From Thursday, June 5 to Sunday, June 8, the seaside town of Clevedon will be transformed into a vibrant literary hub as it hosts Making Waves, the 2025 Clevedon LitFest. Nestled along the stunning North Somerset coastline, this year’s festival celebrates the rich tapestry of sea-inspired storytelling through an exciting lineup of talks, performances, exhibitions, and free community events.
Leading the festival is bestselling author Raynor Winn, whose memoir The Salt Path has captivated over two million readers worldwide. On Friday, June 6, Raynor will appear at the Curzon Cinema for a special conversation with film producer and Curzon patron Elizabeth Karlsen, following a screening of the acclaimed movie adaptation of her book.
Also on Friday, Sunday Times bestselling author Amy Jeffs will present Saints, Heroes, Humans, and Magic at The Theatre Shop. Her talk explores the fascinating world of medieval pilgrim souvenirs and legends that have shaped European folklore and fairy tales.
Saturday, June 7, features award-winning performance artist Marisa Carnesky with her new lecture-performance at The Theatre Shop. Premiered at the V&A, the show draws from Marisa’s latest book Obsessions of a Showwoman and uncovers the mysterious magic illusions performed by women in the early 20th century. The performance combines rare archival footage with themes of transformation and spectacle.
Free entertainment abounds throughout the weekend. Festival favorites Rimski & Handkerchief return to Clevedon Seafront with their quirky musical contraptions—the Piano Bicycle and Double Bassicle—delighting audiences with roaming performances on Saturday.
The festival also highlights the enduring cultural legacy of the seaside classic Punch and Judy. The free exhibition As Pleased As Punch: Making Mischief Since 1662 at The Hawthorns traces the iconic puppet duo’s journey from European origins to British coastal tradition. Punch and Judy shows will also take place at Clevedon Bandstand, complemented by a specialist talk from Professor Glyn Edwards at The Riff Corner on Sunday, June 8.
Sunday’s program features “poems on demand” by Typewriter Bloke Andrew Nicholls at the Bandstand, alongside live poetry and music highlights throughout the weekend.
The festival kicks off at the Curzon Cinema with a screening of Summer of Soul, followed by a live DJ set from Ngaio, renowned for blending soul, jazz, and activism.
Grammy-nominated music historian Adam White will lead Motown: The Poetry of Young America, examining the legendary label’s cultural impact. Other highlights include a historical exploration of sea bathing with Allan Brodie, crime thrillers from local author Matt Brolly, poetic reflections by Xiaolu Guo, and insights into seaside culture from Madeleine Bunting and Travis Elborough.
Family-friendly events include storytime with Clare Helen Welsh and an entertaining environmental tale by adventurer Lindsey Cole. The weekend concludes with a cheeky creative writing workshop, Smutty Letters: Message in a Bottle, hosted by Rosy Pendlebaby.
Making Waves promises a unique fusion of literature, music, history, and coastal charm, making Clevedon a truly quirky literary hotspot this June.