Bay Area Book Festival

13th Annual Festival | June 4–6, 2027 | DOWNTOWN BERKELEY

Reconstruction

At next year’s Bay Area Book Festival, June 4–6, 2027, “Reconstruction” is our guiding theme. What do we do with what has cracked: our climates and coastlines, our infrastructures and institutions, our relationships and our sense of self? How do we reconstruct our emotional lives after grief, our communities after displacement, our political and economic systems after they have shown us who they serve, while still making room for joy, wonder, and play?

Review the 12th Annual Festival

400+ Authors

120+ Programs

21 Stages

21 000+ Attendees

Upcoming Events

WHO WE ARE

The Bay Area Book Festival unites readers, writers, and changemakers through three cornerstone programs—the flagship Bay Area Book Festival, the Merritt Dialogues, and the Affinity Lit Collectives.

Our mission is to uplift and honor the full spectrum of literary voices, with particular care for those who have been historically excluded or marginalized, while encouraging reading, creative expression, and critical thinking across all ages and backgrounds. We aim to build authentic relationships among communities that foster understanding, resilience, and collective action, and we stand for social justice and equity by centering urgent conversations and nurturing emerging leaders in the field of literature.

EXPLORE OUR OTHER PROGRAMS

MERRITT DIALoGUE SPEAKER SERIES

The quarterly Merritt Dialogues, launched in Uptown Oakland in 2025, invites us into generative conversation where two thinkers, whose viewpoints may align or diverge, engage in dialogue that engenders critical thinking and deepens understanding of complex issues.

affinity lit collectives

In June 2025, we officially launched Bay Area Book Festival’s three affinity lit collectives: Women Lit, LGBTQIA+ Lit, and Mixed Race Lit. Whether you are a writer, reader, or just a lover of all things literature, these collectives are free and open to join …

GET INVOLVED

BABF is more than a cultural celebration—it’s a vital space for building networks, sharing resources, and organizing for a democracy rooted in care, dignity, and free expression.