The Most Vibrant Literary Festivals Happening in 2024
There are times when you want to be alone with a good book, curled up by a fireplace, or gazing out the window as the rain falls. Other times, you want to be surrounded by people and celebrate literature. A literary festival is the perfect way to do both. You can meet your favorite authors, ask questions about your most treasured books, and simply bask in the joy that literature brings you.
At a literary festival, you’ll find a wide variety of events and activities to enjoy. You can attend author talks, panel discussions, workshops, and readings. You can also browse through book stalls and meet up with fellow book lovers. And of course, no literary festival would be complete without a good book signing.
If you’re a book lover, a literary festival is a must-attend event. It’s a great way to celebrate your love of literature, meet new people, and learn more about the writing process. If you’re planning to attend a festival in 2024, here is a comprehensive list to choose from.
This book festival is a celebration of learning and literacy that
is fun as well as educational, bringing together people of all ages who share a love of reading and who
will leave the event inspired by their experiences, and maybe with a free autographed book, as there
will be hourly drawings where lucky visitors can win a free copy of a book written by a festival author.
The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival is a world class gathering of
writers, thinkers, and people contributing to the intellectual vitality of the time — “Coachella for the
brain.”
Every year the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature brings
together people from the four corners of the world to Dubai to entertain, captivate and inspire us.
These extraordinary writers bring new ideas and different perspectives, promoting dialogue, sharing
their works, their thoughts, and their words, and building bridges across cultures. This is a festival
full of ideas, conversations, and stories being written, filling us with hope for the future.
The Jaipur Literature Festival is an annual literary festival
which takes place in the Indian city of Jaipur. In the five day event, authors and dignitaries from
across the world, and especially the South East Asian countries, participate and engage with crowds on
various issues and partake in readings, debates, and discussions with them and with each other. The
Festival is essentially an event of coming together of some of the world’s greatest minds, historians,
humanitarians, sports people, business leaders, and entertainers from all walks of life who share the
stage and put forward their ideas and thoughts.
This is a festival that celebrates literature and writing. It
features a range of events, including author talks, book launches, workshops, and more.
The Savannah Book Festival hosts national, regional, and local
authors for author presentations and book signings at seven venues strewn across three historic squares
in downtown Savannah.
The F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival is an engaging weekend of
entertainment in the forms of film, books, author presentations, focus groups, and good music. Writers
visit F.R.E.S.H to network with fellow authors, meet with readers and fans, and sell books. Moreover,
there’s something for every reader’s indulgence.
From children’s books to sports, from romance to self-help, from
poetry to historical and contemporary novels, the Williamsburg Book Festival has exceptional offerings
from cover to cover.
This Annual Black History Month event was created to celebrate the
Power of Black Literature, reinforce the fact that Representation Matters and to proudly Encourage Black
Economics. Literacy improves our lives by expanding the capabilities that reduce poverty by increasing
the likelihood of success in educational and career endeavors, which have proven to have positive
effects on a community’s health and overall quality of life. Literacy empowers and liberates people.
Let the best of local and national storytelling talent captivate
you at this festival, with concurrent sessions featuring keynote presentations and panels across popular
and emergent genres.
Join the Monroeville Literary Festival in the courtroom made
famous by To Kill a Mockingbird for captivating readings, enlightening discussions, amusing
conversations and Monroeville’s famous brand of hospitality. Friends, old and new, are welcomed to
discover new authors, celebrate favorite writers and share great times with others who love Southern
literature.
The Ennis Book Club Festival focuses mainly on readers and book
lovers. It attracts a host of national and international writers and speakers. The festival includes
author readings and discussions. It also offers a diversity of events each year, including debates on
topical affairs, workshops, poetry readings, theatre, music, bookclub quizzes, and walking tours through
Ennis’ historic streets.
The Southwest Reading Festival encourages adults, teens, and
children to visit and meet popular authors in literature in multiple venues. They promote lifelong
learning, public libraries, and school reading readiness by raising awareness of the library’s services
and its role in the community’s quality of life.
