Baltimore Book Festival

Description

The Baltimore Book Festival is a citywide celebration of literature, storytelling, and the creative spirit of Baltimore. 

Bringing together nationally recognized authors, acclaimed local writers, publishers, and literary organizations, the festival creates a vibrant space where readers of all ages can connect with the written word. Through author talks, panel discussions, book signings, youth programming, and community activations, the festival highlights the power of stories to inspire, educate, and bring people together.

Founded in 1996 by the Baltimore Office of Promotions & the Arts—originally inspired by Mayor Kurt Schmoke’s “The City That Reads” initiative—the festival has long been a cornerstone of Baltimore’s cultural landscape. From its early days in Mount Vernon to its time along the Inner Harbor, where it welcomed tens of thousands of visitors, the festival has continued to evolve alongside the city it represents.

Following a brief hiatus from 2020 to 2022, the festival was reimagined through a community-driven revival in Waverly, where local leaders and merchants reignited its spirit. Now in its 28th year, the Baltimore Book Festival continues this legacy—honoring its rich history while embracing a renewed, neighborhood-centered future.