The 2025 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival marked its most successful year to date, with a record-breaking 19,450 tickets sold - a rise of 8.8% from 2024.
Held at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate from 17th–20th July, the event welcomed over 120 authors across more than 30 sessions.
Headline guests included Lee and Andrew Child, Irvine Welsh, Attica Locke, Kate Atkinson, Paula Hawkins, and Val McDermid.
The most attended event offered a behind-the-scenes look at the Slow Horses TV series, featuring author Mick Herron, showrunner Will Smith, and surprise guest Saskia Reeves.

New additions this year included live recordings of BBC Radio 2’s Book Club podcast with Jeremy Vine and BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House with Paddy O’Connell.
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year was awarded to Abir Mukherjee for Hunted.
The festival also launched its Big Read programme with The Potting Shed Murder by Paula Sutton, to be distributed free in libraries across Yorkshire and the North during a tour in September led by author Luca Veste.
Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston, said:
“We are delighted that this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival was the biggest and most successful ever, with more crime fiction fans than ever enjoying the world-class line up of speakers and soaking up the atmosphere of this unique event.”

The festival is organised by Harrogate International Festivals.
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:
“I’m so proud of this year’s Festival and the incredible line up of guests and special events curated by this year’s programming Chair Mick Herron, and the programming committee, which attracted our biggest audience ever...
“We’re distributing free copies of our big read book and encouraging everyone to read Paula Sutton’s entertaining cosy crime novel The Potting Shed Murder and come along to our free library events or get involved in the discussion online.”
Next year’s event will run from 23rd–26th July 2026.

'Cruel and controlling': Harrogate man jailed after years of abuse
Harrogate Brewing Co win awards for region's best beer
Ripon pub owners named national winners of community award
Knaresborough pubs to host premiere of festive film shot in the town
Air ambulance rescue teenager after horror quad bike crash near Pateley Bridge
Country estate set to be powered by solar energy
Harrogate law firm retains top-tier recognition in UK legal guides
Your Harrogate to launch Lewis Capaldi ticket giveaway during Stray Bonfire
Harrogate strongman set to compete for British title
Calls for Yorkshire Water Chief to resign following "immoral and unjustifiable" offshore payments
Long-established Harrogate tech shop set to move to bigger premises
Warnings after confirmation of bird flu in North Yorkshire
First look at Harewood House's Bridgerton-inspired Christmas
Harrogate's most festive pub to return this month
Ripon hotel scoops two national awards following public vote
Remembrance Sunday: Events, parades and road closures
Harrogate care residents race wheelchairs in support of Meals on Wheels
Harrogate stay and play café announces 'heartbreaking' closure
Newly refurbished pub near Knaresborough named among best in UK
Ripon restaurant reopens under new ownership


