Book lovers may want to detour through the state capital this weekend as the Texas Book Festival opens in downtown Austin Nov. 8-9, marking the 30th anniversary of the event, which is free and open to the public.
Inaugurated in 1995 by Laura Bush, Mary Margaret Farabee, and a group of volunteers, the festival was established with the goal of celebrating Texas authors and literature.
This year, organizers expect more than 40,000 attendees for events in and around the Texas Capitol, tents along 11th Street, Congress Avenue, and Colorado Street, along with satellite venues including the State Theatre, First Baptist Church of Austin, First United Methodist Church, Central Presbyterian Church, The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center, and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Check out the full schedule here.
Event Highlights
- More than 300 authors, including Ali Hazelwood, Skip Hollandsworth, and U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón
- Cooking demonstrations, book signings, and interactive panels
- Spoken word, games, and lively discussions with Lit Crawl Austin
- Flavorful bites from local favorite food trucks
“As always, the Texas Book Festival offers a welcoming space for readers and authors alike, and all are invited to come out and get lost in the wonderful world of reading. “
