Boston Book Festival Returns This Weekend

More than 200 authors will gather at Copley Square to share their knowledge and passion.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Oct 13, 2026 9:55 AM EDT

BOSTON, MA — One of the city's largest annual literary events is returning this weekend.

The Boston Book Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Copley Square and nearby venues.

This year's festival will mark the 18th year of the celebration. The event will feature more than 200 authors and 80 free sessions, including author conversations, readings, workshops, literary walking tours, and programs for children and young adults. An outdoor street fair will include more than 70 book-related vendors, music, food trucks, and family activities. Organizers expect about 25,000 readers to attend.

The newly announced lineup includes "Practical Magic" author Alice Hoffman, who will present "The Witches of Cambridge," the first novel in a new historical fantasy trilogy. Flour Bakery founder Joanne Chang will share recipes from her new cookbook, "The Joy of Cookies: New Classics and Old Favorites to Share," while sportswriter Howard Bryant will discuss "Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America."

Other featured authors include Jasmine Guillory, who is making her young adult debut with "It's Only Dancing," MIT scholar and psychologist Sherry Turkle, who will discuss artificial intelligence and human relationships, and Nobel Prize-winning economist Daron Acemoglu, whose book examines the future of democratic society. Keynote sessions will feature Edwidge Danticat in conversation with Imbolo Mbue, Walter Mosley with Tess Gerritsen, and appearances by Emily Wilson, Meg Medina, Renée Watson, and Michael P. Murphy.

The weekend will begin with a ticketed opening night event Friday, Oct. 16, at Old South Church. Author and journalist Michael Lewis will appear in conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Geraldine Brooks to discuss his new book, "Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State."

The Boston Book Festival was founded by Deborah Z. Porter and first held in 2009, when more than 12,000 people attended events featuring more than 90 authors and presenters. The festival has since grown into an annual Back Bay tradition featuring author presentations, discussions, and other book-focused activities.

Saturday's programs will be held at the Boston Public Library, Old South Church, Church of the Covenant, Trinity Church, First Church, Goethe-Institut, and the French Library. Children's activities will include face painting, costumed characters, and a "Brainstorm Tent" hosted by Reading Is Fundamental.

Admission for the free festival is available on a first-come, first-served basis as space permits. Attendees can take the Orange Line to Back Bay or the Green Line to Copley to reach the festival. The complete lineup and opening night tickets are available through the Boston Book Festival website.