Supporting the 2026 Festival
Fuelling The Festival
The Swadlincote Festival of Words returns from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 March 2026, and is shaping up to be our most ambitious celebration yet. This year’s programme brings together bestselling authors, inspiring poets, creative workshops and captivating performances across Swadlincote town centre. Alongside the public programme, our Programme for Schools will deliver author, poet and illustrator visits to classrooms across South Derbyshire, sparking imagination and supporting literacy for local young people.
At the heart of the Festival sits The Imaginarium at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum. This pop-up creative hub will give visitors of all ages the chance to explore and play with words in new ways. Through hands-on activities, displays and live Meet the Author sessions, it promises to be a place where stories leap off the page and curiosity leads the way.
To deliver this vibrant, inclusive and community-focused Festival, we are inviting individuals, groups and businesses to help make it happen.
The Swadlincote Festival of Words:
• Champions creativity, reading and writing across all ages
• Brings nationally recognised talent to our town centre
• Supports local authors and emerging voices
• Encourages first-time visitors into key cultural venues
• Strengthens community pride and connection
• Provides volunteering, participation and learning opportunities
• Delivers real economic benefit to local businesses
By supporting the Festival, you are helping to grow a cultural tradition that celebrates our stories and showcases everything special about Swadlincote and our surrounding area.
Become a Supporter or Donor
Together, we can inspire a love of words that lasts a lifetime!
As a not-for-profit event, the Festival relies on partnership funding, grants and the generosity of sponsors and donors. Contributions help fund school visits, artist fees, accessible activities and our mission to reduce barriers so that everyone can take part.
There are several ways to support:
• Individual donations of any size
• Friends Programme for those wishing to champion the Festival year-round
• Business sponsorship packages with marketing and hospitality benefits
• In-kind contributions such as materials, equipment or venue support
Your support will enable:
• Free and low-cost family activities
• Engagement for local schools that might not otherwise be able to access author events
• A creative space that welcomes and includes everyone
• Growth of a Festival that brings joy, inspiration and economic value to the area
Every contribution plays a vital part in ensuring this community Festival continues to flourish.
Please support the 2026 Swadlincote Festival of Words. Help Fuel the Festival. Be part of the story.
If you would like to become a Friend, make a donation, offer sponsorship or discuss ways to support the Festival, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please send an email to hello@swadlincotefestivalofwords.co.uk or hit the donate button below.
Together, we can create a Festival that Swadlincote can be proud of. One that lifts voices, sparks creativity and invites our community to dream a little bigger.
Please note this link will take you to our secure payment platform, SquareUp.com
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund #UKSPF
