This April, Alexandra Palace became a vibrant, single‑site literary village as our North London Book Fest returned for four packed and inspiring days. With multiple stages alive with conversation, performance and storytelling, the festival welcomed 3,406 people to events across the Palace, with around 800 visitors a day moving between the Theatre, Creativity Pavilion and Transmitter Hall.
Readers of all ages came together to listen, debate, laugh and discover new voices, as the festival continued to establish itself as a distinctive, inclusive and welcoming fixture in London’s literary calendar.
Opening the Festival: words, music and conversation
The festival opened with a dedicated Schools Day, as author and broadcaster Jeffrey Boakye spoke to secondary school pupils about race, identity and masculinity through the lens of UK popular music history. That rich conversation flowed seamlessly into the festival’s official launch later that evening.
Chaired by Boakye, the opening night welcomed writer and activist Kadiatu Kanneh‑Mason, who discussed her Women’s Prize‑longlisted book To Be Young, Gifted and Black. Live musical performances from Konya Kanneh‑Mason on piano and Braimah Kanneh‑Mason on violin were woven through the discussion, creating a powerful opening that brought words and music together and set the tone for the days ahead.
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Biblio‑Buzz takes centre stage
Friday belonged to some of the Palace’s youngest and most enthusiastic audiences as Biblio‑Buzz: The Alexandra Palace Children’s Book Award took over the East Court and Theatre.
A total of 752 Year 1 and 2 pupils arrived from schools across the borough to meet five shortlisted authors, take part in workshops, attend the award ceremony and get books signed. Hosted by former Biblio‑Buzz winner Jack Meggitt‑Phillips alongside BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Fee Mak, the ceremony balanced joyful celebration with just the right amount of good‑natured chaos.
The winning title, The Beck by Anthony McGowan, was chosen by young readers following months of reading and discussion. Its powerful evocation of landscape, friendship and resilience clearly struck a chord. A surprise appearance from poet A. F. Harrold delighted the audience with high‑energy verse, before the award was presented by Lucy Fenner, Commercial Director at Alexandra Palace.
Saturday highlights: from childhood classics to literary craft
Saturday opened with the festival’s biggest single event, as 560 children and family members filled the Theatre to celebrate Michael Rosen during his 80th birthday tour. By turns moving, funny and generous, Rosen’s appearance was both a celebration of an extraordinary life in writing and a reminder of his enduring bond with young readers.
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Across the rest of the day, audiences moved between packed events with writers including Tessa Hadley, Onjali Q. Raúf and Ben Aaronovitch. Conversations ranged across contemporary fiction, fantasy writing and the craft of storytelling, while workshops, talks and busy book signings kept Alexandra Palace buzzing from morning to evening.
Sunday sessions: North London stories and feminist perspectives
The final day of the North London Book Fest was rooted firmly in North London stories, feminism and contemporary debate. Writer and broadcaster Nell Frizzell became a central presence, chairing multiple events with warmth, wit and insight. She also discussed her own work, including her book exploring the history of the Hampstead Ladies’ Pond, a deeply local story tracing a century of women, swimming, friendship and activism around one much‑loved corner of the Heath.
Questions of feminism and power took on fresh urgency during Laura Bates’ appearance, as she explored misogyny in the digital age and the growing impact of technology and artificial intelligence on women’s lives. The discussion sparked thoughtful and lively audience debate, underscoring why these conversations remain essential.
Families and younger readers continued to be at the heart of the programme. Kate Pankhurst invited children to step into the lives of remarkable women from history through illustration, storytelling and dress‑up. As a distant relative of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, she brought a personal connection that helped make these stories feel vivid, joyful and alive.
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A powerful ending
The festival closed with two standout events: Natasha Brown offered a sharp and thoughtful exploration of fiction, power and voice, while North London Book Fest regular Natalie Haynes brought the final curtain down with trademark wit, warmth and feminist reinterpretations of myth and history. Together, they sent audiences out of the Palace inspired, reflective and still mid‑conversation.
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Across all four days, what stood out most was the sense of encounter: readers drifting between stages, children clutching newly signed books, authors lingering to talk, and Alexandra Palace acting as a host for ideas. From first‑time Biblio‑Buzz readers to seasoned festival‑goers, the North London Book Fest 2026 reaffirmed the Palace’s commitment to the importance of literacy in today’s world, creative learning, cultural connection and the simple pleasure of sharing stories together.