The Dahlonega Literary Festival is an annual celebration of books
that takes place in March. It’s an intimate festival with books and authors on a mission to promote
interaction between them and the readers in a relaxed, informal environment. In addition to attending
speaking events and book signings, attendees can have lunch with their favorite authors at a local
restaurant.
Adelaide Writers’ Week is a free literary festival that takes
place every year in March in the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden in Adelaide, Australia. It features six
days of panel sessions with local and international authors, as well as special events and activities
for young readers. It is part of the Adelaide Festival, one of the world’s major arts festivals.
The Cairns Tropical Writers Festival is a three-day event that
celebrates literature, culture, and nature in the beautiful city of Cairns, Australia. The festival
features workshops, readings, conversations, and social events with regional, state, and national
writers, readers, and thinkers.
Tucson Festival of Books will be held on the University of Arizona
campus. So mark your calendars and save the date for the in-person return of this community-wide
celebration of literature. As always, the festival is free-of-charge for all attendees.
The New Orleans Book Festival, which is held annually, will
feature both fiction and nonfiction works. It will host readings, panel discussions, symposia, and
keynote speeches. The festival will also provide a venue for publishers, authors, and readers to
interact with each other in one of the world’s most vibrant and culturally diverse cities.
The Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival (BWRF) is an annual
event that encourages a love of reading and literature, celebrates creativity and diversity, and
promotes lifelong learning in Brimbank. The ten day program of workshops, author talks, panel
discussions, creative & professional writing, storytelling and more is free of charge for the
community.
The Palm Beach Book Festival features New York best-selling
authors in a nonprofit event for Southern Florida children and adults.
Mark your calendars and make your plans now to attend five days of
literary revelry, including writing workshops, theatre events, literary panels, scholars conference,
literary walking tours, music events, culinary and cocktail events, and much more.
This festival is the largest community-based book event in the
Mid-Atlantic region and has attracted audiences of more than 20,000 for each of the past thirteen years.
They have presented a captivating list of authors, ranging from international bestsellers to topical
specialists to debut authors.
This is a unique event, featuring writing and publishing
workshops, and a special day when local and national authors sell and sign books at a festival market in
a beautiful downtown park.
The Lehigh Valley Book Festival is a celebration of books and the
strong connections they forge – bringing published authors, illustrators, and readers together, through
thoughtful, approachable, and inclusive programming. Their mission is based on the notion that reading
is for everybody – and that people of all ages and interests can find something to spark their
imagination, broaden their perspective, and nourish their spirit in a book.
Running from dawn to dusk in the historic township of Clunes in
Regional Victoria, this two day festival is full of author and artist talks, workshops and live
entertainment for the whole family. Discover the outdoor book bazaar with over a hundred stall holders
and immerse yourself in Clunes from cover to cover. It’s worth the visit.
This is a festival of storytelling for the whole family. It
features events with writers, filmmakers, poets and songwriters on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
The Newcastle Writers Festival is an annual event that features
more than 150 writers who participate in panel discussions, readings, book launches, interviews, and
workshops. The festival aims to inspire, entertain, and challenge readers of all ages and interests.
Québec will be the guest of honour at the 2024 Paris Book
Festival, from April 12 to 14, at the Grand Palais Éphémère. Twenty-five years after Québec’s official
presence at the Salon in 1999, Quebec’s literary scene is in full swing. This invitation will allow book
lovers to discover established authors and emerging writers.
The 12th annual San Antonio Book Festival will return to the
Central Library and Southwest School of Art and will feature more than 70 authors. The free, daylong
event is a gift to visitors and the citizens of San Antonio, bringing books to life through author
presentations, innovative panel discussions, and book sales and signings. Also included in this fun day
of literary entertainment are family activities such as children’s theater performances, a technology
area, interactive play and art stations, and a selection of the city’s famous food trucks.
The Unbound Book Festival in Columbia, Missouri, celebrates
literature of all kinds. Nationally recognized and bestselling authors across many genres will come to
mid-Missouri to discuss their work and participate in various stimulating events and environments.
