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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.

COVID-19 Health and Safety

  • To ensure a safe and healthy event experience for everyone, please do not attend if you are feeling ill or are within CDC recommended isolation timeframes after a positive test.
  • Masks are optional but encouraged when following CDC guidelines after a positive test; if distancing is not possible; for those who may be at increased risk; and anyone who feels more comfortable doing so.
  • Some authors may request that attendees wear masks during signing events.
  • Attendees are encouraged to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer regularly. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the venue.

What to Expect Upon Entry

  • Upon entering the Walter E. Washington Convention Center during the Festival, all guests will be subject to bag searches. This will also apply to reentry throughout the course of the day.
  • After clearing the bag check area, guests will be able to move freely around the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
  • Increased security measures may be in place at the time of the Festival.

Tips for the National Book Festival

  • Festivalgoers should arrive early to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to allow enough time to adjust to the Festival’s safety screening protocol.
  • Festivalgoers are only permitted one bag per person, in addition to a handbag or purse. Strollers with children are permitted, but no wheeled luggage is allowed. Bags larger than 20 in x 16 in x 12 in are not allowed.
  • To avoid problems or confusion, the Library of Congress recommends festivalgoers limit the items they bring to the festival.
  • There will be no place to store or check items such as coats.

Non-Permitted Items

  • Dangerous weapons such as firearms (and their replicas), fireworks, explosives, knives of any size, pointed objects, razors and box cutters, stun guns, pepper spray, mace and martial arts weapons (note: active duty law enforcement with proper credentials may carry their weapons)
  • Aerosol containers
  • Any items that bring to question public safety deemed problematic by law enforcement
  • Protest materials, including picket signs and handouts
  • Large wheeled luggage
  • Any items intended for sale