- 28 May -30 June 2025
- Art
- Storytelling
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Are You Sitting Comfortably? Troll Swap Fun!
Join Leigh Hodgkinson for giant drawings and fun crafts, with some storytelling in between. Leigh writes and illustrates picture books for children and is art director and co-creator of a new animated show called "Olobob Top" for CBeebies. Read more
- Music
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Traditional Stories From Africa
Listen to traditional African Stories by Efua Sey Korbi through a magical journey of music and dance, stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. A fun and interactive storytelling session for all ages. Read more
- CANCELLED
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Pop-Up Storytelling Armchair
For this year’s Essex Book Festival, Age UK Essex are putting on a series of Pop-Up Storytelling Armchairs for the young and old, which will appear at various venues across the county. A real treat for book lovers of all ages to share their passion for reading. Read more
- Storytelling
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Heroes and Villains
Come with an open mind and leave with a new character created from your own imagination. Using fun and innovative techniques, Syd Moore, Essex Book Festival Writer-in-Residence, will help you unleash your creativity to develop a fictional character, give them personality, unveil their greatest fear, heartfelt wishes and darkest secret. Read more
- Fiction
- For Writers
- Non-fiction
- Poetry
- Storytelling
- Workshop
Essex Authors Day
This exciting day of seminars and workshops brings together Essex-based authors, writers and aspiring writers. Listen to author readings at the Pop Up Podium, pick up top tips, meet other writers, and find out more about getting published and publicising your book. Read more
- Fiction
- Non-fiction
- Poetry
- Storytelling
Pop-up Podium: Meet the Authors
A fascinating and enlightening day for all book-lovers. Visit our Pop-up Podium and meet a whole host of Essex based writers and published authors. Talk to them about their work and inspirations, and listen to pop-up readings through the day. Read more
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Pop-Up Storytelling Armchair
For this year’s Essex Book Festival, Age UK Essex are putting on a series of Pop-Up Storytelling Armchairs for the young and old, which will appear at various venues across the county. A real treat for book lovers of all ages to share their passion for reading. Read more
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Our Natural World Storytelling hour
From Ants, Bees and Cranes to Whales, Yellow butterflies and Zebras, this storytelling hour involves not only listening to stories, but also making up stories about creatures great and small in our natural world. Led by award-winning shoildren’s author Wendy Constance. Read more
- Art
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Tides and Tales: Days Like These
Join us for a day of water and seaside themed family fun at Jaywick Martello Tower, when artists Close and Remote launch their new exhibition Days Like These: the world’s very first 360o Watercolour Virtual Reality Tour of Jaywick Sands. Read more
- Music
- Poetry
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
All Aboard the Boat that Rocked
Calling all on board the LV18 in Harwich Quay for a pirate radio revival, nautical tales, and shanty songs on deck. Below deck, the intimate and magical Live Poetry Jukebox will be waiting for you. Suitable for all ages. Read more
- Art
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Oh, The Places We’ll Go!
Come and explore the theme of journeys, adventures and places around the world and in our imaginations. Drop-in for our Pop Up Storytelling Armchair, hear traditional tales from Africa with Djembe drumming, try your hand at Chinese calligraphy, and wrap your tongue around different languages with bilingual storytelling. Suitable for ages 4+ Read more
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Rosie Sandler – Agatha Oddly
Agatha Oddly has been a detective for as long as she can remember – she’s just been waiting for her first big case. And nothing gets bigger than saving the City of London from strange goings-on. With a secret key that gives her access to a whole hidden side of London, Agatha is perfectly poised to solve any mystery. Read more
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Pop-Up Storytelling Armchair
Our Pop-Up Storytelling Armchair will be at Firstsite, Colchester on Saturday 14 March as part of our PLACE weekend. A super comfy treat for book lovers young and old to enjoy their favourite stories out loud. Read more
- Discussion
- Festival Finale
- Fiction
- For Writers
- In Conversation
- In partnership
- In person
- Non-fiction
- Outside
- Storytelling
- The Children's University
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Essex Book Camp
Join in the fun at the Essex Book Camp With a huge range of events for all ages, from author events with the likes of Good Morning Britain’s Dr Hilary Jones through to our fabulous storytelling yurt; woodland crafts and meditation walks; drop-in family yoga sessions and more, Cressing Temple Barns is the place to be this August Bank Holiday Sunday. Free Drop-In Activities for all ages we just need one large image of Shane Ibbs telling stories for this… Read more
- Festival Finale
- In Conversation
- In person
- Residency
- Storytelling
Building Imaginary Worlds : Life Made Magic – Change of venue –
Following her week-long residency at Talliston House and Gardens, Britain’s most extraordinary house, writer and storyteller Glenys Newton chats to author John Tarrow about his own extraordinary twenty-five year journey transforming a semi- detached ex-council house in Great Dunmow into a wonderland of inspirational rooms and locations, each set in a different time and place. This event will now take place in the Storytelling Tent due to circumstances beyond our control! Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Crime Fiction
- For Writers
- FREE
- In partnership
- Outside
- Storytelling
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Criminally Good Day
Crime-writer event, writing workshops, children's workshops, free drop-in activities, story-telling, acorn-planting and so much more... Read more
- CANCELLED
- Outside
- Storytelling
Cancelled – Salty Tales on the Harwich Harbour Ferry
Take the Harwich Harbour Ferry from event to event and you’ll be treated to some Salty Tales from the marvellous, award-winning storyteller Glenys Newton along the way (included in the ferry ticket price). Read more
