Founded in 1949 in the spa town of Cheltenham, the Cheltenham Literary Festival is the world’s longest-running festival of its kind as well as one of its most prestigious literary events. Each year, the festival draws some of the biggest names in literature and adjacent spheres, from Salman Rushdie and Stephen King to Hillary Clinton and David Cameron. The 10-day program includes talks from over 900 speakers, poetry readings by local artists, live music, and a wide selection of family-friendly events. Tickets go on sale on August 30, but if you don’t manage to get one, a variety of free programming is available each day. —Paulina Prosnitz