A Brilliant List of BIPOC Book Festivals
UPDATED for 2026
What could be better than attending a party where the theme was books and writing? Essentially, that’s what book festivals and literary festivals are, when you really think about it. And as writers and readers, that’s the kind of party we should all be trying to attend. Not only because book festivals are nourishing to our literary souls, but also, because they can be excellent places to network, to get inspiration, and to work on our craft.( Pro tip: If you are a freelance writer, ask your accountant if attending a book festival counts as professional development when you’re doing your taxes at the end of the year.)
Book festivals can be fun and functional, if you prepare ahead of time.
Book Festivals Can Be Fun and Functional
Speaking of professional development, writers should be going to book festivals not only for the good times, but also to stay current on the latest trends in the industry. What’s more, depending on the caliber of the festival, and one’s own level of authority as a writer, book festivals can be a great place to try to get speaking engagements, meet industry professionals, and/or to promote your own work. In other words, be proactive with getting your name and your book(s) on the radar of festival organizers, so you can benefit from all the in-house promotion and new audiences.
It's never too early to start planning which events you want to attend, particularly if you want to be a part of the festival. That’s why I curated this list of brilliant BIPOC book festivals taking place in 2024. I have also included a small handful of festivals that aren’t specifically designated as a BIPOC event, but they have a reputation for being quite BIPOC friendly.
Book Festivals at Home and Abroad
Most of the events listed are based in the United States and are English-language dominant, but I wanted to also share some book festivals in other countries that are well-known and worth the trip. I mean, what could be more fun than a trip abroad and attending a BIPOC book fair? That’s literary tourism at its best. Am I right?
So, please enjoy my list of BIPOC Book Festivals for 2026, and start planning your bookish itinerary.
A Brilliant List of BIPOC Book and Literary Festivals
National Black Writers Conference, Brooklyn, NY. March 25 - 28, 2026
From the website: Come out to hear from and network with award-winning Black writers and scholars across several genres and generations, including recipients of the NAACP Image Award and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, Nobel Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, MacArthur “Genius” Fellows, New York Times best-sellers, poet laureates, and other distinguished guest and publishing executives.” The 2025 Conference is the 18th annual event and the honorees include Rita Williams Garcia and Tony Medina.
Kweli International Writers Festival. New York, New York. April 11-12th, 2026
The Kweli Writers Festival is a fan favorite for BIPOC writers, authors and readers. From the website: “ Kweli’s mission is to nurture emerging writers of color and create opportunities for their voices to be recognized and valued. By creating a community of Black, Indigenous and POC artists and programming based on artistic excellence and rigor, Kweli empowers writers to share stories that engage and impact our communities. Our vision is for a world where the narratives being told reflect the truth of our histories and the possibilities for our future.”
BookNik: Your Neighborhood Book Party. Dallas, Texas. April 25, 2026
From the BookNik Instagram page: “If you love a good read, a lil community energy, and discovering gems you didn’t even know you needed, yeah… this is YOUR scene. From indie authors to page-turners you can’t put down, plus food, dranks, creative, bookish vibes …curated vendors, dope conversations, giveaways, and a DJ spinning in the mix … yeah, it’s giving vibes ALL day. Booknik got you covered!”
The Fold (The Festival of Literary Diversity). Brampton, Ontario and Virtual. April 26 - May 3 , 2026.
Diverse book festivals in Canada? Yes indeed. The Fold has it all. From the website: “The Festival of Literary Diversity is Canada’s first festival for diverse authors and storytellers, held in historic downtown Brampton. The FOLD provides one-of-a-kind events for kids and adults that engage readers, inspire writers, and empower educators by highlighting important and underrepresented voices…The festival includes panels, discussions, workshops, and interactive events that allow guests from across Canada and around the world to participate.” The festival is in person, but also offers some virtual events and programming all year long.
Bocas Literary Festival. Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. April 30 - May 3, 2026.
