Discovering the top 10 must-visit literary festivals in India 2024-25

India has a multitude of literary festivals that pop up every year and attract readers, scholars, journalists, playwrights, editors, and frankly anybody interested in literature. These are hub spots to meet like-minded people– to interact with people, exchange ideas on how to improve one’s writing skills and celebrate the beauty of storytelling. Moreover, many of these festivals have extensive programmes for children as well as teenagers so as to foster a reading culture amongst them.

Several Indian cities host such annual events that aim at more than just dialogues or debates because their organisers understand the country’s rich literary heritage. They also include cultural performances like music and interactive sessions where authors gather together with literature gurus, thinkers, and dancers, among others. Many of these festivals are supported by personalities known all over the world with the intention of promoting regional writers’ works.

As a matter of fact, there is usually at least one literature festival organised by the Ministry of Culture in each state’s capital city. Attending these festivals will enable you to explore different parts of India, thus delving into the world of literature. This list is for you if you aspire to experience India's literary life at its best:

1. Valley of words (VoW), Dehradun

Dehradun’s Valley of Words literary festival, set amidst the beautiful Himalayan foothills, provides more than just a getaway from urban life. Artists and writers come together from different countries, contributing to a unique blend of cultural immersion and nature’s beauty.

VoW, being an open-inclusive festival, does not charge entry fees hence, it attracts individuals from various fields, including literature, art performances, etc. This event features a line-up of speakers ranging from popular authors like Anand Neel Kanth and Sagarika Ghose to performers like Rahul Dev, Sorabh Panth, etc. The festival also provides storytellers, bloggers, thespians, photographers, painters, or craftsmen with an opportunity to showcase their talent.

In addition to conducting literary events traditionally, VoW also organises concerts, treks, and exhibitions that promote local art. It is a festival that recognises and celebrates all forms of creative expression. This festival is dedicated to nurturing new voices by creating space, time, and support for first-time authors, translators, and narrators. In addition, it organises book releases as well as discussions with established writers, thereby fostering a vibrant literary community.

Upcoming event date: 28 July 2024

Valley of words | Credits: vowlitfest, Instagram

2. Bangalore literature festival

Every November in Namma Bengaluru (our Bangalore), which celebrates reading, writing, and the city’s vibrant literary scene, Under the winter sun, bookworms and bibliophiles gather in the Garden City of India to meet and interact with authors from across the country and around the world.

This event is owned by the city authorities and is designed to bring together all that is creative about Bangalore while moulding a literature fair where some of the brightest minds in India and beyond can converge. It has several Indian and international authors who share their experiences as well as their insights. A literature quiz competition takes centre stage, attracting participants from all corners of the nation. The participants go through written rounds with challenging literary questions to be answered, whereby the top twenty teams proceed towards selecting a winning team. The Bangalore Literature Festival expresses love for books that exist within this city.

Upcoming event date: 14-15 December 2024

Bangalore literature festival | Credits: blrlitfest, Instagram

3. Apeejay Kolkata literary festival (AKLF)

The Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival is a must-visit for any book lover during January every year. The line-up of authors at the festival includes Pulitzer Prize winners and renowned journalists, among others, from around the world. AKLF recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, with the likes of David Davidar, Anuja Chauhan, and Naseeruddin Shah being invited as guests.

The festival’s programming is known for its diversity, including writer panels, workshops, and music and dance performances that you cannot afford to miss. One of its unique features is offering workshops aimed at training young writers, as there are various other events organised specifically for them. Past speakers include Shashi Tharoor, Ramachandra Guha, Devdutt Pattanaik, and Bon Okri, among others, who are well-known in their respective fields of specialisation. It can be said that AKLF truly embodies the rich cultural and literary heritage of the City of Joy.

