Book Festivals in 2027 Worth Adding to Your Calendar
Reading is often a personal experience, but a literary festival allows readers to share that experience with others. Over the course of a few days, you’ll hear authors talk about their work, join conversations about books and ideas, discover new voices, and spend time with people who love stories as much as you do.
Each festival has a personality of its own. Some pair major public programs with famous international writers, while others focus on local literature, a specific genre, or a smaller group of readers. Many also hold workshops, readings, book signings, and activities for different age groups.
Here’s a list of book festivals happening around the world in 2027. Compare the dates, locations, and programs, and find your next event.
Bhopal Literature & Art Festival brings readers and writers together to explore the connections between books, art and public life. The 2027 edition, billed as The Knowledge Kumbh, includes a student contest programme that gives younger participants a role in the festival.
Pragatie Vichaar Literature Festival brings Indian writers, translators and readers together in Delhi and online. Its 2027 Author’s Marathon makes room for short contributions from many different voices, including writers taking part from outside India.
The Jaipur Literature Festival brings writers and readers together for conversations about books and public life. Participants enjoy open access to panel discussions, keynote conversations, book launches, and art installations across expansive lawns and indoor halls. To foster public engagement and community exchange, attendees actively participate in interactive Q&A sessions following author talks, browse extensive pop-up bookstores, and experience live evening performances alongside cultural gatherings.
Kerala Literature Festival brings writers, poets and readers together in Kozhikode. Australia is the 2027 Guest Nation, giving the festival a focus on Australian writing and ideas alongside conversations shaped by Kerala’s own literary traditions.
Festival Littéraire de Cannes brings readers together with novelists, children’s authors and comics creators. The inaugural 2027 edition names novelist Marc Levy as its patron, with conversations about books taking place at venues across Cannes. The festival unfolds across iconic local venues with interactive workshops, literary speed-booking, and cultural debates. Designed as an immersive celebration of contemporary literature, attendees actively engage with visiting writers during public book signings, panel conversations, and open-access community presentations.
This free festival connects readers with local and regional authors across genres. The 2027 program includes a keynote by author and sports columnist Pat Dooley, children’s storytelling, autographed-book giveaways, and the Sunshine State Teen Lit Awards. The opening reception gives readers another opportunity to meet the writers.
Hay Festival Jericó brings readers, writers and other storytellers together in Antioquia. Conversations about books, language and ideas give audiences a chance to hear voices from Colombia and beyond.
Hyderabad Literary Festival brings readers, writers and translators together across languages. Kaavya Dhaara, its dedicated poetry strand, gives poets and translators a space to share work across linguistic traditions and lets readers hear how a poem changes as it travels between languages.
JAX Urban Book Festival brings readers, families and aspiring writers together to discover authors and celebrate storytelling. Part of DREAMWEEK JAX, the festival uses books and conversation to connect Jacksonville readers with writers and voices from their community.
The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a premier weeklong cultural festival celebrating the traditions, creative expression, and contemporary life of the rural American West. Built entirely around public engagement and shared storytelling, participating artists and presenters share their heritage directly with the community through scheduled stage performances, open-mic sessions, panel debates, dance halls, and informal jams.
Hay Festival Medellín brings together writers, journalists, scientists, and artists from around the world to share big ideas. The festival is open to everyone, whether you are a student, a local resident, or a traveler passing through. Many events are completely free and hosted directly in neighborhood library parks, turning literature into a shared celebration for the whole city. Guests and audience members connect through open discussions, author talks, live music, and interactive forums where everyone is invited to listen, learn, and join the conversation.
Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias brings authors and readers together for conversations about books and ideas. What makes this flagship festival uniquely special is its magical coastal atmosphere combined with specialized programs like Hay Festival Joven for university students and Hay Festival Comunitario, which brings free events directly to surrounding communities and neighborhoods. Participating authors and speakers share their work directly with the public through lively panel debates, book launches, workshops, live concerts, and interactive audience discussions.
Hyderabad Literature Festival brings readers and writers together in Sindh. The 2027 programme includes a grand mushaira, a gathering where poets recite their work before a live audience, giving verse a place at the centre of the festival.
The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival is a world-class gathering of writers, thinkers, and readers who come together to celebrate the power of ideas and the beauty of the written word. Each year, the festival brings literary giants, emerging voices, and thought leaders to the desert for engaging conversations, inspiring discussions, and unforgettable moments.
The Savannah Book Festival features a strictly invitation-only lineup of authors who published a book in the preceding year. Open to all readers without eligibility restrictions, the event spans three ticketed headliner talks and a free Festival Saturday. Speakers follow timed solo presentations (30–45 minutes) with Q&As and book signings limited to books bought on-site. Authors share their work directly with the public through these talks, signing tents, and optional local classroom visits.
The San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival is a premier bilingual gathering connecting writers, agents, and readers from across the Americas. Free of applicant restrictions, it welcomes participants of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds. The festival stands out for creating a cross-cultural bridge between English and Spanish literary traditions, pairing keynote talks and one-on-one agent pitches with free community programs. Featured writers and faculty share their work through bilingual panel debates, intensive workshops, and public readings across the city.
