The 2026 Stroud Book Festival brochure is now available to collect from venues around Stroud and beyond, while organisers have warned that tickets for many events are already selling fast.
Copies can be picked up from Stroud Bookshop, Stroud Sub Rooms, Stroud Library, Borderless Books and the Yellow Lighted Bookshop. This year’s brochure has three different cover designs, all illustrated by Tom Sears, allowing readers to choose a favourite or collect the full set.
How to book Stroud Book Festival tickets
Tickets are on sale for all 2026 Stroud Book Festival events. Most can be booked online through the Sub Rooms website, by phone through the Sub Rooms Box Office on 01453 796880, or in person at the box office.
The box office is open from Tuesday to Saturday, between 10am and 4pm. The festival says tickets for some events are being sold through other providers, so prospective attendees should check the individual event listing before booking.
Events at Stroud Sub Rooms and Lansdown Hall
One of the highlighted adult events is Doom Painting with novelist A K Blakemore at Stroud Sub Rooms on Thursday 5 November, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.
Blakemore’s latest novel is described as an ambitious story set during the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, in a medieval England presented as a lived-in world rather than simply a historical setting. The book is due out this month and has received positive advance reviews, according to the festival.
For younger festival visitors, evolutionary biologist, television presenter and author Ben Garrod will present Zombie Worms and Blue Dragons: Celebrating 100 Iconic Life Forms at Lansdown Hall on Saturday 7 November, from 1.45pm to 2.45pm.
The event will explore unusual creatures and biological phenomena, including brain-controlling fungi and the largest dinosaur ever to have lived.
The festival has also highlighted a family event from fellow Stroud festival Play On Stroud. Award-winning puppetry company Indefinite Articles will bring its version of Pinocchio to Lansdown Hall on Saturday 10 October, with performances at 11am and 1.30pm.
The production is suitable for children aged four and over. Indefinite Articles has previously worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and The Mighty Boosh, according to the festival.
Festival returns to Stroud in November
The Stroud Book Festival team said it was looking forward to welcoming audiences in November. The festival’s latest update was published on 18 September 2026, and follows the release of the full programme and earlier announcements of authors and events.
Residents planning to attend are encouraged to book soon to avoid disappointment, particularly for popular sessions. Details of the programme and booking arrangements are available through the Stroud Book Festival and Sub Rooms websites.