Upcoming event date: 10-12 January 2025

Apeejay Kolkata literary festival | Credits: theaklf, Instagram

4. Kerala literature festival (KLF)

This is a literary celebration held annually along the picturesque coast of Kozhikode, facing the Arabian Sea. It is Asia’s second-largest gathering of words, stories, and ideas after the Jaipur Literary Festival, where more than 200 writers descend every year. The seminar has a wide range of topics covered during the discussion, interactive session, or performance, basically including books, writing environments, language, food, film, poetry, music, technology, etc. The KLF evenings will be filled with live music performances representing different cultures around planet Earth, among them several bands.

KLF has different themes for every year, which shape the discussions and activities. In 2020, Spain was invited as a guest nation to help them consider environmental worries and climate change. This is where Tamil literature became the star feature, demonstrating how rich Indian languages are in variety.

Upcoming event date: 23-26 January 2025

Kerala literature festival | Credits: keralalitfest, Instagram

5. Jaipur literature festival

The Jaipur Literature Festival has been described as 'the greatest literary show on Earth'. It has become a global event over the last ten years, bringing together more than 2000 speakers and over one million book lovers from all corners, both in India and internationally. Situated in Jaipur at Diggi Palace, which is located in Pink City, this five-day carnival is indeed delightful for any bibliophile.

In attendance were Andre Aciman (Call Me By Your Name), Yann Martel (Life of Pi), and Ramachandra Guha (an eminent Indian author, historian, and biographer). The programme consists of a range of activities, from reading books out loud to deliberations over panels, thought-provoking speeches, and interactive sessions. For a person who has never been to a literary festival before, going to Jaipur is an excellent starting point since it provides an encompassing experience.

Upcoming event date: 30 January - 3 February 2025

Jaipur literature festival | Credits: saadaadesigns, Instagram

6. Times LitFest

Times LitFest is an annual event where writers come together with journalists, literature fans, and thought leaders to honour books in India today. Founded by Bachi Karkaria and Namita Devidayal, who are both journalists, this enlightening gathering has become one of the most anticipated literary activities in India nowadays.

Times LitFest revolves around a specific theme each year, and this determines the direction of the discussions for the event. For example, one of these themes, “Power as Hero and Villain,” had participation from prominent figures like Arianna Huffington, Akhil Sharma, Amish Tripathi, Anupama Chopra, and Ashwin Sanghi. It is an open affair; anyone is allowed in without paying.

Apart from panel discussions, Times LitFest has a series of workshops that talk about different aspects of literature, including mythology, history, crime fiction, storytelling, romance, and contemporary issues, among others. This may touch upon illustration as well as painting; it could also be related to parenting, gender, or sexuality as far as other relevant topics are concerned. It provides opportunities for dynamic dialogue and critical engagement with India’s rich literary, cinematic, and musical heritage.

Upcoming event date: 11-12 February 2025

7. Khushwant Singh literature festival

Named after Khushwant Singh himself, this literary festival began in 2012 and takes place every October. The festival has its base in the beautiful hills of Kasauli, where most of his work was done, and therefore acts as a fitting tribute to his legacy.

Khushwant Singh Lit Fest brings together prominent personalities from various professions, such as Dr. Rakhshanda Jalil, Shobhaa De, Anupam Kher Coomi Kapoor, and Dr. Dilip Donde Bishen Singh Bedi Bachi Karkaria, amongst others. A new theme is adopted by the festival every year, which encourages divergent discussions and debates. One side of the hill comes alive with author sessions and workshops, while music entertainment fills up the opposite hill along with mesmerising performances. There is no better way to celebrate books than to read them surrounded by nature at Khushwant Singh Lit Fest.

Upcoming event date: 18-20 October 2024

Khushwant Singh | Credits: Ramesh Sharma, Kslitfest

8. Goa arts and literary festival (GALF)

The Goa Arts and Literary Festival might just be the place for you if the prospect of attending a literary festival with one’s favourite books, captivating sunsets, and the soothing sound of waves is interesting.

