Some of the UK’s best-loved children’s authors, illustrators and performers will be helping families to step into a world of stories, creativity and imagination when a popular children’s book festival returns to the Staffordshire Moorlands.
The Festival of Brilliant will take place at Biddulph Old Hall on 10 and 11 July.
Among the headline names appearing at the event are former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, fantasy author Louie Stowell, designer and illustrator Chris Haughton, Lydia Monks, of What the Ladybird Heard fame, adventure writer Jenny McLachlan and Sian Radford, creator of the popular Moon & Rue TikTok channel with more than one million followers.
Visitors will be able to enjoy talks, interactive installations, hands-on workshops and immersive storytelling experiences, all designed to spark a lifelong love of reading.
The two-day event has been organised by arts programme OUTSIDE in partnership with Staffordshire Moorlands librarians, teachers, artists and young people and co-developed with local communities.
The first day will be dedicated to schools and community groups with interactive author sessions and creative workshops for Year 3 and Year 4 pupils.
On Saturday, the festival will open up to families with a programme of live performances, story-telling sessions, illustration workshops and creative activities.
Immersive attractions include Footy Fairy Tales, The Magic Lantern, BOOKBOOSTER FACTORY and Noisy Noise Noise, alongside drop-in poetry sessions and a history walk exploring the heritage of Biddulph Old Hall.
Verse & Vibes, a spoken word and creative workshop for 14 to 18-year-olds, will take place at the same venue at 6pm on 10 July. It will be led by former Poet Laureate and Commonwealth Boxing Champion Matt Windle and offer a relaxed and welcoming space for young people to explore spoken word, rhythm and storytelling through words.
OUTSIDE director Katie Aldous said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing The Festival of Brilliant back to Biddulph for 2026, with a full programme that celebrates stories in all their forms – from books and poetry to music, performance and immersive creativity.
“As part of the National Year of Reading, we’re going all in to show just how powerful reading can be when it’s brought to life in exciting, unexpected and inclusive ways.
“This year’s festival also connects with the Summer Reading Challenge theme Read to the Beat, and we’re embracing that spirit of rhythm, energy and expression across the programme – whether that’s through poetry, spoken word, music, storytelling or creative play.
“We can’t wait to welcome schools, families and young people from across the Moorlands to experience a festival where every corner of Biddulph Old Hall is filled with imagination and stories waiting to be discovered.”
A free shuttle service will run between Biddulph town centre and the festival site.
For tickets, or more information about the event, follow this link.
