Top of page

Festival Information

The 23rd annual Library of Congress National Book Festival will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, August 12, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.). The event is free and open to the public. A selection of programs will be livestreamed online and videos of all programs will be available shortly after the Festival. Attendees may expect enhanced safety and security measures when entering the Convention Center.

When is the 2023 National Book Festival?
The Festival will be held on Aug. 12, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.).
Will the 2023 National Book Festival be in person?
Yes! The Festival will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
Will presentations be available online or in a hybrid format?
Yes! A selection of presentations will be livestreamed and available online for nationwide audiences unable to attend in person at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Videos of all presentations will be made available on demand in the weeks following the Festival. Learn more about how to experience the Festival online with our virtual attendee guide.
How do I attend the National Book Festival?
See the Getting Here section to find more information on public transit options and parking near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. A selection of presentations will be livestreamed.
Is the National Book Festival free to attend?
Yes! The Festival is free and open to the public.
Will tickets or registration be required to attend?
No, tickets are not required to attend the Festival.
How do I plan my day at the National Book Festival?
Plan your day with the filterable Festival schedule on our website. You can also view and download the Festival program PDF and Festival map. Note that any last-minute schedule adjustments will only be updated on the website and will not be reflected in the Festival program PDF.
How can I build my own personal Festival schedule?
You can build your own schedule by using the “Add to Calendar” feature to add each event that interests you to your personal calendar. Click the words “Add to Calendar” below the date and time for each event that interests you. Please note that this tool places individual events in your personal calendar and does not constitute a reservation or ticket to the event. (This tool works with Outlook and Apple but does not work with Google.)
What safety protocols are in place?
The Library continues to monitor COVID-19 conditions and will follow best practices regarding health and safety protocols. Masks are optional, but use is encouraged. Learn more about current safety protocols on our Safety Tips page.
What am I allowed to bring to the National Book Festival?
Each person is allowed to bring no more than two bags (including a handbag), limited in size to 20 in x 16 in x 12 in. Please see our Safety Tips page for more guidance on bags and non-permitted items.
What dining options are available at the National Book Festival?
There are a variety of dining options available within and around the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Discover food options available within the Convention Center. For more information, visit their website External.
What accessibility options or resources are available?
We want the festival to be fun for everyone! ASL interpreting services and CART services will be provided during scheduled presentations. If you need additional assistance, the Accessibility & Information station will offer access to ASL interpreters, assistive listening devices (ALDs), braille programs and other special services. Contact ADA@loc.gov for additional accessibility or accommodations inquiries. See our accessibility page for more details.
How do I buy the book of a featured author?
Politics and Prose is the official bookseller for the 2023 National Book Festival, and will be selling books at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and on its website.
May I bring books from home to the National Book Festival?
Yes, but please limit the quantity of books and review our Safety Tips for guidance on bags. Also, each author may have specific book signing preferences. When possible, these preferences will be indicated in advance on the website.
Will there be book signings?
Yes! Authors will be signing books. Each author may have specific preferences regarding signing backlist titles, the quantity of books per attendee, personalizing, signing items other than books and allowing photography. When possible, these preferences will be indicated in advance on the website. Some authors may request that attendees wear masks during signing events.
How do I receive a copy of the 2023 National Book Festival poster?
A high-resolution PDF of the poster is available for download from the poster gallery. You may take or send the downloadable file to a printing service and print for non-commercial use. A limited number of printed posters will be available at the information stations on the street level and second level of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Also, you may request to have a printed poster shipped to you with a donation of $25 or more to support the National Book Festival by selecting “I’d like to receive a 2023 National Book Festival poster!” when making your donation.
Where can I find past National Book Festival posters?
High resolution PDFs of all past National Book Festival posters can be found in the poster gallery. You may take or send the downloadable file to a printing service and print for non-commercial use.
Can I buy National Book Festival merchandise?
Yes. National Book Festival merchandise items will be available from the Library of Congress Shop at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and online External.
Will there be free giveaways, like bags, this year?
Yes, free C-SPAN bags will be available at the information stations on the street level and second level of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
How do I support the National Book Festival?
The Library of Congress National Book Festival is free and available to the public thanks to support from generous sponsors and donors. Make your gift today and help share the stories that connect and illuminate the world. You can also help introduce others to the National Book Festival by sharing your Festival experience on social media.
How do I volunteer for this year’s National Book Festival?
If you would like to volunteer, please contact NBFvolunteers@loc.gov.
How do I suggest an author for the next National Book Festival?
The Library of Congress National Book Festival accepts nominations of authors with new books via the author nomination form (submissions accepted from publishing professionals only). We encourage you to take our survey during the Festival to provide input on what you want to see in future years.
Are there opportunities to meet book agents at the National Book Festival?
No. The National Book Festival does not provide networking or professional development opportunities for writers.
What if I still have questions?
If you still have questions about the National Book Festival, please use the Contact Us form.