The non-profit organisation GALF is held annually at the International Centre Goa and run entirely by volunteers. Since 2010, it has attracted some of India’s best-known writers who have been taking up political or social issues through animated debates. The distinctive culture of Goa, which includes lectures by famous literati like writers, poets, or painters, is celebrated during this particular gathering. It also focuses on promoting both Goan and diaspora literature, thus providing a platform for new emerging voices as well as established ones, among others.

“It is also an opportunity to hear from some of the brightest minds in contemporary Indian literature,” says Vivek Shanbhag, writer and director of the Goa Arts & Literature Festival (GALF). Some eminent speakers who have appeared here include Amitav Ghosh, Amish Tripathi, and Teju Cole.

Goa, as a top tourist destination, has beautiful beaches and picturesque architecture, among other attractions. However, beyond its tourist attractions lies a thriving artistic community with strong roots in theatre, music, film, and literature. Providing access to this rich cultural landscape, the GALF offers alternative perspectives on such aspects.

Upcoming event date: Not announced yet

Goa arts and literary festival | Credits: sohinichat, Instagram

9. Himalayan echoes - Kumaon festival of literature and arts

Against the backdrop of the Himalayas' grandeur lies the Kumaon Festival of Literature and Arts, with writers coming from India as well as across the globe. It is a unique festival that pays tribute to the power of words and ideas while providing an amazing setting that blends established voices with emerging talents from Uttarakhand.

Unlike other festivals, Himalayan Echoes is characterised by its intimate atmosphere, powerful voices, and breathtaking surroundings. The festival allows attendees to learn from and interact with writers and experts in various fields, including ecology, socio-culture, art, music, cinema, sports, and wildlife.

Himalayan Echoes regards itself as India’s only “green” festival. Instead of confined spaces during the event, people gather at open-air venues where they enjoy views of the mountains while interacting with literature and art. To showcase local crafts and art forms, it brings weavers, artists, and organic farmers from Uttarakhand into the limelight. In addition, birdwatching sessions are organised along with forest walks and heritage trails for participants to commune with nature.

Upcoming event date: Not announced yet

Himalayan echoes | Credits: Canva

10. Queensline lit fest, Mumbai

Imagine sitting by the seashore in a discussion about literature with a background view of the Mumbai skyline, some wine to sip on, and gentle sea breezes ruffling your hair. That’s what India’s first marine literature festival, The Queensline Lit Fest, promises—an opportunity to celebrate literature amidst the vastness of the ocean.

This is an absolutely unique three-day fest onboard the luxurious ships Queenline Neverland and Queenline Sea YAH, which can carry four hundred people each with amazing views over the Mumbai coastline. Here, some of India’s most famous literary personalities gather together to share their thoughts and stories.

Mumbai, a city where art, literature, and culture are ingrained into its very roots, is perfect for this kind of literary experience. The brainchild behind it all, Shripriya Dalmia Thirani, who owns Queensline Neverland, is looking at bringing together great minds in one room for intellectual debates involving written works.

Upcoming event date: Not announced yet

The Queensline lit fest | Credits: Canva

Conclusion

From these top festivals alone, we can get a peek into how vibrant and diverse the Indian literature landscape can be. They enable already established writers as well as those whose footprints are just emerging to love reading materials while ensuring there is meaningful conversation on various topics. Whether you usually devour stacks of books every month or just grab one occasionally, attending any of these events will be etched in your memory long after you’ve finished their final pages. Therefore, highlight your diary dates and book your flight tickets ahead so that you get ready to be overwhelmed by the power of words coming from inside out!

And, when you're planning your literary adventure, don't forget to book your stay at The Hosteller, your perfect abode to rest, recharge, and refuel for the next day's literary escapades. Our cosy hostel offers a comfortable and vibrant atmosphere, perfect for book lovers to unwind and share their experiences with fellow travellers. So, pack your bags, grab your favourite book, and get ready to immerse yourself in the world of words!