The Bergen International Literary Festival (LitFestBergen) brings together non-fiction and fiction writers, poets, and translators from around the globe for five days of international literature and civic dialogue. Featured international and local authors fulfill their community role by participating in bilingual panel conversations, open debates, youth workshops, and dedicated book-signing sessions.
Love Y’all Romance Book Fest brings romance readers and authors together in Georgia. The 2027 festival opens with a keynote from Sarah Beth Durst, giving readers a chance to hear directly from one of the writers working at the intersection of fantasy and romance.
Oʻahu Book Fest introduces readers to independent authors across genres, from picture books to romance. A scavenger hunt gives visitors a way to explore the festival while discovering books and artwork by local creators.
Florida Children’s Book Festival welcomes young readers and families to Orlando for a day centred on children’s books. Orlando Family Stage’s book giveaway initiative aims to send a thousand children home from the festival with a book of their own.
Hong Kong International Literary Festival brings together established and emerging authors, translators, poets, and public intellectuals from around the world. Open to readers, literary enthusiasts, and learners of all generations and backgrounds without applicant restrictions, the event stands out for bridging Asian and Western literary cultures through multilingual programming delivered in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Participating writers connect with attendees through panel discussions, book talks, creative writing workshops, literary lunches, and public readings across the city.
The Monroeville Literary Festival celebrates Southern writing. For its 2027 anniversary, the festival invites readers to hear authors read from their work in the courtroom made famous by To Kill a Mockingbird, connecting the town’s literary history with new writing.
F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival celebrates books and the role of literacy in learning and everyday life. Emerging writers and established authors connect with readers, families, and educators, creating opportunities to discover new voices and explore the stories behind their work.
The Amelia Island Book Festival brings together bestselling authors, independent publishers, and readers of all ages and backgrounds. What makes it uniquely special is its dedicated Authors in Schools program, where visiting authors arrive a day early to present and interact directly with more than 13,000 local public and private school students, alongside an Author Expo featuring over 90 writers, a family-focused Kids Zone, and year-round youth scholarship and short-story writing contests.
This family-friendly festival brings readers together with authors, poets, illustrators, and publishers. Its program combines book discovery with speakers, poetry, workshops, and a Student Writing Contest that encourages young writers.
Adelaide Writers’ Week brings together prominent fiction and non-fiction writers, journalists, poets, and public intellectuals alongside global literature lovers of all ages, student status, and nationalities without eligibility restrictions. As Australia’s largest open-access literary gathering, it is unique for offering free, open-air mainstage programming alongside specialized components like Young Readers’ Day, Secondary Schools Day, and Breakfast with Papers political roundtables. Participating authors fulfill their community role by engaging in live panel discussions, mainstage debates, audience Q&As, dedicated school sessions, and public book signings across the open grounds. Its 2027 opening-night guest is Min Jin Lee, who will discuss American Hagwon, her follow-up to Pachinko.
The Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival shines a spotlight on youth literature by presenting the prestigious Southern Miss Medallion for lifetime achievement and hosting the national Ezra Jack Keats Awards for multicultural picture books. The celebration brings together renowned creators and educators for named lectures—like the Coleen Salley Storytelling Lectureship—and hands-on workshops that offer continuing education credits for teachers and librarians. Featured authors and illustrators connect directly with the community by giving keynote talks, leading creative workshops, sharing stories, and participating in award luncheons.
The Ennis Book Club Festival gives reading groups and individual readers a weekend to share their enthusiasm for books. Author discussions and other literary events bring visitors together in County Clare, and the winning entry in the 2027 short-story competition will be read during the festival.
The Charlotte S. Huck Children’s Literature Festival brings educators, librarians and book lovers to the University of Redlands to explore how children’s books can be used in classrooms and libraries. The university’s 2027 lineup includes author and illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton, author Kate Messner and writer Rex Ogle.
The Literary Women Long Beach Festival of Authors uniquely focuses on championing women writers and bringing contemporary female literary voices to the forefront. The festival stands out for its all-female author lineup spanning fiction, historical drama, climate writing, and memoir, anchored by its Emerging Writer Program which grants festival passes and mentorship to rising talent. Featured authors share their work through mainstage presentations, creative process discussions, open book Q&As, and official signing sessions with attendees.
This free reading festival connects readers of different ages with authors through book talks, sales, and signing opportunities. Its family program includes a free book for every child and teenager, encouraging younger visitors to discover their next read.
The Dahlonega Literary Festival brings readers and writers together in north Georgia to talk about books and storytelling. Author conversations give visitors a chance to hear how writers approach their work and to discover books they might not have encountered elsewhere.
