Free to the general public, our annual Outdoor Fair (a.k.a. Bookworm Block Party) is a high-traffic, robust showcase of upwards to 150 exhibitors and activations celebrating books and literature. Also featuring outdoor literary stages storytime spaces, reading lounges, meet and greets with popular authors, an eclectic food court, and much more our 2026 Bookworm Block Party will be held ONE DAY ONLY, Sunday, May 31, from 11 am to 5 pm along several blocks of Allston Way and include Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park in Downtown Berkeley. Last year’s block party was a huge success–drawing packed crowds of thousands of attendees–and we look forward to expanding on the concept to loop the park back in now that it has been refurbished. We are expecting strong attendance, buoyed by a strategic marketing and promotion campaign celebrating our 12th annual festival!
This year, an even more robust slate of youth and family activities will be part of both days of the festival. Coupled with stellar programming for adults both days, this will make for a more well-rounded weekend festival–and more on foot traffic for exhibitors both days.
All exhibitors and vendors interested in both the May 30 family events at the Berkeley Public Library and the May 31 Outdoor Fair/Bookworm Block Party must be promoting, offering and/or selling products, programs, and/or services that are book or literacy related. You may identify as a small press, mid-to-large publisher, community based nonprofit, magazine/journal, literary organization or club, self-published author, independent illustrator, artisan with book related art/crafts.
Food Vendors (Sunday May 31 only) and Sponsors are the only exceptions to the books/literary only rule for exhibitors.
This year we embark upon a new, streamlined exhibitor registration process that encompasses both our May 30 family events at the Berkeley Public Library and our Sunday May 31 Outdoor Fair/Bookworm Block Party.
Important note:
BABF reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any exhibitor and/or specific materials for inclusion in the festival and to require an exhibitor to modify or remove any exhibit that is not in character with the event.
Due to space limitations, not everyone who submits an application will be approved. We appreciate your understanding.
Thank you for your interest in the Bay Area Book Festival. We look forward to reviewing your application!
BABF reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any exhibitor and/or specific materials for inclusion in the festival and to require an exhibitor to modify or remove any exhibit that is not in character with the event.
Our exhibitor selections are curated and due to space limitations, not everyone who submits an application will be approved.
Thank you for your interest in the Bay Area Book Festival. We look forward to reviewing your application!