Books in a tropical paradise? Yes please! The Bocas Literary Festival has been listed as one of the top literary festivals in the world. From the website: “Founded in 2011, the NGC Bocas Lit Fest is Trinidad and Tobago’s premier annual literary festival: a lively celebration of books, writers, writing, and ideas, with a Caribbean focus and international scope. The Festival brings together readers and writers from Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean, and the wider world for readings, performances, workshops, discussions, film screenings, and more. Most events are free and open to the public.”
Santa Fe International Literary Festival. Santa Fe, New Mexico. May 15 - 17, 2026.
The Santa Fe International Literary Festival is not billed as a BIPOC event, but they do highlight local and nationally known Native and Latino authors, amongst a stellar list of bestselling national and international authors. I think it’s worth checking out. From the website: “Santa Fe, a city rich in cultural diversity, creativity, and dazzling light, is home to a four-day event that celebrates our shared love of language and ideas. We’ll explore issues at a time of extraordinary change—in politics, race, immigration, the environment, and more—as well as simply escape into great stories. The Santa Fe International Literary Festival will feed our minds and hearts and send us back into the world inspired.”
Calabash Literary Festival, Treasure Beach, Jamaica. May TBD, 2027
From the website: “Every other year, for three very intense days, Treasure Beach is transformed as the renowned Calabash Literary Festival takes over our rustic island outpost. Readings, interviews and open-mic sessions start each morning and wind-down as the sun sets. Thousands from around the island come to see literary talents as diverse as Junot Diaz, Zadie Smith, Chigozie Obioma, Michael Ondaatje, Wole Soyinka, Billy Collins, Tishani Doshi, Edwidge Danticat, Robert Pinsky, Eleanor Catton and Salman Rushdie. There are native sons, like Booker Prize winner, Marlon James. And, beloved returnees, like Paul Holdengraber, who regularly interviews festival headliners. And always, there are the two co-founders and prime movers who make the magic happen: Justine Henzell, Producer, and Kwame Dawes, Artistic Director.”
Asian Festival of Children’s Content. May 21-25, 2026. National Library Building, Singapore.
Singapore may be a long way to go for a book festival, but if you’re creating content for Asian youth, this festival might be worth the trip. From the website: “The Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) is the leading festival in Asia for children’s stories and young adult (YA) fiction. Targeted at writers, illustrators, translators, publishers, educators and media professionals, AFCC offers a series of exciting programmes, including panel discussions, presentations, workshops, lectures, masterclasses, networking sessions and public programmes that promote the creation and appreciation of quality children's literature and YA with a focus on Asian themes.”
Jaipur Literary Festival. Valladolid, Spain. June 11th-14th, 2026.
The Jaipur Literary Festival brings South Asian literature to Spain in this international and diverse event in Valladolid. From the website: “Each year, JLF Valladolid brings the energy, substance and vigour of the grand mother ship, the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, to Europe, and infuses it with the identity of the host country, along with South Asia’s distinctive literary flavours. JLF Valladolid unites writers, poets, and thinkers from two flourishing cultures in a dynamic literary, artistic, and linguistic dialogue in both English and Spanish.”
Schomburg Centennial Festival. 135th Street & Malcolm X Boulevard, Harlem NYC. June TBD, 2026.
A new-ish and exciting literary festival in Harlem. From the website: “ The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. The Schomburg Center Literary Festival: Reading the African Diaspora extends our engagement with authors of African descent and champions literacy and books across genres to amplify Black history and culture. Festival programming features some of the most talented writers and influential figures in culture today. The festival is built on the foundation created by Arturo Schomburg–encouraging freedom of thought, the relentless pursuit of Black history, and the engagement of our imagination towards our collective freedom.”
The Bronx Book Festival. The Bronx, New York. June 20, 2026.
