Published: Monday, 22nd May 2017

The Greenwich Book Festival and Greenwich Family Arts Festival launch this year's event.

Greenwich Book Festival

Award-winning poets, novelists and thinkers will host discussions, debates and creative workshops during Greenwich Book Festival which returns to the Old Royal Naval College for the second year on 26 and 27 May.

Schools Day will give local primary pupils the chance to sail with children's favourite Captain Pug, hear tales of African folktale character Anansi and learn rap rhymes.

Baileys Prize winner Lisa McInerney, the Waterstones Prizewinning author of The Essex Serpent Sarah Perry and Korean-born violin prodigy Min Kym are among the star names appearing at the festival.

Greenwich Family Arts Festival

The Greenwich Family Arts Festival runs from Saturday 27 May to Sunday 4 June, offering eight days of fun activities for people of all ages. The packed programme includes everything from puppetry workshops to board game fun, live music, comedy and theatre.

TV astronomer Mark Thompson will return to Greenwich with his spectacular science show due to popular demand and Britain's Got Talent finalist Christian Lee will perform his unique blend of illusion and comedy.

'Bumper programme of events for the whole family to enjoy'

Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald, Royal Borough of Greenwich Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative Industries and Community Well-Being, said: "Royal Greenwich Festivals returns this year with a bumper programme of events for the whole family to enjoy. Many of the Greenwich Book Festival and Greenwich Family Arts Festival events are free to attend - as is the case with the majority of the Royal Greenwich Festivals activities - helping ensure people from all backgrounds can get involved.

"Royal Greenwich Festivals' high quality, varied entertainment attracts a large number of local residents as well as visitors from much further afield, boosting the local economy and reinforcing the borough as a must-visit destination."