Rebel Reading Fest

About Rebel Reading Fest

Rebel Reading Fest 2026 returns to St. Peter's, Poole on Saturday 10 October as a family-focused children's literature and storytelling event. Doors open at 10:00.

The organiser launched a GoFundMe for the first Rebel Reading Fest on 31 January 2025, ahead of a first event at St Peter's Church, Ashley Cross, Poole. The 2026 edition is listed with five book events.

Lineup and Programme

Announced acts include Sam Lewis, Nat Harrison, Alex Atkinson, Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Thiago De Moraes. The programme runs through author talks, book signings, story-led workshops and family reading events.

It is a book-event bill rather than a music-festival format. No stages are listed in the verified event data.

Who Is It For?

The audience is young readers and their families. All ages are welcome, with no separate age restriction stated on the Rebel Reading Fest ticket pages.

Tickets listed for 2026 run from £6.60 standard entry to £107.25 for a four-person pass covering all five author events.

The Venue and Site

St. Peter's, Poole is an historic church venue in Ashley Cross/Parkstone with vaulted acoustics and around 400 seats. Events are seated.

Facilities listed for the venue include a bar and toilets. Parkstone Railway Station is about a five-minute walk away.

Travel to Rebel Reading Fest

St. Peter's sits in Ashley Cross/Parkstone, close to Poole town centre and about four miles from Bournemouth.

• Nearest station: Parkstone Railway Station, about a five-minute walk from the venue.
• Other stations: Poole is about 1.4 miles away, with Branksome about 1.5 miles away.
• Road access: routes include St Peter's Road, Church Road, Ashley Cross and the A35 Commercial Road.
• Parking: limited on-street parking around Ashley Cross, with public car parks at Ashley Cross Car Park, Station Road Car Park and Poole Civic Centre Car Park.
• Local distances: Poole town centre is about 10 minutes by taxi, Bournemouth about four miles away and Christchurch about 7.5 miles away.