Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards and Party

Thursday 1 January 1970 - Thursday 17 July 2025

Starts:

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate

Tickets £ 25.00

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year is one of the most anticipated nights of the crime writing calendar. Hosted by broadcaster and author Mark Lawson, who will interview the shortlisted authors before revealing this year’s winner.

Previous winners include Mark Billingham, Denise Mina, Lee Child,, Val McDermid, M.W. Craven, and 2024’s winner, Jo Callaghan.

The opening night of the Festival will also honour an icon in the genre with the Theakston Old Peculier Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award and see the presentation of the McDermid Debut Award. First introduced in 2024, this award celebrates new voices in crime fiction. Marie Tierney was the inaugural winner.

The celebrations continue with the official Festival Opening Party.