DOYLESTOWN, PA — The beloved Bucks County Book Festival returns to Doylestown April 29 to May 3 for its eighth year of bookish celebration, featuring a multi-day schedule of book signings, author panels, movies, a “Kids Fest” tent of entertainment, a highly anticipated author keynote, and much more.
For this year’s keynote event, the Book Fest is hosting bestselling and award-winning romance author Tessa Bailey in conversation with popular romance writer Nisha Sharma on Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at Salem United Church of Christ (180 E. Court Street in Doylestown). Tickets are available, starting at $30 and include a copy of Bailey’s latest novel, "Catch Her If You Can."
Keynote speaker award-winning romance author Tessa Bailey.
On Saturday, May 2, Book Fest’s main event takes center stage at Broad Commons Park in Doylestown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sponsored by the Doylestown Bookshop, free author panels will feature over 50 writers throughout the day, including young adult authors De Elizabeth, Laura Genn, and Trang Thanh Tran, horror authors Adam Cesare, Chuck Wendig, Nat Cassidy, and Rachel Harrison, suspense authors Marc Avery, M.L.RIO, Clémence Michallon, and Victor Suthammanont.
Also, debut novelists Hafeez Lakhani, Stacy Nathaniel Jackson, and Caroline Palmer, romance authors LaQuette, Victoria Schade, Betty Corrello, and Jamie Brenner, buzzworthy novelists Lee Kelly, Timothy Janovsky, and Tom Vellner, food centric authors Danielle Sepsy, Margaret Eby, and Becky Diamond, non-fiction writers M. Nzadi Keita, Jeannine A. Cook and Susan Seidelman, bestselling authors Megan Okonsky, Nisha Sharma, Nova Ren Suma and Katie Siegel, and dark-fiction writers Lauren A. Forry, Erin E. Adams and Taylor Grothe.
Book author panels with over 50 well-known writers.
Free interactive story times throughout the Saturday festival
For the young and young at heart, follow the sights and sounds to the Kids Fest tent where award-winning children’s authors and illustrators will be waiting to talk and sign their books. The Michener Museum will host a crafting table, and families can enjoy free balloon animals, face painting and interactive story times at the Kids Fest stage.
The Indie Author Popup Tent, sponsored by Commonplace Reader in Yardley, will set up stakes again this year, featuring books for sale from dozens of local area writers. Fest-goers can also enjoy nibbles from the Festival’s Food Truck Alley on Doyle Street. Tents and activities from area organizations such as the Bucks County Free Library and Roxy Therapy Dogs, and craft vendors will offer book-ish items for sale.
Young readers will enjoy reading to the dogs of Roxy Readers at this year's festival.
For those looking for more readerly fun before the weekend begins, booklovers can celebrate Book Fest’s return early on Wednesday, April 29, 7 p.m. with a “Movie Night” at The County Theater featuring a special screening of “The First Wives Club.” Starring Diane Keaton, Bette Midler, and Goldie Hawn, attendees are encouraged to come wearing their showstopping vests and hats, as there will be a Diane Keaton look-a-like contest on stage before the film begins! Tickets are $13.50 for general admission and $8 for County Theater members.
Book Fest concludes on Sunday, May 3, with a screening of the family favorite “Paddington” at The County Theater at 10 a.m. Presented in partnership with The County Theater, admission to attend is free.
“It’s our biggest year yet,” says Festival Chair Mel Sullivan. “We are so excited to be a place to celebrate all things books in Bucks County.”
To learn more about Bucks County Book Fest 2026, purchase tickets to exclusive events, and see the schedule of daily activities, visit bucksbookfest.org.
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