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.
Located on the gorgeous Festival Hill campus between Austin and Houston, in Round Top, Texas, Poetry at
Round Top presents an immersion experience like no other poetry conference or festival in the country.
The Ohioana Book Festival is held each spring to celebrate Ohio
writers and their books. This year, over 140 authors participate in book signings, panel discussions,
children’s readings, and more during the festival. The festival features books by authors, illustrators,
publicists, or other publishing professionals from the following genres: fiction, non-fiction,
literature (young adult and children’s literature), graphic novels, academic press titles, and more.
Since 1996, The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books has gathered
writers, poets, artists, filmmakers, musicians and emerging storytellers. Now in its 29th year, it is
the largest event of its kind in the United States.
The Earth Canvas Writers Festival is a weekend event that
celebrates the connection between regenerative farming and creative writing. The festival features
author presentations and specialised workshops with world-renowned writers.
The Guernsey Literary Festival brings some of the world’s greatest
writers, speakers, and thinkers to Guernsey. With events for all interests and ages, the festival is a
unique opportunity to come together to celebrate the written word. It attracts speakers from a wide
range of disciplines, from literature to politics, from history to sport, from the environment to food,
and from biography to travel. There is also a full education and community programme, together with
workshops for local writers with renowned visiting authors.
The Sorrento Writers Festival is a four-day literary event that
celebrates the written word and fosters creative conversations. It features more than 45 Australian
writers, journalists, academics, and musicians who share their stories, insights, and ideas through
various sessions, workshops, and performances.
A vibrant community of readers and writers come together each year
to bask in the love of reading. A celebration of literature, from fiction to poetry to non-fiction and
biography, the festival features author readings, panel discussions, and book signings held in venues
across historic Newburyport, Massachusetts. This year, the festival opens at the Firehouse Center for
the Arts, hosting authors Peter Orner in conversation with Andre Dubus.
The annual Hexham Book Festival presents bestselling writers,
thinkers, politicians, journalists, broadcasters, and up-and-coming writers and writers from the
North-East region. The festival is supported by numerous local businesses and private sponsors with
outreach projects benefiting from Trusts and Foundations’ support.
The Sonoma Valley Authors Festival brings people together to hear
authors from a variety of literary genres, and speakers who discuss advances being made in science,
technology, and medicine. At a time when the art of listening seems to be disappearing, the need for
civil discourse has never been greater. With so many voices vying for your attention, people are
receptive to well-informed speakers and eager for thoughtful conversation and discussion of ideas.
The North Texas Teen Book Festival strives to connect our reading
community, adding dimension to the reading experience through diverse author panels and dynamic
discussions in a safe and fun environment.
This Festival will celebrate its 21st year in 2024, bringing
nationally renowned authors to the community to discuss their books and the craft of writing and
featuring a day filled with children’s activities, live music, food, and a huge used book sale.
The Montclair Literary Festival is a community-wide event that
aims to exchange ideas, inspire future literary works and engage with different points of view. Working
closely with the Montclair Public Library, Watchung Booksellers and a team of local volunteers, the
festival will also generate lasting connections between arts institutions, the schools and the
community, benefiting a broad cross-section of participants and attendees.
The Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) celebrates Canadian and
international authors every year at its flagship festival. Festival events include panels, discussions,
workshops, and interactive events that allow guests from across Canada and around the world to
participate in the festival.
The Ottawa International Writers Festival celebrates ideas and
imagination! The program includes a poetry cabaret, town-hall style discussion, and fiction and
nonfiction readings.
The Hudson Children’s Book Festival hosts over 75 authors and
illustrators each year since 2009. It aims to create, sustain, and nurture a literacy culture in
partnership with their community and schools. Families will meet and greet world-class creators of books
for children of all ages.
MWF is a high-profile, much-loved organization that plays an
important and influential role in the local arts ecology. For more than three decades, the organization
has enjoyed the loyalty of hundreds of thousands of Melbourne’s readers. Each year, across over 300
events and working with around 200 partners, MWF brings together the diverse talent of 500 writers from
across Australia and the world-creating moments of connection, discussion, and inspiration with the
public.
