Whitby Lit Fest has been granted charitable status as it prepares to return to the town following a successful debut last year.
The new status is undoubtedly the next chapter for Whitby Lit Fest, created to celebrate the town’s literary heritage, and taking place in November.
Organisers say, gaining charitable status allows the festival to expand its objective to be of public benefit and to advance the education and appreciation of literature, in and around Whitby.
They are also calling on businesses and organisations to get involved through sponsorship opportunities.
Mark Williamson, Trustee of Whitby Lit Fest, said: “Having charity status helps us build sustainability into the festival, and allows us to expand its existing work around accessibility, education, and community outreach.
“We passionately believe that people living in coastal areas deserve a similar quality of culture and opportunity that audiences expect in larger, cosmopolitan towns and cities.
“Whitby has inspired writers who have shaped the nation’s cultural landscape, and that’s a legacy worth celebrating and nurturing.
“Supporting the festival, from just £50, offers a unique chance to be part of a growing cultural event that brings significant economic and cultural benefits to Whitby and the surrounding area, in the shoulder winter months.”
Plans for this year’s Lit Fest are well underway with a raft of high profile authors being revealed.
John Boyne has been announced as the headline guest. He is best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which was a New York Times number one bestseller and adapted for film, theatre, opera and ballet,. It sold more than 11m copies worldwide.
Among his many international bestsellers are The Heart’s Invisible Furies, A Ladder to the Sky, and All the Broken Places. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Observer, The Times Literary Supplement, The Irish Times, as well as international newspapers and magazines.
He’ll be talking about his new book, The Weight of Angels, a reimagining of the life of Oscar Wilde.
Also announced for 2026 are, crime authors Elly Griffiths and Sarah Hilary, the Channel 4 style guru, Nicky Hambleton-Jones of 10-Years Younger fame, historian Alistair Moffat with his book, The North Sea, and the debut novelist Helen Bain with her acclaimed book The Daffodil Days, which was a 2026 Harper’s Bazaar book pick.
They join authors already confirmed including Vera and Shetland author Ann Cleeves, Joanne Harris of Chocolat fame, this year’s CWA Diamond Dagger winner, the crime author Mark Billingham, and award-winning BBC broadcaster turned psychologist, Dr Sian Williams.
Lois Kirlan, Chair of Whitby Lit Fest, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to announce another flurry of fabulous names joining the 2026 line-up, and the full programme, including our outreach and community events, will be published soon this summer.”
The inaugural event last year attracted more than 50 authors, including Lee Childs and actor Miriam Margolyes. It also attracted visitors from across the UK and beyond, showcasing local authors and poets, hosting writing workshops and a school writing competition in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.
Its patron is the Whitby resident and former Radio 4 producer and author, Kate Fenton. Honorary patron is the acclaimed playwright, Sir Alan Aykbourn.
Last year’s event established the festival as a highlight of Yorkshire’s cultural calendar, attracting visitors from across the UK and beyond. It showcased local authors and poets, and hosted writing workshops and a school writing competition in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.
