May

Now until May 24, Brighton Festival

The largest English multi-arts event has its first ever guest artistic director, Anish Kappor, presenting books and debates alongside music and theatrical spectaculars.

21-31, Guardian Hay festival, Powys

Writers, comedians and musicians come together to provide unrivalled cultural nourishment. But then we would say that.

June

19-27, Lowdham book festival, Nottinghamshire

Dominated by Flicks in the Sticks – a weekend of films based on books.

July

3-5, Beyond The Border: Wales international storytelling festival, South Wales

St Donats Castle plays host to a celebration of world oral tradition.

10-19, Ealing literary festival, London

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Will Self and Toby Young give talks.

10-19, Ways With Words, Devon

Book readers meet book writers in the grand setting of Darlington Hall.

19 July-10 Sept, BBC Proms literary festival, London

A smorgasbord of literary interviews and discussions, many for Radio 3 broadcast.

24-26, Port Eliot Lit Fest, Cornwall

Bohemian literary camping festival with music, comedy, food and the simply bizarre.

August

15-31, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh

Hundreds of author interviews, literary debates and workshops.

September

3-13, Bristol poetry festiva, Bristol

A host of respected poets and a Bristol vs Allstars slam.

5-6, Islay book festival, Argyllshire

The island plays host to 11 speakers on a range of literary topics.

18-27, The Bath festival of children's literature, Somerset

Meet Michael Rosen, Michael Morpurgo and Shaun the Sheep.

25 Sept-4 Oct, Wigtown book festival, Wigtownshire

A joint book and whisky festival, celebrating the myriad links between the two.

26 Sept-4 Oct, Appledore book festival, Devon

Created when the council tried to close the local library, this is a true community event.

29 Sept-3 Oct, Inverness book festival, Inverness-shire

Gordon Burn tops an interesting and varied bill of writers.

October

1-11, Beverley literature festival, Yorkshire

Lionel Shriver, Bernard Cornwell and Jeremy Strong give talks. Plenty of workshops too.

6-24, Chester literature Festival, Cheshire

Talks from writers, workshops, readings and spoken word performance.

12-17, Bournemouth literary festival, Dorset

A children's writing workshop hopes to find the next JK Rowling.

15-24, Guildford book festival, Surrey

Various Guildford venues host writing workshops and high profile talks.

2-4, Henley literary festival, Oxfordshire

Henley plays host to heavyweight historians, novelists and commentators.

2-18, Ilkley literature festival, West Yorkshire

Northern literary festival with an impressive line-up.

9-18, Cheltenham Literature Festival

Books with added jazz, celebrating the 60th year of the event.

12-18, Mere literary festival, Wiltshire

Small village festival in aid of local charities.

15-25, Manchester literature festival, Manchester

International authors, independent publishing showcases and new media experimentalism.

• The Big Chill Guide to Summer Living contains all this year's best events and activities. Published by Guardian Books, it is available for £12.99 (rrp £14.99)