The North Texas Teen Book Festival brings together prominent young adult and middle-grade authors to celebrate teen literature and foster a lifelong love of reading. Free and open to readers of all backgrounds, the festival features a specialized Educator Day offering professional development alongside a main festival day packed with interactive panels and book signings. Featured authors connect with attendees through multi-author panel discussions, keynotes, and dedicated signing sessions throughout the event.
This free festival connects readers of all ages with writers and thinkers through conversations about books, culture, and ideas. Its 2027 program includes a Family Day on Sunday, giving younger readers and their families a dedicated part in the literary celebration.
The Venice Book Fair and Writers Festival brings readers and writers together for three days under the theme “Keep Venice Lit!” It opens with The Foreword at The Island Bookshop, where three local romance and thriller authors discuss what drew them to their genres. The festival closes with an outdoor book fair in West Blalock Park.
StAnza: Scotland’s International Poetry Festival brings together leading contemporary poets, spoken word artists, and performance creators from Scotland and around the world.Open to poetry enthusiasts of all backgrounds, the gathering stands out for blending live poetry readings with visual art exhibitions, film screenings (StAnza on Screen), and cross-genre musical collaborations. Featured poets connect with audiences through spoken word showcases, multi-author panel discussions, open mic sessions, and dedicated book-signing tables.
The Suffolk Virginia Authors Festival welcomes readers and aspiring writers for author conversations, book signings and discussions about writing. Visitors can meet writers from different genres, explore their books and learn more about the work that goes into telling a story.
This public celebration of books brings readers together with authors, exhibitors, and family activities. Alongside book discovery and author presentations, the festival supports emerging writers through its Literary Awards competition and opportunities for young authors and artists.
Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival brings writers, readers and storytellers together in Melbourne’s west. Author conversations and other literary events give audiences a chance to hear local voices and explore how stories are written and shared.
The Oxford Literary Festival gathers world-renowned novelists, Nobel laureates, historians, and public intellectuals alongside readers of all ages and backgrounds. Open to the public, the festival stands out for its high-profile debate series—such as the Oxford Debates and Chancellor’s Forum—and the presentation of prestigious honors like the Bodley Medal. Featured authors and scholars share their work through keynote lectures, panel debates, one-on-one interviews, creative workshops, and signing sessions.
The Time of the Writer festival is an annual meeting ground of South Africa’s leading and newly published authors to engage with the public in a 6 day cultural immersion programme where literature is celebrated, showcased and discussed. The festival is presented both online and as an embodied live event featuring in total between 80- to 100 writers in conversation about both their books and the subjects that they write about. The festival programme includes book launches, discussions, live readings, workshops and a dedicated online series featuring literary experts in the isiZulu language as well as a focused programme on developing creative writing.
Readers, nationally published authors, and illustrators gather across Eastern Pennsylvania for a multi-day community celebration of literature. The festival features front-list author panel discussions, book signings, creative workshops, thematic book swaps, and evening literary receptions designed to champion deep reading, thoughtful discourse, and direct author engagement.
The Clunes Booktown Festival transforms an entire regional town into an expansive open-air book bazaar. As the southern hemisphere’s pioneer and Australia’s only recognized member of the International Organisation of Booktowns, the gathering features over 100 independent booksellers, rare book dealers, printmakers, and bookbinders setting up alongside street performers and local winemakers. Participating writers, historians, and artists share their work through outdoor panel discussions, live bookbinding demonstrations, poetry slams, and specialized author signings.
The Books by the Bay Festival brings together authors, poets, independent publishers, and literary enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate storytelling and community literacy. Organised as an initiative of Emerald Coast Writers, the event is open to readers of all ages and backgrounds. It stands out for its diverse programming array, featuring rotating Author Tent sessions, live poetry readings, stage performances, industry panels, costumed literary characters, and interactive literary walks.
Storyfest Gold Coast serves as a premier youth literature gathering connecting young readers, families, and educators with prominent Australian and international storytellers and illustrators. The event features a distinct lineup of signature gatherings, including the family-focused Prologue Party with fireworks, a book-club style Literary Lunch, a Young Illustrators’ Breakfast, and the Young Writers’ Dinner, which celebrates the national winners of the Somerset Storyfest Novella Writing Competition and National Poetry Prize. Featured authors, illustrators, and journalists participate through masterclasses, hands-on creative workshops, live panel discussions, and book signing sessions.
Readers, authors, and publishing professionals gather annually in Charlottesville, Virginia, for a multi-day celebration of the written word. This community-driven festival hosts expansive author panels, poetry readings, interactive workshops, and family literacy events across the University of Virginia campus and downtown venues.
The Newcastle Writers Festival brings together prominent Australian and international authors, journalists, poets, and storytellers to celebrate contemporary literature and public discourse. The festival features signature cross-genre programming like Words & Music (where musicians perform original songs inspired by festival books) and host live podcast tapings alongside a dedicated Family Fun Day for young readers. It also fosters new talent through its annual Fresh Ink Prize and Story Hunter Schools Writing Competition. Participating writers engage with audiences through panel discussions, one-on-one author conversations, creative workshops, and book signing sessions.
