Michael Rosen is set to headline Blackburn with Darwen’s Children & Young People’s Literature Festival, which starts on June 8.
Planning a night out? See the live What’s On in Blackburn calendar.
The author and poet, best known for We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, has sold millions of copies worldwide and was UK Children’s Laureate from 2007 to 2009.
The 2026 festival is the ninth to be hosted in the borough and will run until June 20, with free talks and activities taking place at libraries and schools across the area.
The event was founded by Blackburn author Christina Gabbitas, a patron of the Blackburn with Darwen Library Service, and is organised each year with the council’s library team and volunteers.
Christina Gabbitas said: “With this being the National Year of Reading, I’m fully committed to making it a fantastic event!
“This year’s line-up is outstanding, featuring the legendary poet and author Michael Rosen and Jocelyn Stephenson, a BAFTA-winning British-American writer and producer of children’s shows such as Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock.
“We also want to shout about success stories from our own borough and, this year, have authors attending secondary schools across Blackburn and Darwen too.”
The Children’s Library at Blackburn Central Library in Town Hall Street has also had a makeover ahead of the festival.
A new library service website has launched too, with a guide to what’s on, information about library services and digital resources including free e-books and free language courses.
Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “The festival is always incredibly popular with our children, parents and schools, and we’re delighted that it will be back in June.
“Encouraging children to develop a love of reading brings a lifetime of fun and learning, and this year is even more special as it’s the National Year of Reading.
“The Council has been a big supporter of the festival since it started and has always wanted it to continue to grow, supported by Christina and our fantastic teams and volunteers at our five libraries across the borough.
“For 2026, there’s a fantastic line-up of high-quality events taking place, as well as great authors visiting the borough, including Michael Rosen.
“I’d like to wish Christina, and everyone involved every success. I’m sure it will be a great success, as previous festivals have been, and I look forward to attending.”
This year’s festival will also feature five artists from the borough: Christina Gabbitas, Saira Shah, Iqbal Hussain, Hafiza Issa and illustrator Reyhana Ismail.
Other authors taking part include Sarah Surgey, Ben Davis, Donavan Christopher, Richard O’Neill, Oliver Sykes, Adisa, Dom Conlon, Dommy B and Ursula Hurst.
Angus Baskerville, star of Autism’s Got Talent, will perform magic at the Hornby Theatre, Westholme School, on Saturday, June 20.
Christina Gabbitas said: “I’m grateful to Blackburn with Darwen Council, the Library Service, Darwen Town Council, Darwen Rotary, Lloyds Trust and CILIP Green Libraries, with National Lottery funding, who join me in helping to fund this annual event.
“A special thanks also to Andrew Orr and Adele Karwat from the Blackburn library team for all their support and effort over the past eight years.”
For the full guide to what’s on, visit www.bwdlibraries.com.
