ANNOUNCEMENT: Cancellation of festival due to coronavirus.

Sixth Annual Bay Area Book Festival: May 2 & 3, 2020

Tens of thousands of book lovers meet hundreds of acclaimed authors over an exciting weekend in downtown Berkeley, California. One of the premier literary events in the nation!

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Now with more author interviews, book recs, & literary food for thought to sustain & inspire you!

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Learn more about the festival’s cancellation in the San Francisco Chronicle and Berkeleyside.

Help the festival return stronger than ever!

Check out our year-round Women Lit speaker series featuring Eimear McBride, Louise Aronson, and more to come!

Program/
Schedule

Authors &
Speakers

Outdoor Fair

Kids & Youth
Programming

Festival FAQ

2020 Festival Sneak Peek!

Get a first look at some of this year’s authors and programs

Pico Iyer

Pamela Paul

Margaret Wilkerson Sexton

C Pam Zhang

Bryant Terry

Jennifer Croft

Carolina De Robertis

Terry Tempest Williams

Saeed Jones

Rebecca Solnit

“It was perfect. Couldn’t have been better. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity.”

Robert Reich, Author

“My experience was unbelievable. Each of the panels I attended exceeded my expectations. This Festival was the high point of my year.”

Attendee

“My best festival experience ever.”

Pulitzer finalist Hernan Diaz

“I was incredibly inspired by how this Festival provides so many writers and artists with the opportunity to share their work with such a vibrant community in the Bay Area.”

Attendee

“I was truly impressed by the scope and diversity of the panels, participants, and overall programming.”

Maw Shein Win, Author

“The panelists were clearly selected with care, and in all cases I could have listened to them speak all day.”

Attendee

“All the writers I spoke to expressed their love and admiration for the Festival. I do mean all the writers – every single one.”

Marie Mockett, Author

“I’m pretty sure that everyone who attended will agree that they will be forever changed.”

Elizabeth Rosner, Author

Between the Covers: The Bay Area Book Festival Newsletter

Literary trivia, book recommendations, interviews, and unearthed gems from Festival history: Check out our newsletter archive!

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Donate

We keep the festival low cost so all can participate. Nearly 90% of our budget comes from donors and sponsors ─ and your donation is essential to making it all possible.
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Volunteer

Volunteers are a crucial part of the Festival’s success each year. No experience is necessary and you’ll enjoy learning what is required to produce a major literary event!
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