Quais du Polar transforms Lyon, France (the historic birthplace of cinema and forensic science) into an international capital for mystery, thriller, and crime fiction. Open to the public, the festival brings together hundreds of international novelists, screenwriters, journalists, and scientists. It stands out for its immersive city-wide urban investigation game, film screenings across regional cinemas, multidisciplinary museum partnerships, and the massive Grande Librairie book market housed within the Palais de la Bourse.
Escales du Livre is a literature festival in Bordeaux that brings French and international writing, graphic literature and books for young readers together. A shared bookshop staffed by regional booksellers and independent publishers lets readers browse across those strands in one place.
BookCon is a premier, fan-centric pop-culture book convention organized by ReedPop that bridges the gap between readers, bestselling authors, content creators, and major publishing houses. Open to fans of all ages and backgrounds, the event stands out for its immersive pop-culture atmosphere, featuring dedicated BookCon After Dark evening events, a expansive Indie Alley highlighting independent creators and small-business bookish merchandise, and a vibrant cosplay culture. Featured authors, illustrators, and creators participate through high-energy mainstage spotlight panels, live podcast recordings, interactive Q&A sessions, and dedicated author signing sessions.
BAM! Festival brings young readers together with the people who make books for them in West Palm Beach. The 2027 featured guests include cartoonist Kat Fajardo, giving graphic novel readers a creator to look out for at the festival.
The San Antonio Book Festival gathers leading national, regional, and emerging authors, poets, and illustrators for a dynamic celebration of literature and storytelling. Open to all readers, the event features a lively open-air marketplace, dedicated youth zones with illustrator sketch-offs and storybook character appearances, and signature events like the Get Lit Author Series. Participating writers engage with audiences through insightful panel conversations, keynote speeches, interactive Q&A sessions, and public book signings.
Greensboro Bound Book Festival takes up the theme Unearthed in 2027, looking at what fiction and history can bring to light. In one featured session, Belle Boggs and Sylvester Allen Jr. explore the story of Wyatt Outlaw, a North Carolina community leader and the subject of their book.
The Arizona Author Book Festival brings together local, regional, and indie writers, poets, and illustrators to showcase southwestern literary talent and foster community engagement. Free and open to book lovers of all ages, the gathering stands out for donating 100 percent of vendor fees and sponsorships directly to SEEDs for Autism, a local nonprofit empowering autistic young adults. Participating authors share their work through book exhibition booths, genre-focused panel discussions, interactive Q&A sessions, and personal book signings.
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature brings readers together with writers from the UAE and beyond. At the 2027 festival, finalists in Poetry For All will recite poems from memory, giving young performers a chance to interpret the work aloud and carry on an oral tradition.
The Unbound Book Festival brings together acclaimed international, national, and regional authors, poets, and storytellers to celebrate diverse literary voices across multiple genres. Open to all readers, the gathering stands out for recognizing breakthrough talent through its annual Emerging Poet Award, featuring an interactive Literary Journal Fair, hosting a vibrant downtown Lit Crawl, and offering dedicated accessibility support through its Dis/Ability initiative. Participating writers and scholars engage audiences through high-profile keynote addresses, Write On! creative workshops, thematic panel conversations, and public book signings.
The spring edition of Ottawa International Writers Festival brings readers together with writers in the Canadian capital. The festival’s four in-person days at Library and Archives Canada bring contemporary writing into a venue dedicated to preserving the country’s published record.
The Festival du Livre de Paris gathers over a thousand international writers, illustrators, and publishing professionals to celebrate literature across fiction, graphic novels, fantasy, romance, youth literature, and human sciences. The 2027 gathering stands out for featuring specialized programming such as the regional High School Literary Prize (Prix littéraire des lycées), digital debate streams via its Agora platform, and a designated guest nation of honor focus.
Poetry at Round Top is an annual festival presenting the nation’s most exciting and prominent poets over three days of readings, workshops, and conversations on craft. The avilable workshops offer a chance to write and learn from practicing poets, while public readings make it easy to encounter unfamiliar voices.
The Get Lit! Festival, hosted by Eastern Washington University, brings together nationally renowned authors, regional writers, poets, and storytellers to celebrate literature across the Inland Northwest. Recognized as Washington State’s longest-running literary festival, the multi-day event stands out for its extensive community engagement, featuring specialized craft masterclasses, interactive public open-mic sessions, a regional Book Fair bringing together independent presses, and virtual broadcasts via its dedicated digital platform. Participating authors and artists connect with audiences through keynote readings, multi-genre panel discussions, literary happy hours, and public book-signing sessions.
Lexington Book Festival introduces North Carolina readers to writers and their books through author conversations and signings. The 2027 festival is also revealing its lineup through scavenger hunts, giving readers a way to discover the authors ahead of the event.
