Waterstones Children's Book Festival Returns to Lincoln with Expanded 2026 Programme
The magic of children's literature is set to return to Lincoln as Waterstones announces the eagerly anticipated return of its popular Children's Book Festival. Following the tremendous success of the inaugural event in 2025, the 2026 festival promises to be even more spectacular, offering families three full days of literary celebration from Friday, February 13 to Sunday, February 15.
Expanding Literary Horizons Across the UK
This year's festival represents a significant expansion of Waterstones' commitment to fostering young readers nationwide. While Lincoln remains a central hub for the celebrations, the festival will also reach additional communities with events scheduled in Dundee from February 6-8 and Taunton from May 15-17. This national expansion aims to inspire more children across the country to develop a lifelong love of reading through direct engagement with authors and illustrators.
A Stellar Line-Up of Literary Talent
The Lincoln festival will feature an impressive roster of celebrated children's authors and illustrators across multiple venues including The Engine Shed and Lincoln Central Library. Highlights include appearances from literary stars such as Cressida Cowell, who will discuss her beloved How To Train Your Dragon series, and Liz Pichon celebrating fifteen years of the popular Tom Gates series.
Additional confirmed participants include bestselling authors Hannah Gold, Robin Stevens, Sheena Dempsey, and Phil Earle, alongside illustrator Neill Cameron and writer Iqbal Hussain. The festival will also welcome Fiona Lumbers, who will share the latest instalment in the Luna Loves series specifically tailored for younger readers.
Interactive Workshops and Creative Activities
Beyond author talks, the festival offers an extensive programme of interactive experiences designed to engage children of all ages. Young visitors can participate in comic book workshops with Jack Noel, creative writing sessions with Judith Eagle and Nat Harrison, and storytelling events including a special celebration of Winnie-The-Pooh's 100th anniversary led by Jane Riordan.
The festival introduces new programming for pre-school children this year, alongside returning favourites such as draw-along sessions, craft activities, character costume appearances, and family interactive events featuring Jamie Hammond, Ryan Crawford, Serena Patel, and Dr Sheena Kanani.
Building on Previous Success
The 2025 Lincoln festival proved enormously popular, with all thirty-four individual events selling out completely. The accompanying free school events attracted seven hundred enthusiastic young participants, demonstrating the community's strong appetite for literary engagement. Building on this foundation, the 2026 festival aims to reach even more families through expanded programming and additional venues.
Community Engagement and Educational Impact
Gary Deane, Waterstones Children's Events Co-ordinator, expressed enthusiasm about the festival's growth: "We're thrilled to be staging the Children's Book Festival on an even bigger scale in 2026, the National Year of Reading. Events with brilliant authors and illustrators are a wonderful way of introducing children to the sheer fun of reading and sharing stories."
Kate Melton, Bookshop Manager at Waterstones Lincoln, highlighted the festival's transformative potential: "Seeing children engage directly with authors and illustrators, often for the first time, is such a powerful reminder of how events like this can spark confidence, curiosity and a lasting love of reading. If last year is anything to go by, it promises to be a fabulously inspiring and creative weekend!"
Festival Schedule and Accessibility
The Lincoln festival kicks off on Friday, February 13 with free school events at The Engine Shed, featuring author discussions and Q&A sessions for attending pupils. Weekend activities will continue across various city locations, with additional programming at the Waterstones Lincoln bookshop ensuring wide accessibility throughout the city.
Full event details for each location will be confirmed in the coming months, with organisers promising an unforgettable celebration of children's literature that combines entertainment with educational value. The festival represents Waterstones' ongoing commitment to promoting literacy and creative expression among young people during the National Year of Reading.
