Join us

Cambridge Literary Festival is a charity working to advance education by the promotion of literature, language and the arts. Twice each year we welcome a rich and diverse range of speakers to debate the urgent issues of the day, deliver lectures, present literary greats alongside emerging writers and welcome scientists, artists, politicians, environmentalists, comedians, novelists, historians, journalists and poets.

We are dedicated in our mission to enthuse a new generation of readers. Our FREE Children’s Festival returns every Spring, hosting an array of high-quality, fun, interactive events. We hold a FREE schools day in May for primary and secondary school children and aim to send them all home with a FREE book.

We work in partnership with charities, we work with community organisations, we donate books to libraries and schoolchildren, and we offer free tickets to widen access to the festival.

Why we need your help

Around 50% of CLF income is from ticket sales. The balance of our income relies on sponsorships, memberships, grants and donations. Without this crucial part of our income, we simply could not afford to deliver our festivals, offer concession tickets, provide schools events, and donate tickets and books.

Your support will help to:

  • Inspire new generations of readers and thinkers
  • Provide a platform for emerging writers and continue to attract leading voices to the city
  • Ensure that our Festival is accessible to a diverse audience

Gift Aid Declaration

To support the Festival, you may wish to Gift Aid any donation made today or in the future, and any donation you may have made in the past four years to Cambridge Literary Festival. The actual cost of your membership includes a benefits value and a donation to the charity.

Gift Aid applies to the donation and will directly support the charitable work of the Festival. Any amounts given over and above this benefits value are given freely as a donation and are eligible for Gift Aid. To discuss purchasing benefits separately please contact Elizabeth Froy at elizabeth@cambridgeliteraryfestival.com.

Volunteers

Volunteer

Being a volunteer is one of the best ways to experience the Festival. Festival stewards are at the heart of it all.

As a steward, you will help to welcome thousands of visitors to the festival, led by your Head Steward, and assist with events so that authors and audiences get the most out of their Festival experience.

Donate

Like many arts organisations, we find ourselves in challenging times. As a charity, we need your support to help secure the Festival for future generations.

Please consider a donation, whatever you can spare will make a big difference.

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Become a Festival Friend

Our Friends are our bedrock. Each year our Friends’ contributions enable us to offer discounted tickets to under 25s, those on Jobseeker’s Allowance, as well as free events for children. In return we promise the following benefits:

  • Priority booking 
  • Priority entry to festival events 
  • Advance notification of the festival programme 
  • Festival Friends seasonal newsletter 

Just £30 per year

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Become a Best Friend

Our Best Friends make a vital contribution to the Festival, helping to ensure we can bring the finest writers and a diverse selection of talent to Cambridge and our increasingly global audience. In return we promise the following benefits: 

  • Festival Friends seasonal newsletter 
  • Advance notification of festival programme
  • Priority booking and 10% discount
  • Priority entry to festival events
  • 10% discount at Heffers Bookshop, Cambridge

Only £50 per year

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Become a Benefactor

Our generous benefactors allow us to continue to enhance our digital offer. In return we promise the following benefits:

  • Festival Friends newsletter
  • Advance notification of festival programme
  • Priority booking with 10% discount 2 tickets per event
  • 10% discount at Heffers Bookshop, Cambridge
  • Priority entry to festival events
  • Your name on our website and in our programme
  • 8 complimentary tickets per year (max 2 per event)
  • Invitations to launch receptions
  • Free access to CLF Player content
  • 15% discount on rooms and 10% discount on food & non-alcoholic drink at University Arms

All for £300 per year

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Become a Patron

Patrons’ contributions enable the festival to pursue exciting developmental change. In return we offer the following benefits:

  • Festival Friends seasonal newsletter
  • Advance notification of festival programme
  • Priority booking with 10% discount 2 tickets per event
  • 10% discount at Heffers Bookshop, Cambridge
  • Priority entry to festival events
  • Your name on our website and in our programme
  • 12 complimentary tickets per year (max 2 per event)
  • Invitations to VIP receptions
  • Free access to CLF Player content
  • Entry to the Green Room by arrangement
  • 15% discount on rooms and 10% discount on food & non-alcoholic drink at University Arms

From £600 per year

Legacy and In Memoriam

If you would like to support our charity in ensuring more people

have access to literature, we would be delighted to discuss this with you.

Support us – Get your CLF Player Pass

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