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, recognized as the nation’s largest public literary gathering, brings together hundreds of celebrated authors, poets, journalists, and cultural figures. Standing out for its signature Los Angeles Times Book Prizes ceremony, the event features a vast outdoor publisher marketplace alongside specialized genre stages for everything from YA fiction to culinary arts. Audiences engage directly with participating writers through high-profile panel debates, live podcast recordings, children’s storybook performances, and public book-signing sessions.
MoCCA Arts Fest brings independent comics publishers, cartoonists and illustrators together for a small-press exhibition and marketplace. Readers can discover independent comics and meet their creators, alongside artist panels and discussions about contemporary illustration and comics.
Guernsey Literary Festival brings readers and writers together for conversations about books and writing. Its 2027 Guernsey International Poetry Competition, Poems on the Move, will be judged by poet Clare Pollard, giving writers a chance to share work of their own.
Newburyport Literary Festival celebrates fiction, nonfiction and poetry through readings and conversations with writers. The 2027 edition includes both in-person and virtual events, giving readers a choice in how they discover authors and take part.
Hexham Book Festival brings readers together with authors for conversations about fiction, nonfiction and ideas. The festival also makes space for young readers through programs that introduce children to books and the people who create them.
The Festival of Literary Diversity centres writers whose voices have been underrepresented in publishing. Its signature Writers’ Hub connects aspiring authors with publishers, editors and writing organisations, giving them a chance to ask how their work might reach readers.
The Sorrento Writers Festival gathers celebrated international and Australian novelists, journalists, historians, and cultural commentators to showcase literary talent along Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Open to all readers, the festival features the annual Future Leaders Creative Writing Prize, a free Writers on Writing professional series unpacking craft and publishing insights, and educational guest access for local primary and secondary students. Participating authors engage audiences through in-depth panel discussions, political and historical debates, live podcast recordings, theater play readings, and book signings.
The Sonoma Valley Authors Festival brings best-selling novelists, historians, scientists, and technologists together in Northern California’s wine country for an intellectual gathering focused on civil discourse. The 2027 festival stands out for its TED-talk-style main tent keynotes (featuring acclaimed authors Tara Westover, David Grann, Bonnie Garmus, Min Jin Lee, and Patrick Radden Keefe) alongside its youth Students Day outreach and free public Authors on the Plaza event. Participating speakers engage audiences through main-stage presentations, breakout panels, and book signings.
The Hudson Children’s Book Festival, Inc. strives to create, nurture and sustain a culture of literacy in partnership with the community and schools in Hudson and the surrounding areas. The mission is to foster a love of reading by connecting children with world-class authors and illustrators at the annual free festival and special school and community events.
This public book festival celebrates reading through author conversations, book discovery, and signing opportunities. Family activities and entertainment give younger readers ways to participate alongside the wider literary program.
The Melbourne Writers Festival gathers celebrated Australian and international novelists, poets, journalists, and public intellectuals across Victoria’s capital to celebrate storytelling, ideas, and conversation. The 2027 gathering highlights deep community connections through its Local Libraries Program, partnering directly with suburban and regional libraries to co-create tailored literary events that bring discussions to local neighborhoods. Participating authors and storytellers connect with audiences through main-stage keynotes, topical panel discussions, literary debates, craft workshops, and public book signings.
Nairobi Litfest brings writers, readers and artists together around literature and ideas. The 2027 edition takes place across three Nairobi public libraries, putting the city’s reading rooms at the centre of the programme through a partnership between Book Bunk and Hay Festival Global.
The Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival gathers international authors, local Māori storytellers, poets, and book arts craftspeople to celebrate literature and print culture across New Zealand’s official Booktown. Set in the rural Wairarapa region, the event stands out for its self-guided Booklover’s Trail digital app, traditional fish-and-chip author suppers, a dedicated Booksellers & Self-Publishers Marquee, and year-round integration with the town’s independent antiquarian bookshops. Participating creators engage audiences through live bookbinding demonstrations, keynote readings, multi-genre panel discussions, and public book-signing sessions.
Toronto Comic Arts Festival celebrates independent comics and the people who make them. Readers can meet cartoonists and small-press publishers, discover new work in the exhibitor marketplace, and hear artists discuss how comics are made.
Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki connects readers with writers from Aotearoa and overseas. In the 2027 Schools Programme, fantasy author Chloe Gong returns as a featured speaker after attending the programme herself as a student.
Book World Prague combines an international book fair with a literary festival, connecting publishers, writers, and readers. Romania is the announced 2027 Guest of Honour, adding a national literary focus to the book displays and conversations.
The Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival celebrates storytelling in Western Australia through conversations with authors and other storytellers. Its Young Readers & Writers Program takes authors into schools, where children can meet the people behind the books and try telling stories of their own.
The FLF provides a platform for open and progressive discourse with participation from renowned local and international authors and thought leaders. Informal discussions are the hallmark of the festival with spirited debates on a variety of topical issues.
Bookstock Festival of Words brings readers and writers together in Vermont for conversations across genres. The 2027 schedule includes the UNBOUND XV Book Art Exhibit, where visitors can see how artists use the book itself as a medium.
