Hillingdon Council’s crime-writing festival is back for 2026 with its biggest line-up yet, as more than 15 bestselling authors take to the stage at the Winston Churchill Theatre on Saturday 13 June.
The Hillingdon Libraries Crime Festival follows last year’s sell-out success, where more than 200 visitors heard from nine leading crime writers, helping establish the event as a must-visit date for readers and aspiring writers.
Inspired by the success of the regular ‘Coffee and Crime’ events at Hillingdon libraries, this year’s festival is a full day of live talks, book discussions and writing insights featuring a standout line-up of some of today’s most popular crime authors, including Tom Hindle, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, TM Logan, Louise Candlish and Araminta Hall.
The festival, which runs from 10am to 5pm, is part of a wider programme of events being held at Hillingdon libraries throughout 2026 to celebrate The National Year of Reading, a campaign helping promote literacy, inspire a love of books and encourage reading for pleasure.
Daniel Kennedy, Hillingdon Council’s Corporate Director of Residents Services, said: “The Hillingdon Libraries Crime Festival is a fantastic event for book lovers and a great example of how we’re continuing to find new and engaging ways to connect people with reading.
“Our libraries are welcoming community spaces that bring people together, and during the National Year of Reading residents and visitors will have even more opportunities to enjoy events and activities that help them discover new authors and share a love of reading.”
Tickets to the Hillingdon Libraries Crime Festival cost £12. Book yours at discover.hillingdon.gov.uk/crime-festival
For more upcoming author events, visit discover.hillingdon.gov.uk/author-events
Young readers aged four to 11 can enjoy a summer of reading fun with the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, launching on Saturday 4 July. Sign up at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/summer-reading
