The overriding theme of this year’s May Festival is about inspiring young minds to be creative, to challenge them with exciting new activities and masterclasses and, most of all, to enjoy words by celebrating them in both the written and spoken format.  So, read on to see the feast of events in store and how to book tickets…

“Our 6th year attending events and our youngest first year of events. As always great range of events, great authors and books. Fabulous work by all involved. Looking forward to 2018’s already…”

Bookfest May 2017 audience member

May Festival 2018 at a glance…

Download Full Programme PDF

Download Booking Info, T&C’s PDF

Saturday 5th May:

• Cut, Stick, Doodle!  A masterclass

  10am – 11.30am or 1.30pm – 3pm at Shrewsbury Baptist Church – Central, Claremont Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1QG

  Suitable for ages 7+

  Indulge your inner doodler and creator for this hands-on session …. READ MORE

• Roald Dahl and The Imagination Seekers

  10am – 11.15am or 12.30pm – 1.45pm or 3pm – 4.15pm at The Wightman Theatre, 14A The Square, Shrewsbury SY1 1LN

  Suitable for ages 7 – 10

  Help!!! All around the world Roald Dahl’s words are disappearing, not only from books but from children’s minds too …. READ MORE

• Get Hooked on Books & join the Bookfest Quest

  11am – 4pm in The Square, Shrewsbury

  For all ages

  Let your imagination loose on characters, creations and cakes to release the author, or illustrator, within you at these fantastically fun (and FREE) events …. READ MORE

• The Joy of Picture Books with Mat Tobin

   1.30pm – 3pm at The Hive, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury SY1 1TE

  For students and adults

  Especially for parents and anyone who ever reads picture books with children. Mat will open your eyes… READ MORE

Sunday 6th May:

•  Creative Writing Masterclass with Christopher Edge

  11am – 12 midday at Shrewsbury Baptist Church – Central, Claremont Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1QG

  Suitable for ages 8+

  Want to discover how to write your best story ever?…. READ MORE

• The Phoenix Live! With The Etherington Brothers

  12.30pm – 1.30pm

  at The Hive, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury SY1 1TE

  Suitable for ages 7+

  Tips and tricks for making your own comics truly AWESOME …. READ MORE

• Meet Elmer the Elephant!

  11- 11.45am or 2-2.45pm or 3.30 – 4.15pm at Button & Bear Bookshop, 27-28 Castle
  Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 2BQ

  Suitable for ages 4+

  Come dressed in your brightest colours to this fun-filled storytelling event …. READ MORE

• Early Man Model Making Workshops with Aardman

  11am – 12 midday or 2pm – 3pm or 4pm – 5pm at The Shropshire Wildlife Trust, 193 Abbey
  Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6AH

  Suitable for ages 8 – 108!

  Learn how to make your very own character from Aardman’s latest, blockbusting film, EARLY MAN …. READ MORE

Monday 7th May:

• ‘Dinosaurs Galore’ With Sir Charlie Stinky Socks

  11.30am – 12.30pm midday at The Hive, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury SY1 1TE

  Suitable for ages 5+

  Come along for an
  hour of adventure and song, mystery and magic and meet this legendary knight …. READ MORE

• Join the World of Olobob Top

  2pm – 2.45pm at Shrewsbury Baptist Church – Central, Claremont Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1QG

  Suitable for ages 2 – 7

  Join Leigh Hodgkinson, co-creator of the World of Olobob Top – as seen on CBeebies …. READ MORE