The Franschhoek Literary Festival aims to bring together a broad
cross-section of mostly South African English-speaking writers and a few distinguished authors from
overseas. It focuses on presenting quality events that inspire and inform, and raise funds for local
communities and school libraries. There are also literary and publishers’ dinners, book launches,
writing workshops, a school spelling bee, wine writers’ prizes, classical music concerts, and much more.
Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival is a literary event
that showcases local, national and international authors, journalists, illustrators, poets and
storytellers. The festival aims to inspire, inform and entertain audiences with a variety of talks,
panels, workshops, performances and activities.
The Gaithersburg Book Festival is a celebration of the written
word and its power to enrich the human experience. Since its inception in 2010, the fair’s mission is to
foster an interest in reading, writing, and literary conversation. The Gaithersburg Book Festival always
attracts hundreds of award-winning and best-selling authors, poets, and songwriters from across the
country to its beautiful park setting.
The Sydney Writer’s Festival is for readers, writers, and thinkers
to share ideas, tell stories, and celebrate literature for a week of 400 fun and enlightening events.
The Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) is the leading
festival in Asia for children’s stories and young adult (YA) fiction. Targeted at writers, illustrators,
translators, publishers, educators and media professionals, AFCC offers a series of exciting programmes,
including panel discussions, presentations, workshops, lectures, masterclasses, networking sessions and
public programmes that promote the creation and appreciation of quality children’s literature and YA
with a focus on Asian themes.
Words on the Waves Writers Festival is a literary event that
celebrates words and ideas on the scenic Central Coast of NSW, Australia. The festival features author
talks, panels, workshops, cinema screenings, literary cruises, family fun days, and more. The festival
aims to inspire, entertain, and engage readers and writers of all ages and backgrounds.
The Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF) is an annual literary event
that celebrates books, writers, and ideas. It features a diverse and dynamic program of panel
discussions, workshops, performances, and special events.
Essex Book Festival is an independent charity based at the
University of Essex in Colchester. The festival’s aim is to celebrate the book and storytelling in all
its forms with writers and authors, including theatre, visual art, spoken word, politics, science, film,
and getting your teeth into some tough conversations.
In this book fair, authors will come from all over the world: from
the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Europe—not to mention dozens of authors from throughout the
United States and from right there in the Bay Area. They bring the world—and its best contemporary
literature—to Berkeley.
The Bronx Book Festival promotes literacy and the love for reading
and covers a wide range of topics relevant to the Bronx community through panels, workshops, and more
with award-winning and bestselling authors, illustrators, and creators. This literacy program seeks to
create an interest for reading among young people. All while also promoting reading and writing skills
through engaging author visits, reading group guides from publishers, and new books for children.
Lit Fest is an eight-day celebration of writers and readers, an
extravaganza of weeklong and weekend advanced workshops, craft seminars, readings, salons, business
panels, agent meetings, and parties.
Imaginarium Book Festival (IBF) is a book festival for all kinds
of readers, where incredible worlds can be discovered and explored. Its goal is to bring together
authors and readers who share a love for the fantastical. Whether you are a newcomer to the SFF and
paranormal genres, or a longtime fan, you’ll surely find the story that makes you feel at home.
The Books By the Beach festival brings the bestselling authors to
Scarborough from all diverse genres for everyone to enjoy.
The Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival is an annual literary
event that features a diverse range of events, including author talks, workshops, book launches, poetry
slams, and more. The festival aims to celebrate the power of words and stories, and to inspire and
engage readers and writers of all ages and backgrounds.
The Nantucket Book Festival features award-winning authors from
around the world, representing genres of fiction, poetry, history, journalism, politics, and memoir.
The Borders Book Festival is a free entry event with more than 100
events for all ages. The festival has grown over the years to feature more than just books. Discover
health and wellbeing classes and drop-in sessions, film, opera, comedy, workshops, youth theatre, and
fine food and drink from the Borders and Scotland in the Orchard.
