"Books 'N Brews" In Doylestown To Open Bucks County Book Festival

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The beloved Bucks County Book Festival is back, and it's bringing five days of literary events and activities to the heart of Doylestown this spring.

Featuring a lineup of nationally bestselling authors, local literary talent, family-friendly programming, and vibrant community experiences, organizers said this year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever.

The festival will officially kick off this Saturday with a reverse bar crawl like no other.

From 1 to 4 p.m., ticket holders to "Books 'N Brews" will enjoy moderated author conversations at one of three popular Doylestown dining destinations - Chambers 19, Paganini, and Hops/Scotch. Ticket holders will remain at one location while the authors rotate and chat among them.

The sessions will feature a range of celebrated writers such as novelist Amy Jo Burns, author of the March 2026 “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club Pick "Wait for Me"; New York Times bestselling author Chuck Wendig; and young adult novelists Alexandra Villasante and Diana Rodriguez Wallach, women’s health practitioner Dr. Karen Tang, and Lisa Slage Robinson, Radha Lin Chaddah, John Vercher, and Sam Rebelein.

“We’re so excited to kick off the 2026 festivities with our signature Books ‘N Brew event!” said Melissa D. Sullivan, chair of the Bucks County Book Festival. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

A packed house at Books 'N Brews 2025.

The festival continues on Wednesday, April 29, with a movie night featuring the showing of “The First Wives Club” at the County Theater.

Book Fest is partnering with the County Theater to bring the beloved adaptation of Olivia Goldsmith’s novel, "The First Wives Club," to the big screen just in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. "Come dressed in your quirkiest hat and your coolest vest because we are hosting a Diane Keaton look-a-like contest on stage before the movie begins," said organizers. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

On Thursday, April 30, the festival's keynote event will feature a conversation with No. 1 New York Times Bestselling Author Tessa Bailey.

The romance author (Catch Her If You Can, It Happened One Summer, and Hook, Line, and Sinker) will be joined by award-winning writer Nisha Sharma (The Letters We Keep, Dating Dr. Dil) for a discussion at Salem United Church of Christ (186 East Court Street). The 7 p.m. event will explore storytelling and the writing life, followed by a live Q&A. This is a ticketed event. All packages include at least one copy of Tessa’s latest book, Catch Her If You Can: A Novel. Additional titles by both authors will be available for purchase at the event.

The main festival day is scheduled for Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine) at Broad Commons Park, 10 Doyle Street. The heart of the festival will spotlight an action-packed lineup of author panels, “Kids Fest” book fair and activities, local craft vendors, food trucks and a pop-up shop featuring indie authors across genres, from fantasy and poetry to historical fiction and memoir.

Guest reader State Rep. Tim Brennan at Book Fest 2025.

A panel discussion at the 2025 Book Fest.

Duck Madness at Book Fest 2025.

Featured panels include: "All the Feels: Writing Young Adult," "What Lurks Between the Lines," "Crafting Suspense," "Voices in Fiction," and "Romance is Not a Guilty Pleasure."

For younger readers, the “Kids Fest” tent will be buzzing 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with special appearances and book signings with 24 celebrated children’s authors, including Lee Harper, Pooja Makhijani, Lisa Papp, Anthony Green, and Ally Russell. Families can also enjoy a full day of live music, bilingual story times, theater showcases, yoga, and more at the festival stage!

On Sunday, May 3, the festival continues with the showing of the children's movie, "Paddington," at the County Theater.

"Come to the County Theater for a fun-filled morning with your littlest readers," said organizers. "Bring along your favorite stuffies to this free screening of Paddington preceded by a story-time sponsored by our friends from The Doylestown Bookshop."

The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited, so get your tickets soon by clicking here.

With an expected attendance of thousands of book lovers, the Bucks County Book Festival provides a space for literary enthusiasts of all ages, including families, young readers, writers, and industry professionals. The festival is designed to inspire a passion for reading and writing while strengthening the local literary culture.

“We are thrilled to bring the Bucks County Book Festival back in 2026, providing a platform for readers and authors to connect in a meaningful way. This event highlights the power of storytelling and its ability to bring communities together,” said executive committee member Chloe Raison.

Admission and Participation

The main festival is free and open to the public. However, other events may require ticketed admission. Attendees can visit www.bucksbookfest.org for event details, schedules, and ticket information.

For the latest updates and announcements, follow the festival on Instagram (@bucksbookfest).