Brooklyn Book Festival 2024 in New York

The largest free literary event in New York City

Dates: September 22-30, 2024

Every September, writers and book enthusiasts from around the globe converge at the Brooklyn Book Festival. Showcasing numerous national and international literary stars alongside emerging authors, the festival spans nine days and includes a diverse array of literary events, both in person and virtual.

Festival Highlights

The festival is attended by over 30,000 people, attracted by themed readings, panel discussions, vendors and author signings, literary-themed events, stand-up shows, and performances in various public venues.

Festival Day & Literary Marketplace

On Sunday, September 29, from 10 am to 6 pm, visitors can experience Festival Day & Literary Marketplace. Over 200 local, international, debut, and iconic authors will participate in panel discussions and book signings on the outdoor stages and at partner venues in Downtown Brooklyn. Additionally, the Literary Marketplace will feature more than 200 publishers, offering a wide variety of genres to suit all tastes.

Children's Day

On Saturday, September 28, from 10 am to 4 pm at Brooklyn Commons in Downtown Brooklyn, families can delight in a full day of activities, including readings, workshops, performances, book signings, and art projects with beloved authors and illustrators. The event will feature a Picture Book Stage, a Young Reader's Stage, a Performance Stage, a Workshop Room, and more.

Tickets

Admission to the Brooklyn Book Festival is free. The Festival's mission is to foster connections between readers of all ages and backgrounds and local, national, and international authors, publishers, and booksellers.

Past Guests

This unique and diverse gathering is a magnet for thousands of book lovers. In the past years, the festival hosted Joan Didion, Salman Rushdie, Dennis Lehane, John Reed, Rosanne Cash, Karl Ove Knausgård, Dave Eggers, Rumaan Alam, Martin Amis, Laura Lippmann, Tayari Jones, Akwaeke Emezi, Greg Pardlo, A. M. Homes, April Ryan, Alexander Chee, and many others.

Festival History

The Brooklyn Book Festival was launched in 2006 by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and co-producers Liz Koch and Carolyn Greer. The event is meant to showcase the "Brooklyn voice" in literature, as this area of NYC is home to many writers. In 2009, St. Francis College established a Literary Prize (US$50,000) to support a mid-career writer—the winner is determined by a panel of authors during the Brooklyn Book Festival.