LitOct 2025 Comes to West Drayton this October
Get ready to celebrate stories, creativity, and community! Southlands Arts Centre presents LitOct 2025, Hillingdon’s much-anticipated literary festival, running over multiple days from Saturday, 4th October, to Friday, 31st October. This immersive event welcomes attendees of every age, offering age-appropriate activities and programs for children, teens, and adults alike.
As part of a vibrant tradition of literary festivals in the UK, LitOct stands out as a collection of diverse events hosted at Southlands Arts Centre, a beautiful Grade 2 listed building, featuring the participation of creators such as authors, poets, and artists.
Located in Hillingdon, England, the festival contributes to the country’s rich literary scene and inspires creativity and a love of literature in all who attend. (Southlands Arts Centre)
Make sure to visit our LitOct hub page, which lists all the events, author talks, and activities scheduled for October, and consider purchasing the LitOct pass for the all-you-can-eat buffet of literary goodness.
What’s On: Events
Over the course of three weeks, LitOct brings a rich and varied line-up of talks, workshops, readings, performances, and family-friendly events. Here are just some highlights:
- Author Talks: Meet writers including Vivien Brown, Sam Davey, and Gatlin Perrin.
- Writing Workshops: Get hands-on with sessions like “Bringing your characters to life” with Vivien Brown.
- Storytelling & Drama: Events such as “Once upon another time…”, Seven Shakespearean Sonnets on Sunday with Sally and more, featuring live performance elements.
- Poetry Showcases: Enjoy readings and performances by poets, celebrating both established and emerging voices in the poetry community.
- Crime & Mystery: Sisters in Crime promises an engaging session for lovers of suspense.
- Family-Friendly Events: Bring the whole family to join the action and adventure with interactive activities and creative fun.
- Community-Anchored Events: The annual Apple Pie Supper, the Southlands Creative Writing Competition with prizegiving by Elizabeth Drummond, a curated art exhibition by local artist Rosemary Whittle, and a community Halloween Party to finish.
Get stuck into workshops and activities throughout the festival for a truly immersive experience.
Don’t forget to discuss your favourite events and experiences with fellow attendees!
Tickets & Special Offers
- There’s a £35 Event Pass, which gives access to all events except the literary lunch and Palooza. The pass also includes a special LitOct goody bag. (Southlands LitOct)
- Individual event tickets range from £3 to approximately £15 or more, depending on the event.
- Spaces are limited, and most events require booking. Best to reserve early.
Why You Should Go
LitOct is more than just a festival—it’s a chance for Hillingdon to come together around storytelling and creativity, bringing together readers from across the region. Over the years, the festival has grown in tradition and reputation, becoming a highlight in the literary calendar. LitOct has had some notable alumni from previous years.
We encourage you to visit the festival for a memorable experience. Here’s a brief list of reasons to attend: connect with fellow readers and book lovers, discover new voices, sharpen your craft, enjoy community-centred events, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of local and national literary culture. Whether you want to listen, learn, write, or just be inspired, this festival offers it all. Plus, with local artists and community-centred events, it feels intimate and accessible. It’s an opportunity to discover new voices, sharpen your craft, and enjoy literary culture without going far.
Food and Beverage
No literary festival is complete without delicious food and drink to fuel your imagination. At LitOct, the Hillingdon & West London Literature Festival, attendees can look forward to a tempting array of food and beverage options provided by Southlands Community Cafe, including a fantastic variety of Vegan options. Enjoy a leisurely meal or a quick snack as you move between events, talks, and readings—our literary festival in West London is the perfect place for your love of literature.
Volunteer Opportunities
The London Literature Festival thrives thanks to the passion and dedication of its volunteers. If you’re a book lover or story enthusiast looking to get involved, volunteering at the festival is a fantastic way to celebrate literature and connect with others who share your interests. Volunteers play a crucial role in every aspect of the event, from helping with setup and registration to supporting attendees and assisting with readings and talks. In return, you’ll have the chance to learn more about literature, gain valuable experience in event management, and become part of a vibrant community. Whether you’re available in autumn or spring, there are opportunities to contribute your time and energy to this celebration of reading and creativity. Volunteering at the festival or Southlands is not just about giving back—it’s about joining a network of people who love books, stories, and the world of ideas.
Practical Details
- Where: Southlands Arts Centre, 75 The Green, West Drayton, Middlesex, UB7 7PW – the place where the festival takes place
- When: 4th–26th October 2025. While LitOct is in October, other major literary festivals take place in August and September, such as those in Oxford, Scotland (including the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August), Wales (Hay Festival), and Toronto. Look out for special events happening on Sun during the festival.
- How to Book: Via the Southlands LitOct schedule page or through TicketSource. Some tickets may also be available in person at the venue’s community café.
Don’t miss this opportunity to let your imagination roam, support local artists, and dive into the written word. Mark your calendar, grab your pass, and we’ll see you at Southlands for a fantastic LitOct 2025! Don’t forget to spread the word about the festival to friends and family.
Author: LukeAdmin
Web designer at FAS Media