Although the Bronx Book Festival isn’t billed specifically as a BIPOC event, it is an event for a mostly Brown and Black community. This is a book festival with dynamic programming featuring local and national authors and literacy events for the whole family. It’s a party and a vibe in the Bronx!
Nairobi Lit Fest. Nairobi, Kenya. May 8 -10, 2026.
The NBO Litfest began in 2021 to celebrate free expression and cultural changes. They plan to expand their audience and turn the festival into an annual event with more attendees. Last years’ guest list included Booker Prize winner Bernadine Evaristo, writers and author such as Richard Ali A Mutu, Edwige-Renee Dro, and Stanley Gazemba. Activities include but are not limited to childrens storytelling, concerts, film screening, and more.
Black Writers Weekend. Atlanta, Georgia. July 31 - August 2, 2026.
More than just a book festival, Black Writers weekend brings Black writers from multiple fields together for one weekend. From the website: “Experience the only weekend where you'll meet your favorite author, screenwriter, and film & television stars. Meet up with friends at one of the Lit crawl locations; just before you step into the Lit social for a drink. But don't forget to enjoy an intimate book chat with one of our featured literary rock stars. Enjoy live readings, parties, movie screenings, and masterclasses. Black Writers Weekend was explicitly created for creatives and culture lovers.”
National Book Club Conference. Western Buckhead Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia. July 31 - August 2, 2026.
A book festival with a twist, the NBCC is another fan favorite for readers and writers alike. From the website: “ The National Book Club Conference places readers in an upscale, intimate environment with some of their favorite authors–and introduces attendees to new talent to add to their reading lists. The annual weekend, which is almost a spiritual occasion, consists of numerous book club meetings, panel discussions and other events that give readers face time with authors that rivals any literary occasion anywhere, in a fun, relaxed and intimate setting. The NBCC is where readers from across the country come together and depart friends.”
Edinburgh International Book Festival. Edinburgh, Scotland. August 15 - 30, 2026.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is not specifically a BIPOC book festival, but it is billed as “the largest public celebration of the written word in the world.” And boasting 500 featured authors from all around the world, it is definitely a book festival with a lot of color and culture represented. From the website, the Festival is described as a, “uniquely vibrant and inspiring gathering of readers and writers.” With events for adults and children, this is a book festival where everyone can find books and authors that suit their tastes.
Harlem Book Fair. New York, New York. August 29, 2026.
A legendary book fair in Harlem, USA. From the website: “Twenty-five years ago, we launched the Harlem Book Fair in New York City to give voice to an expanding community of readers and writers. We have introduced thousands of readers to thousands of books, and have inspired many more through writer's showcases, author discussions, and young writer’s contests. Always free to the public - always entertaining, enjoyable, informative, and always self-affirming.”
Latinx Book Festival. Virtual. September TBD, 2026.
From the website: “The Latinx KidLit Book Festival was created in 2020 during the COVID pandemic by members of Las Musas Books. Our aim was to connect Latinx authors and illustrators with readers and educators in classrooms around the globe. Since then, and with the help of countless volunteers, the festival has continued to foster a love of story and literacy as well as increase empathy and conversation among educators, students, and book lovers while uplifting the voices of Latinx kidlit book creators”.
BIPOC Book Festival. Houston, Texas. El Dorado Ballroom, Houston, Texas. Fall, 2026
The title of this festival says it all. And because Houston is now America’s most diverse city, it makes sense that it is the birthplace of the BIPOC book festival. From the website: “The annual BIPOC Book Fest is a celebration centered on underrepresented voices through a showcase of literary works that feature Black, Indigenous, People of Color and other creatives of marginalized communities. Curated with diversity in mind, the festival combines the nostalgia of the book fairs we knew and loved as children with unique programming, panels, readings, vendors, book-related memorabilia, poetry performances and more!”
Macondo Literary Festival. Nairobi, Kenya. September TBD, 2026.