Gaithersburg Book Festival brings authors and readers of all ages together around books and writing. Its 2027 High School Poetry Contest invites students from the Washington metropolitan area to write about “The Things We Carry,” giving younger writers a voice in the festival.
The Étonnants Voyageurs festival brings together international novelists, filmmakers, travel writers, and poets in the coastal city of Saint-Malo to explore world literature and travel storytelling. Built around the concept of littérature-monde (world literature), the multi-disciplinary gathering stands out for integrating major literary prizes like the Prix Nicolas-Bouvier and Prix Joseph-Kessel, alongside film screenings, youth-led dictée dessinée workshops, and relaxed siestes littéraires on the historic city ramparts.
Sydney Writers’ Festival brings together a broad and engaged community around the sharing of books, writing and ideas. Each May, they host brilliant storytellers across all forms in a thoughtful, challenging, riotous fun week-long celebration of writing, books and ideas. Since the first Festival in 1997, the world’s best novelists, poets, journalists, public intellectuals, economists, politicians, podcasters and scientists have come together to discuss some of the most pressing issues of our times on our stages. By showcasing a wide range of Australian and international writers, the Festival helps sustain Australia’s literary community and culture as a whole.
Artists’ books and independent publishing are at the center of Melbourne Art Book Fair. The 2027 Stallholder Fair gives visitors a chance to browse publications and meet the people who make them, as part of a wider program devoted to art books and publishing.
Mountain Words Festival brings readers, writers, and performers together in Crested Butte. Live theater is an established part of the festival, giving audiences a chance to encounter stories on stage alongside literary readings and events for writers.
Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival gives readers and writers in British Columbia’s Shuswap region a place to explore the craft behind a story. The 2027 presenters include Juanita Rose Violini, a writer and plot consultant who specializes in murder mysteries.
The Bucks County Book Festival is a community gathering for readers of all ages. Author conversations and book-focused activities give children and adults a place to discover writers and talk about what they’re reading.
The Norwegian Festival of Literature (Norsk Litteraturfestival – Sigrid Undset-dagene) brings Nordic and international novelists, poets, translators, and public thinkers to Lillehammer, a UNESCO City of Literature. The festival honors the legacy of Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset and features a regional North American theme for its 2027 edition. Alongside annual traditions like the Bjørnson Prize lecture and its Debutantseminaret for emerging writers, the event reaches younger readers through the dedicated Pegasus youth initiative and the Leseløft regional reading project.
The Asian Festival of Children’s Content brings together the people who write, illustrate, teach, and share books for children and young adults. Its 2027 theme, Connecting Voices, explores how stories move between languages and cultures.
The Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye transforms the Welsh “Town of Books” into a global crossroads where novelists, scientists, comedians, musicians, and policymakers gather for ten days of open-air conversation. Marking its milestone 40th anniversary in 2027, the festival reaches far beyond its tented village through Hay Festival Anytime digital archives, seasonal Winter Weekend editions, and dedicated youth literacy initiatives.
Instead of gathering everyone in one central building, the Essex Book Festival takes authors, poets, and artists on the road to rural villages, coastal towns, and local communities across the county. Backed by author Sarah Perry, it blends standard book talks with creative outdoor outings (like guided literary walks and sailing trips) alongside youth writing clubs and environmental story contests. Readers join in through local author chats, writing workshops, and book signings.
At Words on the Waves Writers Festival, readers and writers meet on the New South Wales Central Coast to talk about books and storytelling. Its signature literary cruise takes those conversations onto the water, a feature tied to the festival’s coastal setting.
Listowel Writers’ Week brings readers and writers together to celebrate literature and the arts in County Kerry. Among its 2027 competitions is the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award, which draws attention to work by Irish novelists.
The Bay Area Book Festival’s 2027 theme, Reconstruction, asks what it takes to rebuild relationships, communities, and institutions. The program brings authors and readers together around those questions and includes the Bookworm Block Party, where visitors can discover independent publishers and other literary exhibitors.
Built specifically for lovers of fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal fiction, the Imaginarium Book Festival gathers speculative storytellers and readers in Washington, DC. Moving beyond standard book halls, the convention-style gathering stands out with an Artist Market for handmade bookish goods, a Food Truck Alley, and interactive community scavenger hunts. Fans connect with favorite creators in the Author Hall through panel discussions, bookish games, giveaways, and book signings.
Set on the Yorkshire coast in Scarborough, Books by the Beach brings well-known authors, historians, and local writers together for an intimate seaside book celebration. Instead of large convention crowds, the festival focuses on relaxed, close-up literary chats where readers can connect directly with storytellers through Q&As, panel talks, and book signings.
Hosted by the California Writers Club’s Sacramento Branch, the Sacramento Book Festival brings together hundreds of authors across all genres alongside independent regional bookstores. Championing a strict “humans first” policy that excludes AI-generated books and covers, the community-driven gathering stands out for its outdoor Street Reads five-minute author showcases, an interactive Passport Stamp Contest, a dedicated Kids Zone, and charitable book drives benefiting the local Mustard Seed School.
