Book Festivals are a brilliant way to celebrate the love of reading, community, and the creative hard work of authors, poets, illustrators, and more. There are dozens of book festivals in October happening nationwide. From California to Vermont, states are rolling out the red carpet to honor the love of literature and literacy! Here are the best book festivals in October 2023. 

ALL THE BEST BOOK FESTIVALS IN OCTOBER 2023

LITQUAKE
October 5-21, 2023
San Francisco, CA

The West Coast’s largest independent literary book festival is back for its 24th year! This year’s multi-week festival features over 500 authors and 90 events at hundreds of venues around San Francisco. 

Highlights include a LitCrawl on Saturday, October 21st from 5pm-9pm and Kidquake–a variety of in-person and virtual workshops and assemblies with childrens’ authors. Kidquake is geared toward K-5 children and is happening October 5th-6th. 

While you’re in San Francisco check out all of the top literary highlights the city has to offer such as the best Beat Generation haunts, Maya Angelou’s old stomping grounds, Dashiell Hammett’s detective trail, and the iconic City Lights Bookstore in the North Beach neighborhood. 

HEARTLAND BOOK FESTIVAL
October 6-7, 2023
Kansas City, MO

Hosted by the Kansas City Public Library, this two day event is packed with panels and discussions led by dozens of authors as well as musical and theatrical performances, activity kits, an art based walking tour, and a variety of workshops. A keynote presentation will be given by Jermaine Fowler. 

PRINCETON CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL
October 7, 2023
Princeton, NJ

Authors and illustrators gather to celebrate all the joys that make up childrens’ literature at this one day festival (11am-4pm EST) held at the Princeton Public Library. 

Enjoy appearances and book signings by beloved creators such as Sophie Blackall, Peter Brown, Ruth Chan, Kayla Miller, Greg Pizzoli, and 2023 Caldecott Gold Medalist Doug Salati. Children can also look forward to an Arts and Crafts Activity Tent and face painting!

IOWA CITY BOOK FESTIVAL
October 9-15, 2023
Iowa City, IA

Presented by the Iowa City UNESCO World Heritage City of Literature organization, this week-long festival packs a literary punch. Featured authors include recent Oprah Book Club pick, Nathan Hill, (Well Ness) as well as a keynote author lecture by Joanne Ramos (The Farm). 

Other events include film screenings, musical performances, curated exhibits, poetry readings, and a “writer’s row” of book signings. 

FALL FOR THE BOOK FESTIVAL
October 11-14, 2023
Fairfax, VA

Celebrating its 25th year, Fall for the Book Festival welcomes dozens of featured authors in 2023 including headliners, Katharine Hayhoe, Nick Hornsby, and Marlon James. Hosted at George Mason University, author discussions will bring audience members behind the curtain and into the thoughts of writers as they detail their process, bring their characters to life, and connect fiction to the happenings of real life. 

BRATTLEBORO LITERARY FESTIVAL
October 13-15, 2023
Brattleboro, VT

Over 60 authors will join to bring their work to life over this weekend festival. What began in 2002 has drawn more tourists, authors, and sponsors year after year and continues to grow. Enjoy discussions and panels from writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and childrens’ literature. 

SARATOGA BOOK FESTIVAL
October 13-15, 2023
Saratoga Springs, NY

A literary book festival the whole family can appreciate, the Saratoga Book Festival has something for everyone–including a kids zone with loads of arts, crafts, and activities for children and their caregivers. 

Headliners for this year’s festival include Dani Shapiro, Wally Lamb, Chris Grabenstein, and Simon Winchester. Don’t forget to peruse the literary marketplace that will feature over 90 local authors! Some events for this book festival are ticketed.

TWIN CITIES BOOK FESTIVAL
October 14, 2023
St. Paul, MN

Step foot into the Progress Center on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds to browse aisles and aisles of exhibitors including authors, new, used, and rare book sellers, literary organizations and more. Kids will find additional activities and author readings at their speed too (elementary aged children will be especially excited to know that beloved Kate DeCamillo will be making an appearance).

