Half-Price Festival Offer
The whole ethos of our festival is to encourage reading, especially among the local people of Torbay.
That’s why we’re doing something special for a limited time to make it easier for local residents to attend the festival before the summer tourists arrive.
Until 10:00pm on 19th July 2026, every full-price event is available at half price when you book using the code LITERARY2026 at the Palace Theatre box office.
We’ve also extended all Early Bird prices until 1st August, effectively making many events available at around half price.
We’d love to welcome visitors from across the country, but we’ve also listened to local residents who have told us that some events can be difficult to afford, or that they’d love to attend several events rather than just one.
With guests including Melvyn Hayes, Christopher Biggins, Su Pollard, Helen Lederer and Paul Burrell, we expect some events to sell out. We’d love local people to have the opportunity to book first—without breaking the bank.
Prices Until 10:00pm on 19th July 2026
Monday 10th August
- Sarah Pearse – £7.50
- Readers’ Sea Themed Adventures (Ages 6–11) – £2.50
- Kathy Lette – £15.00
- Su Pollard – £14.00
- Local Poetry Showcase – FREE
- Paul Burrell – £14.00
Tuesday 11th August
- Stephanie Austin – £7.50
- John Hegley – £14.00
- Open Mic – FREE
- Roger Lewis – £14.00
- Crime at the Sharp End – FREE
- Christopher Biggins – £14.00
Wednesday 12th August
- Louis Barfe – £7.50
- Ann Widdecombe – £14.00
- Open Mic – FREE
- Melvyn Hayes – £14.00
- Keeping the Reader Guessing – FREE
- The Second Coming of David Bowie – £18.00
Thursday 13th August
- Georgina Moore – £7.50
- Lady Anne Glenconner – £14.00
- Open Mic – FREE
- Merlin Holland – £14.00
- Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer – £2.50
Friday 14th August
- Chris Manby & Simon Robinson – £7.50
- A. N. Wilson – £15.00
- Break Your Writer’s Block (Creative Writing Workshop) – £2.00
- Open Mic – FREE
- Roger McGough – £15.00
- Lesley Pearse – £7.50
Saturday 15th August
- Iwan Carrington – £7.50
- Hunter Davies – £14.00
- Georgia Toffolo – FREE
- Hunter Davies Beatles Quiz – £2.50
- Andrew Davies – £7.50
- Mike Pickering – £7.50
- Last Word Party (Mike Pickering / Blue Aeroplanes / 3 Days of Wonder / Mr B / Vanity Proj3ct) – £29.00
Book at www.arenatorquay.com
Sunday 16th August
- Craig Brown (also featuring Harriet Walter, A. N. Wilson and Roger McGough) – £15.00
- Dame Harriet Walter – £15.00
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to enjoy an incredible programme of authors, performers, poets and entertainers at the best prices available.
Remember to use the booking code LITERARY2026 before 10:00pm on 19th July 2026 to take advantage of these special local prices.
