Annual Texas Book Festival

Texas Book Festival Weekend

Don Tate at the 2021 Texas Book Festival.

One of the largest and most prestigious literary festivals in the country, the annual Texas Book Festival features 275+ nationally and critically recognized authors across all genres and age groups, 20+ venues including the State Capitol, 80+ exhibitors, local food trucks, family activities, and countless opportunities to meet authors and fellow book lovers. Co-founded in 1995 by First Lady Laura Bush and Mary Margaret Farabee, the Festival has hosted thousands of notable, award-winning, and celebrity authors over the years, including Margaret Atwood, Robert Caro, Sandra Cisneros, Colson Whitehead, Salman Rushdie, Cheryl Strayed, Walter Mosley, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Celeste Ng, and many, many others.

The 2022 Texas Book Festival was held November 5 – 6, 2022 in downtown Austin in and around the State Capitol. Check out the 2022 author lineup, 2022 featured books, and how to attend this year’s Festival.

First Edition Literary Gala

One of the best (and most fun) ways to support TBF’s mission and programs is to attend the First Edition Literary Gala, the Texas Book Festival’s main annual fundraiser. The First Edition Literary Gala is a black tie celebration held the Friday evening of the Festival Weekend. Always a memorable event, the Gala is packed with literary luminaries, dignitaries, and cultural arts supporters. Proceeds from the Gala allow us to keep the Festival Weekend free for everyone and also fund our year round outreach programs, including Reading Rock Stars and Texas Public Library Grants.

The 2023 First Edition Literary Gala will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Learn more about the Gala.

We Are A Non-Profit Organization

The Texas Book Festival is a non-profit organization. We welcome your contributions to help produce this popular annual event and year-round literary events, as well as to support our literacy programs and grants to Texas public libraries. Donate to Texas Book Festival online at any time.  When you give $100 or more, we thank you with a Festival Friends Pass, which provides priority seating and signing line access for you and one guest at select venues and signings during the Festival Weekend. We are grateful for your support of literature, libraries and literacy in Texas!