The Williamstown Literary Festival is a two-day literary festival
that features more than 80 authors participating in 50 events and is run by a volunteer committee of
locals, supplemented by more than 30 volunteers at festival time.
Brighton Book Festival is a series of over 20 events across
independent bookshop week to celebrate the power of books with the community. The programme includes
activities for children and adults across generations such as a family festival, workshops and poetry
nights.
Bookstock showcases literary luminaries and cross-cultural voices,
including Pulitzer Prize winners, Poets Laureate, National Book Award winners, plus debut and
best-selling authors from Vermont and beyond.
Ledbury Poetry Festival is an inclusive, international and
inspirational celebration of poetry and spoken word over ten fabulously busy days, live in Ledbury and
online to the world. Surrounded by woods, orchards and hills, poets from all over the world gather to
perform, write, read and listen to poetry. Contemporary literary titans stand alongside upcoming talents
to illuminate a thrillingly electric mix of events, from readings, performance poetry, masterclasses,
walks, talks and films through to breakfasts, music, exhibitions and bike rides.
The Lakefield Literary Festival is a cherished annual event that
honours the magic of literature in Canada. For almost 30 years, it has provided a platform for Canadian
writers and readers to connect and exchange ideas.
The Payson Book Festival is brought to you by the Rim Country
Chapter of Arizona Professional Writers (APW) and Majestic Rim Retirement Living. It features
appearances by authors from Rim Country and around Arizona. The book festival also features book
signings and booksellers, projects for the kids, presentations, live music, and food available in the
hotel and casino premises.
Throughout the weekend, invited guests and audience members
intermingle freely, sharing an experience that provides thoughtful and challenging ideas about writing
and literature in general. Providing much needed cultural enrichment for remote and regional audiences,
it’s little wonder this inspiring Festival attracts return visitors year after year.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a distinctive
international showcase celebrating the written word, literature, and ideas. It brings leading and
emerging international, British and Scottish authors and thinkers together to inspire each other and
audiences in an extensive programme of public events.
Bendigo Writers Festival is an annual weekend festival for readers
and writers. The festival features a diverse program of events, panel discussions, workshops, and
entertainment, with local and national talent, as well as book lovers from all walks of life.
The Dunkeld Writers Festival is an annual event that celebrates
the works and insights of various Australian writers in the scenic town of Dunkeld, Victoria. The
festival features themed sessions, panel discussions, book signings, and tours of the local attractions.
The festival aims to inspire, educate, and entertain visitors with the rich literary culture of
Australia.
The Library of Congress National Book Festival is an annual
literary event that brings together bestselling authors and thousands of book fans for author talks,
panel discussions, book signings and other activities.
Since 1979 the Finnish Comics Association has been organizing the
Helsinki Comics Festival. This year’s event offers public interviews, panel discussions, performances,
workshops, and sales outlets for invited publishers to larger publishers and small magazine authors. In
40 years, the number of visitors has grown from about a thousand to 11,000–20,000 per year.
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.
The mission of this book festival is to bring together, in small,
intimate settings, authors, readers of all ages, novice writers, listeners, and learners. It is a
festival of readers who appreciate discussing the ideas in literature.
The International Literature Festival Berlin (ilb) is an annual
event that showcases contemporary literature from around the world. The festival features readings,
panel discussions, workshops, and performances by authors, translators, and artists from various genres
and disciplines.
For five days in September, Write Around the Murray (WAM) brings
people together in Albury Wodonga for a festival of storytelling unlike anywhere else.
Appledore Book Festival has established itself as one of the UK’s
most highly regarded literary festivals. Welcoming world-class renowned authors, newcomers and local
authors, it ensures there is something for everyone.
This literary event promotes a love of the written and spoken word
across their community in a variety of styles and settings, as well as welcoming
internationally-renowned authors to their beautiful island.
