Brooklyn Book Festival Celebrates 20 Years: What to Know for 2025
The Brooklyn Book Festival, New York City’s largest free literary event, is returning for its 20th anniversary. This year, the festival runs from September 14 to 22, 2025.
The multi-day celebration gathers hundreds of local and international writers for a series of readings, panels, and a large book market. Events are designed for adults and young readers, covering genres from fiction and poetry to graphic novels.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
While events span nine days, there are a few main dates to mark down.
- Virtual Festival Day: Sunday, September 14 (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Children’s Day: Saturday, September 20 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
- Main Festival Day: Sunday, September 21 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Bookend Events: September 14 – 22
Who Is Appearing at the Festival?
This year’s festival will feature conversations with many well-regarded authors. The lineup includes:
- Joyce Carol Oates
- Alison Bechdel
- Sigrid Nunez
- Nnedi Okorafor
- Việt Thanh Nguyễn
- Marlon James
Many other award-winning and emerging authors are also scheduled to appear throughout the festival.
What to Do at the Festival
The main Festival Day on September 21 is the centerpiece of the event. Multiple stages around Downtown Brooklyn’s Borough Hall will host author talks, readings, and book signings all day long.
Attendees can also browse the Literary Marketplace. It is the largest book market in the Northeast, with more than 250 publishers and literary organizations present. This is a great setting to find new books and support independent publishers.
And that’s not all! The festival ensures everyone can join in on the fun with dedicated days for different audiences.
- Virtual Festival Day: Can’t make it in person? No problem! Kick off the festivities from the comfort of your home on Sunday, September 14.
- Children’s Day: Bring the little ones on Saturday, September 20, for a day packed with family-friendly literary fun, author readings, and activities designed to inspire the next generation of readers.
- Bookends: The celebration isn’t confined to Downtown Brooklyn. From September 14 to 22, “Bookend” events will be popping up in venues all across the five boroughs, bringing literary magic to neighborhoods everywhere.
The Schedule at a Glance
Mark your calendars! Here’s a quick rundown of the key dates:
- Virtual Festival Day: Sunday, September 14, 2025
- Bookend Events: Sunday, September 14 – Monday, September 22, 2025
- Children’s Day: Saturday, September 20, 2025
- Festival Day & Literary Marketplace: Sunday, September 21, 2025
What’s Included?
One of the best parts about the Brooklyn Book Festival is that admission is completely free! All the talks, panels, and general access to the festival grounds won’t cost you a dime. Of course, you’ll definitely want to bring some cash or a card to buy some new books directly from publishers and get them signed by the authors themselves!
So, whether you’re a die-hard literature fan or just looking for a unique New York experience, the Brooklyn Book Festival is the place to be this September. Come celebrate 20 years of stories, authors, and community!
Event Details
- Dates: September 14 – 22, 2025
- Location: The main events are held at Brooklyn Borough Hall and surrounding venues in Downtown Brooklyn. “Bookend” events take place in various locations across all five boroughs of NYC.
- Admission/Tickets: Free
- Key Dates & Times:
- Virtual Festival Day: September 14 (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
- Children’s Day: September 20 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
- Festival Day & Literary Marketplace: September 21 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
- Website: brooklynbookfestival.org
Please note: All information, including authors and schedules, is subject to change at the organizer’s discretion. We highly recommend visiting the official Brooklyn Book Festival website for the most current details and a full schedule of events.
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