BOSTON BOOK FESTIVAL
October 14, 2023
Boston, MA

Get ready for a full day in Copley Square at Boston’s annual book festival. Featured keynote headliners include Heather Cox Richardson (nonfiction), Chloe Gong (Young Adult) and Rick Riordan (childrens’ middle grade). 

Additionally, enjoy a street fair where you can visit the booths of the Boston Globe, iconic Brattle Book Shop, Pop-Up Poems, 826 Boston, Paperpie, and a slew of other literary press houses and publishers.

SOUTHERN FESTIVAL OF BOOKS
October 15-22, 2023
Nashville, TN

The 35th annual Southern Festival of Books will be held at a variety of locations throughout Nashville primarily on October 21-22 with special events leading up to the festival. Dozens of authors will make appearances and host discussions and panels. Heavy hitters from both the adult and children’s literature world include Ann Patchett, Tui T. Sutherland, Jonathan Abrams, and Timothy Egan among many more. 

Attendees can also enjoy live music, performances, and plenty of children’s activities scattered throughout the weekend!

HARRISBURG BOOK FESTIVAL
October 18-22, 2023
Harrisburg, PA

Hosted at Midtown Scholar Bookstore, dozens of authors will discuss their work with engaged audiences (some events will require tickets). Children’s day is October 21st at the bookstore and will feature storytime, face painting, and more activities. 

WISCONSIN BOOK FESTIVAL
October 19-22, 2023
Madison, WI

Presented by the Madison Public Library, the Wisconsin Book Festival has been delighting attendees for over twenty years. This year’s festival features over 50 author events. Look for appearances by Chef and cookbook author, Eric Ripert, and children’s favorites Jan Brett and Angeline Boulley. There will be a book sale as well. 

STORYFEST
October 20-22,2023
Westport, CT

Experience book readings, conversation, and panel discussions with a keynote from Neil Gaiman at this year’s Storyfest hosted by the Westport Library. Connecticut’s largest literary festival will host over 50 authors and 20 programs (some are ticketed).

DESERT FOOTHILLS BOOK FESTIVAL
October 21, 2023
Scottsdale, AZ

In its second year, the Desert Foothills Book Festival aims to promote the love of reading and literacy throughout its community. Join dozens of authors to learn more about their work and celebrate books!

WEST VIRGINIA BOOK FESTIVAL
October 21, 2023
Charleston, WV

The West Virginia Book Festival is back for a full day that celebrates the love of reading. Patrons can enjoy author discussions and writing workshops. There will also be a festival marketplace with new and used books for sale. Children can look forward to word play and a storybook costume parade. 

This year’s event is hosted at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

KENTUCKY BOOK FESTIVAL
October 21, 2023
Lexington, KY

A one-day event that celebrates reading, writing, and publishing, the Kentucky Book Festival will return to Joseph-Beth Booksellers to celebrate its 42nd year. With over 150 authors making appearances, attendees can expect book signings, discussions, workshops, and more. There will be a main stage of activity as well as a packed children’s schedule. 

LAS VEGAS BOOK FESTIVAL
October 21, 2023
Las Vegas, NV

For one day at the historic Fifth Street School, festival goers can enjoy a number of author discussions and appearances from headliners Ana Reyes, Terry McMillan, Rebecca Yarros, and Malcolm Nance. Themed tents (discovery, empowered, imagination, inspired, poetry, etc) will also line the event. 

SOUTH TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL
October 26-31, 2023
McAllen, TX

Celebrating its tenth year, the South Texas Book Festival is a multi-day event held at the McAllen Public Library. Enjoy author discussions, storytime for children, book giveaways, signings, an evening of poetry, and many more activities. 

Those are the best book festivals in October! Check back next month to see what book festivals are going on in November.