The International Festival of Authors (TIFA) is a literary
festival that celebrates the art of stories and connects authors with readers. It features readings,
interviews, discussions, talks, and book launches by local and international writers of various genres
and languages. The festival aims to inspire and enrich the literary culture of Canada and the world
Since 2015, this festival has welcomed writers each year to learn,
network and improve their craft. Their mission is to help writers excel and to provide opportunities for
writers to network, enjoy Dublin, and learn from key industry professionals.
The Southern Kentucky Book Fest is one of the state’s largest
literary events! They encourage literacy and the love of books for readers of all ages in their
community and beyond. Book Fest is presented by Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Warren County Public
Library, and WKU Libraries. Thousands visit SOKY Book Fest from across the U.S. who come to meet their
favorite authors, purchase signed copies of their books, and learn from them in exciting panels,
presentations, and workshops.
International Book Festival Budapest is a major event in the
international book world and a professional and cultural forum in the region. You’ll find readings,
literary evenings, featuring outstanding representatives of world literature and domestic intellectual
life (nearly 100 renowned artists from 25 countries, 400 Hungarian and foreign Hungarian writers,
scholars, artists), book premieres, art book presentations, round-tables, concerts, theatre
performances, exhibitions, film screenings and more.
The Harbor Springs Festival of the Book is a three-day celebration
of readers, writers, books, and the literary craft. It features nationally published authors and
illustrators across eight genres. Most of the festival sessions are held in venues in downtown Harbor
Springs and are free to the public.
The Northern Beaches Readers’ Festival (NBRF) is an annual event
that connects readers with popular Australian authors in Sydney. The festival features panel
discussions, in-conversation events, and book signings with some of Australia’s leading writers.
The 2024 Festival will bring an amazing line up of 50 authors.
Their presentations cover fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s fiction. The festival will also
feature outdoor performances, a book-art exhibit, food trucks, and exhibitor tents with 35 publishers,
nonprofits, and individual authors.
Book festivals happen all over the world and can take many shapes
and sizes. Their particular festival is wonderfully unique. A two-day event that takes place in the
autumn, it features in-person talks by world-class authors across every genre for all ages. The opening
night is a ticketed Keynote Event featuring an amazing headline speaker. The Main Festival and KidFest
take place on Saturday, rain or shine, at beautiful, historic locations in the heart of historic
downtown Morristown, NJ. All events are open to the public and, aside from select ticketed talks, are
free of charge.
The Queenscliffe Literary Festival is an annual event that
showcases Australian writers and their works in various genres and formats. The festival aims to
stimulate thought and discussion among the attendees and the wider community.
The Ottawa International Writers Festival celebrates ideas and
imagination! The program includes a poetry cabaret, town-hall style discussion, and fiction and
nonfiction readings.
Buch Vienna is the largest literary festival in Austria. It is an
extensive program for adults, adolescents and children. There will be an exhibition of the classic of
children The Little Polar Bear. It will exhibit products and services that will include different
publication houses, libraries, printing press, software companies, latest technologies and animation and
illustration companies.
A book festival is a great way for readers and writers to gather in one place where they can celebrate literature as well as meet their favorite authors. If you’ve never been to one, you’re missing out! Choose a few to attend this year and get ready to connect with fellow book lovers.
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The 2024 International Book Fairs Calendar
Lynette Ainsworth
February 28, 2024Hi there, many thanks for inclyding our festival in your listings. Please check the link to Writers at the Woolshed and details on it’s location. The correct website is https://www.writersatthewoolshed.com.au
Many thanks,
Lynne
Festival Coordinator
Kotobee
April 21, 2024Hi Lynne!
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Our editorial team will add it to the list in the next article update.
Barbara
April 30, 2024Exciting to see all these festivals around the world. Please be sure to add the Boston Book Festival on October 26, 2024. This will be our 16th year of hosting an exciting celebration of the written word in the heart of beautiful Boston. http://www.bostonbookfest.org
Thanks. Team BBF
Kotobee
May 7, 2024Hello Barbara!
We appreciate you letting us know about it. Our editorial team will include it in the list for the upcoming article update.