Oldham StoryFest returns with a celebration of books, creativity and family fun

Oldham StoryFest is returning with another exciting programme of author talks, illustration workshops and family activities designed to inspire a love of reading.

The popular festival, taking place at Oldham Library on Saturday, July 11, will welcome children and families for a day packed with storytelling and creativity and provide opportunities to meet some of the UK’s best-loved children’s authors, poets and illustrators.  

Running from 11am until 3pm, the free event will feature interactive sessions throughout the day, with visitors encouraged to come dressed as their favourite literary characters or in their best festival outfits.  

Subnum Hariff-Khan, head of Heritage, Libraries and Arts at Oldham Libraries, said: “Oldham StoryFest is a brilliant opportunity for children and families to come together and enjoy the magic of books.  

“Hearing directly from the people who create these wonderful stories can spark children’s imagination and inspire them to discover reading for pleasure.  

“We’re proud to welcome so many talented writers and illustrators to Oldham and look forward to seeing families making the most of everything the festival has to offer.”  

This year’s programme features Carnegie-nominated author Ben Davis and former BookTrust Writer-in-Residence Rashmi Sirdeshpande, as well as Holly Sterling, who was highly commended in the Macmillan Prize for Illustration, and award-winning poet Dommy B, who also starred in CBeebies’ Rhyme Rocket.  

They will be joined by popular poets and performers Liz Million and Paul Cookson, alongside critically acclaimed poet James Carter, who has visited more than 1,500 schools.  

The festival is also delighted to welcome local author Deborah Bradbury, whose passion for storytelling is sure to captivate children and families alike.  

The event is supported by sponsors Kajima and InfraRed Capital Partners.  

StoryFest will also mark the launch of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, delivered by Oldham Libraries in partnership with The Reading Agency.  

With the 2026 theme “Read to the Beat”, children are invited to set their own reading goals from reading to a sibling or visiting their local library.  

Those who complete the challenge will receive a certificate and medal to take back to school.  

Children can sign up during the challenge period (July 11 to September 12) at any library across the borough, as well as at Gallery Oldham.  

Suzanne Hudson, Senior Development Officer for Oldham Heritage, Libraries and Arts said: “There’s something special about children meeting the people behind the books they love or are just discovering.  

“It shows that books don’t just appear on shelves: they’re created by real people with imagination, creativity and determination. It inspires them to see reading and writing as something that they can be part of too as well as encouraging a lifelong love of reading.”  

There will be lots of free family activities happening throughout the summer holidays at Oldham Library/Gallery Oldham and at community libraries across the borough.  

Visit hla.oldham.gov.uk for more information.