The Swadlincote Festival of Words has announced its full programme of speakers and performers for March 19–22, 2026, bringing national authors and sports figures to Swadlincote, Derbyshire. The four-day event will feature a mix of headline names and local talents at several venues across the town centre.
Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling thriller novelist Sarah Pearse and performance poet and comedian John Hegley are among the headline acts confirmed for the festival. Visitors can also hear from parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE as he discusses his memoir One Small Step, while former Derby County footballer Ted McMinn will share stories from his sporting career.
Sharpe’s Pottery Museum will act as the festival’s core hub, with other sessions taking place at Swadlincote Town Hall and Swadlincote Library. The schedule includes ticketed evening talks alongside free workshops and outdoor town trails designed for all ages.
Organised by the Swadlincote Festival of Words committee in partnership with South Derbyshire District Council and Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, the festival aims to celebrate storytelling, promote literacy and bring more visitors to the area. This latest edition continues the event’s growth as a regular feature of the local community calendar.
