mic night hosted by the Buxton Spoken Word Group.
Explore Buxton’s Bookish Charm
Organisers are encouraging visitors to explore the area's charm, with more than 18 unique bookshops and quiet reading spots to discover across the town. While most of the weekend events are completely free to enjoy, optional donations are welcome to help support the charitable work of the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust. Avid readers can find the full day-by-day programme and booking details by visiting the official Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust website.
Location: Buxton in Derbyshire.