Reader & Author Get Together gives romance readers time with the writers behind their favorite books. Beverly Jenkins is among the 2027 headline authors, and the program gives readers opportunities to take part in author-led games and other activities.
The Nantucket Book Festival turns the New England coastal community into an open-air hub for bestselling novelists, historians, and poets. The celebration pairs main-stage conversations with community-driven outreach, including an island Book Mobile, a Young Writer Award honoring local student voices, year-round school partnerships, and an annual Children’s Book Day.
At Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival, Australian writers and storytellers share their work with readers. Its established Poetry Slam puts spoken-word performers on stage, bringing the sound and delivery of a poem into the festival’s celebration of writing.
Lit Fest is an eight-day immersive gathering held by Lighthouse Writers Workshop for writers and readers of all kinds. It blends the energy of a literary festival with the craft focus of a writers’ conference for an unmatched and lively attendee experience.
Bradford Literature Festival brings literature to readers across age groups, with a dedicated schools program alongside its public events. In 2027, its Shaking Up Shakespeare strand gives secondary students a way to explore the plays through events created for their age group.
ITEF brings together local and international authors, publishers, and literary professionals from Istanbul, as well as from many cities across Anatolia and around the world, with Turkish literature, Türkiye’s cultural scenes, and the publishing world. In doing so, it creates a strong environment for cultural exchange on an international scale.
The Borders Book Festival brings writers and readers together to talk about books and the stories behind them. In 2027, it will host the announcement of the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, which recognizes novels set in the past.
Wild Deadwood Reads brings writers from several genres together with the readers who come to discover their books. The 2027 gathering includes Breakfast with the Authors and a charity basket raffle alongside readings and opportunities to browse books.
The Bronx Book Festival, hosted by The Bronx is Reading, celebrates books and reading for all ages. At its tenth edition, visitors can browse the organizer’s Lair of Dreams Bookshop on site and discover work by authors taking part in the festival.
Ledbury Poetry Festival brings poets and audiences together to hear poetry performed. For its 30th anniversary in 2027, winners of the Ledbury Poetry Competition will be invited to read their work, giving listeners a chance to hear the poems selected by the judges.
West Cork Literary Festival pairs a public celebration of reading with opportunities for writers to develop their craft. In 2027, two Dutch writers will take part through the Dwaalgasten (Wanderers) exchange, a partnership that invites writers to respond to the landscapes and communities around both festivals.
Independent authors have a dedicated place at the Columbus Book Festival through Indie Author Alley. The public library’s festival connects readers with writers and gives visitors a chance to browse books and discover work from independent authors.
Lakefield Literary Festival grew out of a celebration of Canadian novelist Margaret Laurence. It brings Canadian writers and readers together for readings and conversations, and its longstanding Young Writers Contest gives students a place to develop and share their writing.
Known as “The Home of Literary Bliss,” the National Book Club Conference brings acclaimed and emerging Black authors together with book clubs and avid readers from across the country in Atlanta. Rather than a passive lecture series, the intimate gathering fosters close-knit community connection through a national Bookclub Directory, celebratory honors like the Walter Mosley Author of Distinction Award, and wellness activities such as author-led yoga classes.
For the first Hay Festival Kunstsilo, readers are invited to think about a book that changed their minds. The Books to Change Your Mind competition asks them to name that book and explain how it influenced them, introducing the Kristiansand festival’s focus on books and ideas.
The International Dublin Writers’ Festival focuses on the work of writing and publishing, with sessions for aspiring and established authors. Its 2027 theme, The Art of Story, gives the program of talks and practical workshops a shared focus on storytelling.
Byron Writers Festival makes room for conversations about books, writing, and public life. In 2027, its town-wide format will take events into several spaces across Byron Bay, giving readers and writers multiple places to meet during the festival.
The Library of Congress National Book Festival connects readers with authors across genres. Its recurring Roadmap to Reading activity introduces visitors to regional book picks from Centers for the Book across the United States and its territories.
When Words Collide is Canada’s largest multi-genre, writer/reader/fan/ festival. Meet artists and publishers of commercial and literary fiction, including genre, YA, children’s books, poetry, and more, from across Canada and the world.
Dunkeld Writers Festival brings Australian authors, artists, and storytellers to regional Victoria. In a small-town setting, readers can hear the people behind the work discuss the stories they tell and the ideas they explore.
Bienal do Livro Rio brings readers, authors, and publishers together in a celebration of literature and culture. For 2027, the organizer has announced a new Book Park concept, placing books at the center of the fair as Rio de Janeiro celebrates its year as UNESCO World Book Capital.
Hay Festival Querétaro brings writers and readers together to talk about literature and the ideas it raises. Through its established Hay Festival Joven program, the festival also creates space for young audiences to take part in literary and cultural events.
