The 2026 National Book Festival is back: how to make the most of it

The 2026 National Book Festival returns to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The free event features more than 80 speakers—including Cynthia Erivo, Martin Scorsese, and Emily Wilson—plus workshops, family activities, and livestreams for readers who cannot attend in person. Organized by the Library of Congress, this year's national book festival expands beyond traditional author talks to spotlight film, music, and the institution's vast collections.

Key Takeaways

• The 2026 National Book Festival runs Aug. 22, 9 a.m.–8 p.m., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center; entry is free but tickets are required.
• Headliners include Cynthia Erivo, Martin Scorsese, Kate McKinnon, Emily Wilson, Reid Wiseman, and David M. Rubenstein, alongside dozens of authors.
• Individual talks and signings are first-come, first-served; main-stage events will be livestreamed, with full videos posted afterward.
• Freedom 250 Grand Prix road closures will affect D.C. traffic—Metro's Mount Vernon Square stop is the easiest route in.
• Visitors may bring one carried bag, a water bottle, and snacks; check each author's page before bringing books from home to sign.

When and where is the 2026 National Book Festival?

The Library of Congress stages the festival on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest D.C. Admission is free and open to the public, though organizers require advance registration for entry tickets.

Same-day tickets remain available online through the Library of Congress website. Your ticket allows you to leave and re-enter the venue throughout the day. For broader coverage of culture and events shaping the capital, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.

Who is speaking at this year's National Book Festival?

Literary director Clay Smith told WTOP the festival aims to showcase "the magic and the vastness" of Library of Congress collections while offering a broader look at American culture beyond books alone. More than 80 speakers are scheduled across talks, workshops, and interactive programs.

Cynthia Erivo, the "Wicked" star, will discuss her new memoir and life as an artist and musician. Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese will speak on preserving America's film history—a core mission at the library. Kate McKinnon, the actress and former "SNL" cast member, is also on the lineup.

On the literary side, Emily Wilson—whose translation of Homer's "Odyssey" drew wide acclaim—will join a joint talk on poetry translation and host a book signing. Artemis II astronaut Reid Wiseman, philanthropist David M. Rubenstein, NPR's Kitchen Sisters, and Max Brooks, presenting a radio play of his graphic novel "The Harlem Hellfighters," round out the cross-disciplinary roster.

How do you get tickets and plan your visit?

Register for free tickets on the Library of Congress National Book Festival page. While advance registration is advised, same-day tickets are released online for anyone who decides at the last minute.

Seating for individual author events, including talks and signings, is first-come, first-served—so arrive early for marquee sessions. Main-stage programming will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person, and videos of all events will be posted after the festival ends.

Organizers also offer a searchable online schedule covering workshops on copyright law, oral storytelling, and hands-on looks at library collections—useful tools for planning a packed day.

What should you know about D.C. traffic this weekend?

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix runs the same weekend, closing roads along a 1.7-mile National Mall course. NBC4 Washington reports that congestion and parking restrictions will almost certainly affect festival visitors, so build extra travel time into your plan.

Metrorail is the most reliable option. The Mount Vernon Square–Convention Center stop on the Green and Yellow lines sits near the venue and outside the race's restricted zones. Metrobus riders should expect detours and possible delays; WMATA publishes expected route changes online.

Each visitor may bring one carried item—such as a small backpack or rolling carry-on—to hold purchases and festival merch. Water bottles and packed lunches or snacks are permitted, though food is also sold inside the convention center. If you bring a book from home for signing, check the author's festival page first for any restrictions on what they will sign.