Clevedon LitFest to return this June

This summer, Clevedon LitFest invites you to dive into Making Waves, a celebration of stories shaped by the sea.

Inspired by the rhythm of the tide, the whispers of sea breeze, and the rich traditions of the British seaside, the Clevedon LitFest programme brings together salt-sprayed myths, maritime memoirs, and bold new voices making ripples across the literary world.

Get ready for a vibrant weekend of talks, workshops, performances, exhibitions, and creative encounters.

Image: Clevedon LitFest

Highlights

The appearance of best-selling writer, Raynor Winn, at the Curzon Cinema on Friday 6 June. Raynor will be in conversation with Elizabeth Karlsen, film producer and a Curzon patron, after a screening of the recently released film of her book The Salt Path. The book was a Sunday Times bestseller, won the Royal Society of Literature Christopher Bland Prize in 2019 and has sold over 2 million copies worldwide.

Sunday Times bestselling author Amy Jeffs at The Theatre Shop on Friday 6 June. Amy will present Saints, Heroes, Humans, and Magic which draws on her research into medieval pilgrim souvenirs found in the Thames. Exploring the rich, strange world of saints’ legends, from their roots in Late Antiquity to their decline during the Reformation, Amy celebrates the magical and ambiguous stories that helped shape European folklore and fairytale traditions.

Olivier Award-winning artist Marisa Carnesky at The Theatre Shop on Saturday 7 June. Marisa will present a new performance lecture, which recently premiered at the V&A, exploring the hidden symbolism of magic illusions in relation to women performers, featuring rare archival footage of early 20th Century variety acts. The evening reflects on stage magic through a contemporary feminist lens, with themes of transformation, embodiment and spectacle, inspired by new publication Obsessions of a Showwoman.

Free Events

A free performance by Rimski & Handkerchief at Clevedon Seafront on Saturday 7 June, with three shows taking place throughout the day. The Piano Bicycle and the Double Bassicle are long standing favourites at Glastonbury Festival and across the UK and Europe, this brilliantly bonkers duo are renowned for their mix of musical mastery and mechanical invention, a curious spectacle indeed, as they meander among the crowds with their marvellous musical machines.

As Pleased As Punch: Making Mischief Since 1662 at The Hawthorns, Free exhibition open all weekend celebrating the cultural legacy, artistic influence and enduring charm of Punch and Judy, tracing their journey from continental origins to a firm fixture of British seaside tradition. Step right up and discover the mischievous world of Mr Punch; the most iconic puppet in British history and a star of seaside stages for over 360 years. You can also catch free Punch & Judy shows at Clevedon Bandstand, and book tickets for Punch and Judy: A Cultural History, a special talk by Professor Glyn Edwards at The Riff Corner both on Sunday 8 June.

Poems on demand on Sunday 8 June from Typewriter Bloke Andrew Nicholls at Clevedon Bandstand former resident poet at the See Monster, Weston-super-Mare. Get a one-off poem typed just for you. Plus, enjoy live music and poetry at the Clevedon Bandstand throughout the weekend. Donations welcome, see programme for full details.

What Else?

Kick off the weekend at the Curzon with a special screening of Summer of Soul, followed by a live DJ set from the incredible Ngaio, blending soul, jazz and activism in a powerful night of music and culture.

Join Grammy-nominated music historian Adam White for Motown: The Poetry of Young America, an exploration of the label's enduring cultural legacy through words, rhythm, and soul.

Join the festival for Mrs Spy, a thrilling ride through 1960s London, or dive into bathing history with Allan Brodie’s How to Bathe in the Sea: From Naked Georgians to Art Deco Lidos.

Bestselling crime writer Matt Brolly discusses his North Somerset-set thrillers, while Xiaolu Guo shares poetic reflections in Whales and Battles.

Madeleine Bunting unpacks England’s Love Affair with the Seaside, and Clare Helen Welsh leads a gentle, family-friendly storytime with The Tide.

Expect pop culture, politics and nostalgia in Travis Elborough’s Mods and Rockers: A Cultural History, while adventurer Lindsey Cole brings laughs and eco-awareness in The Mermaid, the Otter and the Big Poo!

Round off the weekend with Smutty Letters: Message in a Bottle, a playful creative writing workshop with Rosy Pendlebaby, perfect for those with a cheeky sense of humour and a love of words.

View the full programme here.