Deptford Literature Festival
Celebrating the diversity and creativity of Deptford and Lewisham
Deptford Literature Festival takes places every March and celebrates the diversity and creativity of Deptford and Lewisham through words, stories and performance.
The festival features a host of talented writers, artists and organisations based in the area. It’s a literature festival with a difference, with the local community at its heart.
2026 Festival
Deptford Literature Festival 2026 will be taking place from Saturday 21 to Saturday 28 March 2026.
With over 30 events programmed, there’s something for everyone: workshops and talks for aspiring writers and curious readers; interactive activities for children and families; a showcase from our Poetics Lab cohort of emerging young poets; a Festival Marketplace; live performances, readings and so much more.
Come and hear established and emerging voices from Lewisham, South East London and beyond. Writers and artists taking part this year include Kate Briggs, Jimi Famurewa, Erica Hesketh, Aniefiok Epoudom, Sarah Howe, Joe Dunthorne, Derek Owusu, Leone Ross and Francis Spufford, amongst many others.
Previous festivals
Previous writers and artists taking part in the festival include: Inua Ellams, Caleb Femi, Candice Carty-Williams, Natasha Brown, Dapo Adeola, Vanessa Onwuemezi, Tice Cin, Joshua Idehen, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Sara Jafari, Ella Frears, Jamie Hale, and Leone Ross.
Outreach and engagement work has involved communities from: Deptford Green School, Entelechy Arts, The Friends of Brookmill Park, Lucas Vale Primary School, Manley Court Care Home, Phoenix Community Housing, Matchstick Theatre Company and Youth First.
2025 Deptford Literature Festival Anthology
The 2025 Festival Anthology features new writing from 11 authors commissioned under Spread the Word’s 30th Anniversary Emerging Writer and Deaf and Disabled Writer commissions, and their Borough of Literature commissions.
Click the image above to see the full 2025 programme
Deptford Literature Festival is run by independent producer Tom MacAndrew, in collaboration with London Writers Centre. It is funded by Arts Council England with support from the Albany, Deptford Lounge and Lewisham Libraries.
