Columbus Book Festival

The 2026 festival will feature a whole new lineup of 200+ national and Columbus-based authors, panel discussions, signing, a bookish marketplace & local music! Free and open to all book lovers.

Find the full author schedule, performer lineup and festival marketplace map at columbusbookfestival.org

The Columbus Book Festival is a free two-day event that celebrates a community of book lovers inside Main Library and outside in Topiary Park. featured authors will talk about their newly released books in lively panel discussions inside the library’s meeting rooms and two author stages in Topiary Park. 

Outside, the Festival Marketplace will be active with the Indie Author Alley tent, over 100 exhibitor tents, family-friendly entertainment, food vendors, merchandise tables and more.

FESTIVAL HOURS
Saturday, July 11, 2026
10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday, July 12, 2026
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND?

FREE ENTRY! There is no cost to attend activities, panel discussions, author talks, book signings and music performances.

New and used books, festival merchandise, retail gifts and food & beverages will be for sale in the Festival Marketplace.

AUTHOR LINEUP

Five headliners will give author talks and over 120 national and Ohio-based authors in a variety of genres will be featured on more than 70 panel discussions. 

Another 100 independent authors will be ready to meet you outdoors at Indie Author Alley. 

TRANSPORTATION

• Getting to the Columbus Book Festival is a breeze with COTA! Hop on Line 10 or 11 for a direct ride to the Main Library.
• Not near a COTA stop? No problem! You can drive to a Park and Ride location, leave your car in the lot and let COTA do the driving downtown.

PARKING 

• Main Library’s 5-level attached parking garage has free event parking.
• Multiple surface lots surrounding Topiary Park will be free during the festival thanks to Discovery District businesses. Look for Free Book Festival Parking signs.
• There are many paid surface lots, parking garages and metered street parking options downtown.

RAIN OR SHINE

This is an indoor and outdoor event and the show must go on!

The outdoor Festival Marketplace will still be held in the case of rain. Bring a poncho and support book sellers, festival merchants and food trucks.

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