Book Events: Fairs, Festivals, and Conferences (2025 and 2026)
Check out our list of events from the beginning of the year. To add an event, complete our form: Add a Book Festival or Fair to Our Calendar. You can also share event details in the Press Release section of our discussion forum.
Visit our Photo Gallery, Event Archives, and AALBC’s Events.
11 Events Found in New York
African American Literary Awards Show
Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture
515 Malcolm X Blvd. (135th & Lenox), New York, New York
Hosted by: Yvette Hayward
Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Website: African American Literary Awards Show
Email: yvette@literaryawardshow.com
Price: $55
Description:
Started in 2004, The African American Literary Award show is the brainchild of Yvette Hayward. The show celebrates and uplifts Black literature.
Learn more about African American Literary Awards Show on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
National Black Writers Biennial Symposium
Medgar Evers College
1650 Bedford Ave., Founders Auditorium, Brooklyn, NY 11225, Brooklyn, New York
Hosted by: Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College
Dates: Thursday, March 27, 2025 to Saturday, March 29, 2025
Website: National Black Writers Biennial Symposium
Phone: 718-804-8883
Email: writers@mec.cuny.edu
Description:
In 2025, honoring Tony Medina and Rita Williams-Garcia for their contributions to Black Young Adult & Middle Grade Literature.
Learn more about National Black Writers Biennial Symposium on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
New York Antiquarian Book Fair
Park Avenue Armory
643 Park Avenue (bet 66th and 67th streets), New York, 10065, New York, New York
Hosted by: Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America & International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (sanctioned by)
Dates: Thursday, April 3, 2025 to Sunday, April 6, 2025
Website: New York Antiquarian Book Fair
Phone: 212.777.5218
Email: info@sanfordsmith.com
Description:
2020 is the 60th Year
This book fair is officially sanctioned by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. The consumer can rely upon the experience and professionalism of participating dealers and the authenticity of the items available for purchase. All books, manuscripts and related material have been carefully examined for completeness and bibliographic accuracy.
Learn more about New York Antiquarian Book Fair on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
U.S. Book Show
New York Academy of Medicine
1216 5th Avenue, New York, New York 10029
Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Time:
Website: U.S. Book Show
Description:
Enjoy a wide array of book and author panels; programming geared to publishing professionals; and sponsered PubHubs where attendees can gather and download resources.
Learn more about U.S. Book Show on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Schomburg Center Literary Festival
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
515 Malcolm X Blvd., New York, New York
Hosted by: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Date: Monday, June 16, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Website: Schomburg Center Literary Festival
Phone: 2123481532
Email: Schomburglitfest@nypl.org
Description:
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of global black experiences. Our new Schomburg Center Literary Festival expands our long tradition of championing authors of African descent from across the globe and publications that celebrate Black history and culture. The day-long book festival will feature exhibitors, readings, panel discussions, workshops and more for all ages, from prose to poetry, comic books to young adult novels, fiction and non-fiction.
Learn more about Schomburg Center Literary Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
ThrillerFest
New York Hilton Midtown
1335 Ave Of The Americas, New York, New York 10019
Dates: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 to Saturday, June 21, 2025
Website: ThrillerFest
Email: KimberelyHowe@thrillerwriters.org
Description:
The ThrillerFest is an annual conference of the international Thrilller Writers. This organization was created by several 2005 bestselling authors in order to bring thousands of writers, readers, publishers, producers, editors and agents together to promote and support thriller everywhere.
Learn more about ThrillerFest on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
The Bronx Book Fair
PS 078 Anne Hutchinson School
1400 Needham Avenue, Bronx, New York 10469
Hosted by: Lorraine Currelley/Bronx Youth Empowerment
Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Phone: 646-894-5337
Email: bronxbookfair@gmail.com
Description:
The Bronx Book Fair will partner with the Bronx Youth Empowerment Program. Backpacks with supplies will be given to students. Join with community for an afternoon of fun, games, food, awards and music. This event is free and open to the public.
Learn more about The Bronx Book Fair on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Brooklyn Book Festival
Brooklyn Borough Hall and Vicinity
209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201
Hosted by: Brooklyn Book Festival, Inc. and Brooklyn Book Festival Literary Council
Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Website: Brooklyn Book Festival
Phone: 570-362-6657
Email: lkoch@brooklynbookfestival.org
Description:
The Brooklyn Book Festival is the largest free literary event in New York City, presenting an array of national and international literary stars and emerging authors. One of America’s premier book festivals, this hip, smart diverse gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages to enjoy authors and the festival’s lively literary marketplace.
The Brooklyn Book Festival is really more than a week of events which culminates on “Festival Day.”
Learn more about Brooklyn Book Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Albany Book Festival
University at Albany
1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222
Hosted by: The New York State Writers Institute and University at Albany
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time:
Website: Albany Book Festival
Phone: 518 442-5620
Email: writers@albany.edu
Description:
The Albany Book Festival, established in 2018, draws thousands of book lovers from across the Capital Region and beyond to an intellectually stimulating and dynamic daylong event on the University at Albany uptown campus that promotes literacy and fosters a love of reading among all ages.
This annual fall festival features bestselling authors, panel discussions, book-signing sessions, online workshops for aspiring writers, and areas dedicated to young-adult and children's books. Regional authors and poets join in open mic sessions. Dozens of authors, bookstores, publishers, and literary organizations will be featured online.
Learn more about Albany Book Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Black Authors Festival @SagHarbor
Breakwater Yacht Club
51 Bay St, Sag Harbor, New York 11963
Hosted by: Darlene Williams, Founder & President
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time:
Website: Black Authors Festival @SagHarbor
Email: nationalblackauthorsfestival@gmail.com
Description:
The Black Authors Festival @Sag Harbor is a nationally celebrated in-person event, recognized by USA Today as one of the Top Best New Festivals in the Nation.
In August 2025, the Town of East Hampton officially declared the month as Black Authors Festival Month, honoring the festival’s mission to celebrate Black literacy, combat the banning of books—particularly those written by or about Black voices—and advocate for stronger legislation to protect the freedom to read.
Nestled on the scenic East End of Long Island, in the historic village of Sag Harbor, the festival stands at the crossroads of heritage and progress. Sag Harbor holds a profound place in Black American history—long revered as a year-round haven for Black writers and a cherished summer retreat for generations of families.
Against this backdrop, the festival brings together renowned and emerging Black authors from across the nation to:
- Celebrate literary excellence.
- Amplify underrepresented voices.
- Strengthen the cultural importance of literacy within the Black community.
- Foster meaningful dialogue and cultural exchange.
The Black Authors Festival @Sag Harbor is more than an event—it is a movement to uplift stories, safeguard history, and inspire future generations.
Learn more about Black Authors Festival @SagHarbor on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Harlem Book Fair
Harlem State Office Building Plaza
163 West 125th Street, New York, New York 10027
Hosted by: Max Rodriguez
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Website: Harlem Book Fair
Email: hbf@qbr.com
Description:
CANCELLED FOR 2025
The Harlem Book Fair is the United State’s largest African-American book fair and the nation’s flagship Black literary event. Held annually in Harlem, NY, the Harlem Book Fair features exhibition booths, panel discussions, book sales, and workshops.
The Phillis Wheatley Book Awards are presented in conjunction with this event.
Learn more about Harlem Book Fair on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Check out our coverage of past events.