The Macondo Literary Festival started in 2019 to bring together Anglophone and Lusophone writers and their stories about African history and the African future. They had three more festivals from 2022 to 2024 and return this year as well. The festival revolves around bringing diverse voices from all over the globe with writing centered around a specific topic. In 2024 the topic was ‘The Sea is History’ and this years theme is ‘Chronicles and Currents’. From their website: “A literary festival on African histories and futures featured in fictional and non-fictional works, bringing together authors from Africa’s Arab, English, French and Portuguese writing language zones in conversation with writers from the Indian Ocean worlds”.
Black British Book Festival. London, England. October TBD, 2026.
Billed as the largest Black book festival in Europe and the UK. From the website: “The Black British Book Festival is a showcase of the UK’s best Black authors and an important educational platform for new and emerging talent…Join us as we bring together literary enthusiasts, aspiring writers, and avid readers to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Black British literature. With a diverse lineup of talented authors, engaging discussions, inspiring workshops, and interactive activities, this festival promises to be an unforgettable experience for all ages.”
Griot & Grey Owl Black Southern Writers Conference. Fall 2026 TBD.
This grassroots literary festival successfully launched in 2023. From the website: “Rooted in Durham, NC, the Griot and Grey Owl Black Southern Writers Conference was formed from a need. Far too often Black stories are pushed to the margins leaving diasporic writers without access or opportunity. Griot and Grey Owl seeks to answer that call. G&G is a 3-day writing conference for Black Southern writers packed with world-class workshops, panels, and historical tours that cover culture, career, and community.” After a successful first conference, they promised to be back in 2024. Following yet another succesful conference, plans are made to have them back in 2025. Stay tuned to their website and social channels for updates.
Pa Gya! Literary Festival. Accra, Ghana. October 2026, TBD
The Pa Gya! Literary Festival invites authors from all over to share their work and writings to a diverse audience and includes a large amount of activities. From the website: The festival engages all literary forms -- fiction, poetry, spoken word, comic and graphic novels, creative non-fiction and literary blogging. The festival also offers booksellers, publishers and independent authors space to showcase and sell their books.
“Writers, poets, literary performers, academics, editors, illustrators, librarians, literary agents, bloggers and many other literary practitioners from Ghana, Africa, the Black Diaspora and all over the world find a welcoming space to showcase their works and fraternise during the festival.”
Miami Book Fair November. Miami Dade College. November 20-22, 2026.
The Miami Book Fair is not designated as a BIPOC-only book festival, but due to the city’s wildly diverse population, the Miami Book Fair is known for celebrating multicultural voices in literature, with an emphasis on Latino and Caribbean authors. From the website: “ Miami Book Fair began as a two-day event in November 1984, when a small group of determined individuals – including educators from Miami Dade College, independent booksellers, and librarians – founded Miami Book Fair International. In the nearly 40 years since, MBF has grown into one of the most significant cultural events in the region, the most comprehensively programmed book fair in the nation, and an internationally recognized model of excellence.”
Mosaic Literary Conference. New York, New York. Date TBD.
Truly a cultural institution based in the Bronx, but with a national flavor, the Mosaic Literary Conference should be on every New Yorker’s literary list. From the website:”The Mosaic Literary Conference provides a platform for literature-based creative thinking and knowledge sharing. Each year we invite educators, community and arts organizations, as well as the public to participate in a variety of workshops. Launched in 2003, MLC presents a variety of topical, historical, and culturally themed panels and workshops that connect our South Bronx community to the world.”
Have Fun and Get Lit at the Next BIPOC Book Festival
BIPoC Book Festivals are the Best!
Obviously this is not an exhaustive list of every BIPOC book and literary festival in the world, but it’s a good start and offers a slew of choices for you. And of course, you don’t have to attend just one of these amazing events. You could make it a goal to attend one every season, for example. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you use this list of BIPOC book festivals to go out and get lit! Let me know if you’re aware of a festival that I missed, and I’ll be sure to add it to the list.