The 2019 UK Anarchist Bookfairs List

via Freedom News

Several bookfair organising groups have been pretty efficient with sending in details of their events early this year, so we can now put together the initial showing of Freedom’s annual roundup [for previous, see 2017|2018]. It’s sparse for now but never fear, more shall be showing up. We update this list through the year as more information comes in, so keep an eye out for announcements!

Derry being a January affair we have missed it here, but as ever it was a great day out and pulled in good crowds, according to the organisers.


March 2nd: Glasgow Autonomous Bookfair

11am-5pm at Glasgow Autonomous Space, Unit 11, 53 Kilbirnie Street, G5 8JD

Feminism, Anarchism, Action, Friends, Fun, Childcare, Talks, Food, Stalls, Loads Of Books!, So Many Books!, Screenings, Discussions, Workshops, Tea Coffee Cafe, Zines, Rattle Library.

Event page


April 7th: Liverpool Anarchist Bookfair

11am-5pm at The Black-E, 1 Great George Street

Bookings for stalls are now available at £15 per table, along with spaces for workshops and campaign presentations. Contact liverpool.anarchistbookfair at gmail.com

Updates on Facebook


May 31st-June 2nd: The Anarchist Festival

Various venues and times, see anarchistfestival.wordpress.com for details

Sadly this year’s London Radical Bookfair isn’t happening due to venue difficulties, but in its stead will be a three-day event building on the success of 2018’s Not The Anarchist Bookfair. Similar to last year’s event, it will see venues across London open their doors for workshops, talks and other shenanigans, but in addition other radical spaces across Britain and Ireland will be joining in. It’s shaping up to be the big anarchist event of the summer (along with the Plan C Fast Forward Festival on the 19th-21st July).

Twitter | Facebook


September 7th: Bradford Anarchist Bookfair

11.15pm at The 1 in 12 Club, 21-23 Albion St, BD1 2LY

More than a dozen stalls confirmed including AK Press, PM Press, Active Distro and the Anarchist Federation, plus talks from the Anarchist Communist Group, IWW etc.

Event page


November 2nd: Nottingham Radical Bookfair

10.30am-5.30pm at the Mechanics Institute, South Sherwood Street

Lots of stalls and a full programme of events throughout the day, details from [email protected]


Yet to declare:

Some of the bookfairs which have taken place in recent years are yet to declare on whether they are doing one in 2018, but if you want to keep a general eye out, details are below:

Belfast: Organisers have confirmed that it will be happening but aren’t sure exactly when yet. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for updates.

Bristol: An organising meeting was called on February 4th but this hasn’t led to a date yet, exact form tbc but organisers say it’ll be later in the year than usual if it happens. Website | Twitter 

Cardiff: The local anarchist network was the last group to put one on.

Dorset: The last two years of the Bournemouth gathering have been well received, and they’re likely to run again this year with the website currently headlined “coming soon”. Likely in June but currently waiting for venue confirmations.

Edinburgh: The Anarchist Feminist Bookfair was a fantastic success last year, and the organisers are in the process of confirming details at the moment.

Manchester: Has been pretty reliably around in recent years, mostly working out of Partisan in the Northern Quarter of the city. Likely late in the year, maybe December.

Norwich: Last year’s event was on May 6th, sponsored by the Cunningham Amendment.

Sheffield: 2017 saw the Showroom and Workstation host in late May, the collective website is here.

Swansea: A late-cancelling one last year, but organisers were looking to try again in 2019.


We’re on a break

Confirmed not to be doing a bookfair in 2019 but hoping for a 2020 showing:

Dublin: Usually organised by the Workers Solidarity Movement, previously in September.

Cambridge: Ran a smaller showing at the Portland Arms last June but won’t be doing a 2019 event.


Have we missed you out? Get in touch with us via editor at freedompress.org.uk or @freedom_paper. For a listing of bookfairs worldwide, check out the anarchist bookfairs blog

There are 2 Comments

I'll do it my fuckin' self by fly-pitching a village green. I'll do all the printing and book binding too. Who the fuck needs London and Cambridge ya fuckin' bean counters! Festival my arse!

(Come on Norwich, I need the hookup.)

Add new comment