Festivaletteratura is one of Italy’s most anticipated annual events. Since its inception in 1997, this five-day festival of gatherings with authors, readings, guided tours, performances and concerts has seen artists come from all four corners of the globe to come together in Mantua, getting first-hand experience of the truly unforgettable festive atmosphere.
Write Around the Murray brings authors, illustrators, and storytellers together in Albury–Wodonga. Its 2027 program includes the 24th Barry Young River of Stories Competition, which gives young writers a place to share their work.
Hay Festival Segovia brings literature into conversation with the arts and public debate. In 2027, the festival will explore what it means to pursue beauty in a culture of immediacy, a question that gives writers and artists room to approach the subject from different perspectives.
At the Fiesta del Libro y la Cultura de Medellín, readers meet writers and publishers and discover new books. The 2027 festival will host the first events with the authors selected for Medellín39, a project that introduces readers to a new generation of Latin American fiction writers.
Eden Mills Writers’ Festival gives audiences a chance to hear Canadian writers share their work. Its Read at the Fringe contest makes space for unpublished and modestly published writers, with selected entrants offered the opportunity to read at the festival.
Whitsundays Writers Festival connects readers with Australian writers and makes room for work still in development. Its 2027 Literary Heart Awards include the Burley Prize for Best Unpublished Manuscript, giving writers a chance to bring an unpublished work to wider attention.
Stockholm Writers Festival brings writers together to develop their craft and learn about publishing. Its First 5 Pages Prize focuses on the opening of a manuscript, where writers begin to establish the story and give readers a reason to keep turning the pages.
The Internationales Literaturfestival Berlin brings together global authors, poets, and thinkers to explore literature and contemporary politics. The festival stands out for its bilingual readings (pairing authors in their native languages with German voice actors) alongside a dedicated Young Program for children and teens, graphic novel showcases, and international spotlights.
Jersey Festival of Words celebrates books, storytelling, and the spoken word. Its annual writing competition also gives local writers a route to publication, with winning entries appearing in the Jersey Evening Post during the festival.
Set in the coastal village of Appledore in North Devon, the Appledore Book Festival brings books and the arts into local pubs, maritime venues, and village spaces. Originally founded to save the local library, it stands out for its major Schools’ Week youth program and relaxed seaside atmosphere, where readers often spot visiting writers along the quay. Audiences connect with authors and public thinkers through talks, panel discussions, and book signings.
Bloody Scotland brings crime writers and readers together to explore mysteries, thrillers, and the craft of crime fiction. Its annual McIlvanney Prize and Bloody Scotland Debut prize recognize established and emerging voices in Scottish crime writing.
Organized by the Finnish Comics Society, the Helsinki Comics Festival (Helsingin sarjakuvafestivaalit) is Northern Europe’s largest gathering dedicated to sequential art, graphic novels, and indie storytelling. Built around a new annual theme (such as Utopia & Dystopia for 2027) and led by a featured festival artist, it stands out for its bustling Zine Fest for self-published creators, city-wide exhibitions, and a dedicated Kids’ Comics Fest.
Harbor Springs Festival of the Book connects readers with authors and illustrators across genres. Through its annual One Bay, One Book program, the community reads a book by a past festival author and then has the opportunity to discuss it with the author.
At Wigtown Book Festival, readers and writers gather in Scotland’s book town. Its longstanding Wigtown Poetry Prizes recognize work in English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic, giving readers a way to discover poems from three literary traditions.
Brisbane Writers Festival brings readers and writers together to discuss books and the ideas behind them. Its longstanding Word Play education program introduces school students to authors and illustrators and gives younger readers a place in the festival’s literary activities.
Stretching across walkable historic landmarks in downtown Morristown, New Jersey, the Morristown Festival of Books brings Pulitzer Prize winners, bestselling novelists, and non-fiction luminaries together for a vibrant community celebration of reading. The festival stands out for its dedicated KidFest (complete with crafts, character appearances, and young adult spotlights) alongside an opening keynote event and a massive signing tent on the lawn of the Vail Mansion. Readers connect with acclaimed writers and illustrators through moderated conversations, Q&A sessions, and book signings.
Cheltenham Literature Festival brings readers together with writers whose work spans fiction, poetry, and public life. Its longstanding Lit Crawl takes literature into venues around the town for pop-up events, giving audiences a chance to encounter stories in unexpected places.
Set in central Bali, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is Southeast Asia’s premier celebration of literature, ideas, and the arts. Founded originally as a community healing project, it stands out for weaving traditional Balinese dance, music, and guided cultural walks into its literary lineup. Readers connect with international and Indonesian authors through panel discussions, workshops, literary lunches, and book signings.
The fall edition of Ottawa International Writers Festival gives readers a chance to discover new work from Canadian and international writers. Its focus spans fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, with conversations that let audiences hear how writers approach their subjects and shape their books.
A book festival can introduce you to writers, stories, and conversations you may not find in your usual reading routine. Use this guide to shortlist the 2027 events that interest you, then visit each festival’s official website before making plans to confirm its dates, tickets, guest authors, and program.
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