Barnsbury’s first ever Book Festival: 17–19 April
St Andrew’s Church in Thornhill Square will host the first Barnsbury Book Festival this April, bringing three days of talks, performances and literary events to the neighbourhood.
The festival features an impressive line-up, including Grayson Perry, Dan Cruickshank, Dame Marina Warner, Rob Delaney and world-renowned pianist Sir Stephen Hough.
Events will take place across Barnsbury and the Cally — at St Andrew’s Church, West Library, Rival Boxing Club, and even a local gaming pub — celebrating reading, creativity and the area’s diverse community.
Festival organisers Anna Longman and Phyllis Richardson hope the weekend will inspire local residents and help raise funds to restore St Andrew’s historic spire. A specially commissioned literary walking tour will run during the festival, exploring the area’s rich links to writers from Charles Dickens to contemporary novelists.
Friday 17 – Sunday 19 April 2026
- St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square N1
- West Library, Thornhill Square
- Meltdown Pub (Bridgeman Rd)
- Rival Boxing Club (Caledonian Rd)
- Jean Stokes Community Centre
Closest transport includes:
- Overground: Caledonian Rd & Barnsbury
- Tube: Caledonian Rd, King’s Cross
- Buses: 17, 91, 259 from King’s Cross; 274 from Angel
More Things to do
- Islington Assembly Hall
- Volunteering in Islington
- Playground equipment for disabled children
- Four accessible activities in Islington parks
- Community gardening in Cally Park
- Five things to do in parks
- Islington Borough Ladies FC football sessions
- Islington walking and running routes
- Five ways to explore Islington on foot
- Tufnell Park Market
- Whitecross Street Market
- Camden Passage
- Stroud Green Market
- Exmouth Market
- Archway Market
- Islington Farmers’ Market
- Chapel Market
- Nag’s Head indoor market
- Nag’s Head open-air weekend market
- Free accessible sports
- Over-55s men’s club
- Free fitness classes with Healthy Generations
- Park cuppa
- Best parks for… water fun
- Islington Square Market
- Free health and history walks
- Three ways to… keep kids active
- Finsbury Park Singers and Finsbury A Capella
- Free Friday lunchtime recitals
- Junior parkrun
- Family narrowboat trips
- Ladies’ football training
- Museum of Homelessness
- Summer Reading Challenge
- Free cycling lessons
- Age UK Islington get-togethers
- Olden Community Garden volunteering sessions
- Celebrating ten years of Islington Bereavement Service
- Black History Month 2025
- Volunteer gardening with The Garden Classroom
- Festive events
- Free repair and reuse events this winter
- Wellbeing walks with The Garden Classroom
- Islington menorah-lighting
- Community Gardening at Whittington Park
- Kick Off with a Verse
- Save energy this winter
- Stress management for father’s workshop
- Youth safety events: November
- Fast friends
- Glow in the Angel
- Free play session for under 5’s
- Protecting women and girls together
- Museum of Homelessness festive dog show
- Winter Reading Challenge at Islington Libraries
- Festive fun at libraries
- Autumn cultural things to do: November / December
- Cycling lessons for kids and teens
- Black Cultural Centre’s new art exhibition opens: ‘She Speaks’
- Learn green skills
- Winter cultural things to do: Jan – March
- Finsbury winter warmers
- Mildmay library reopening celebration
- Community gardening: Jan – April
- Gadget support
- Toy donation
- Adult swimming lessons
- Mencap Me Time programme: Jan – April
- Storytelling week: 2-9 February
- Free art workshops
- LGBTQ+ History Month: February
- Cycling lessons for kids and teens during half term
- National year of reading: February half term activities
- Free London Repair Week events
- Help shape the future of family support in Islington!
- The Minds Together Café: Feb – Dec
- Make the most of half-term in Islington: 16- 20 Feb
- Sports coaching opportunity
- Bookstart Storytime at your local Islington Library!
- Black owned business markets: 7-8 March
- Barnsbury’s first ever Book Festival: 17–19 April
