Registration is now open for the 2026 edition of Pgh Book Fest, returning on May 30. Formerly known as the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s free citywide event is back for a fifth year, bigger than ever — with more space for programming and discovery, plus a diverse lineup shaped directly by reader feedback and today’s most popular reading trends.
What’s New in 2026: More space, smoother access, and a focus on the full journey of a book
To accommodate the thousands of book lovers expected to attend, Pgh Book Fest has expanded its footprint to Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh to create additional space for activities.
“Pgh Book Fest has always been about bringing the community together around books, and we’re proud to partner with our neighbor, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, to be part of this beloved city tradition,” said Kornelia Tancheva, Hillman University Librarian and Director of the University of Pittsburgh Library System. “We’re thrilled to help expand the festival’s reach and give even more readers a space to explore and engage.”
Another upgrade this year: a dedicated, centralized author book signing tent. Rather than rushing from author talks to book signing lines, attendees will enjoy a more streamlined and personal experience connecting with their favorite authors in a single outdoor hub.
This year’s programming also reflects a theme that emerged from conversations with last year’s attendees: a desire to understand not just the stories in the books, but how the books come to be. A new “From Planning to Publishing” workshop tailored to children and teen’s literature is being offered in direct response to many attendees who expressed interest in the publishing process.
“We heard from our community that people wanted to pull back the curtain on how books come to life,” said Andrew Medlar, President & Director, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. “This festival brings readers closer to the people behind the stories and to the journey from the idea to the printed page. That connection is at the heart of what a book festival should be.”
The 2026 Literary Lineup
This year’s event features a roster of authors spanning a diverse range of genres — from romance, horror, and mystery to more niche favorites such as contemporary gothic and cozy fantasy. Featured authors include:
- Steven Rowley, New York Times bestselling author of Take Me With You and The Guncle, and winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor and Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist for Novel of the Year
- Catherine Newman, author of Sandwich and Wreck, both of which were instant New York Times bestsellers
- Daniel Kraus, 2026 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Fiction for Angel Down; New York Times bestselling writer of novels, TV, and films
- John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling science fiction author of When the Moon Hits Your Eye and Old Man’s War, his debut that won him the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer
- Meg Medina, author of Graciela in the Abyss and Newbery Medal-winning book Merci Suárez Changes Gears, and 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
This year’s panel lineup spans the full range of what readers are talking about — and what keeps them up at night. Conversations will include a fresh, queer reimagining of regency romance; a deep dive into contemporary gothic horror featuring breakout author Kylie Lee Baker; and the enduring cultural aftershocks of Pittsburgher George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead with Daniel Kraus, author of Partially Devoured.
One panel will explore the genre of academic thrillers, while another has a moving conversation about Black history, food injustice and botanical legacy. Rounding out the lineup is a panel of memoirists with Pittsburgh connections who will reflect on family, memory, and the stories that define us. A full author list and schedule is available at the Pgh Book Fest website.
For the Family: Making Connections Between Readers and Books they Love
Family programming this year is designed to help young readers see themselves in the world of books. Not just as readers, but as future storytellers themselves. From interactive author storytimes to hands-on workshops, families can engage with sessions and panels including:
- A beading workshop hosted by illustrator Winona Nelson, whose cover of All the Stars in the Sky features traditional beadwork
- A design-your-own character workshop with graphic novel artist Kayla Miller
- A discussion with Eureka O’Hara, HBO personality and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant, about her debut book Jackson Bright in the Spotlight
Families can also learn more about and sign up on the spot for the Library’s Summer Reading program. Offered in partnership with Phipps Conservatory and The Frick Pittsburgh Museum and Gardens, program participants are encouraged to GROW by exploring all the possibilities reading can offer. This year, the Library is issuing a citywide challenge to read 160,000 books by the end of the summer.
Plan Your Day — and Visit Our New Website
The fifth annual Pgh Book Fest is happening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 30 at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main located at 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh.
In addition to enjoying programming, guests can browse a variety of local vendors and exhibitors with bookish items for sale, along with local food trucks, at Pittsburgh’s citywide celebration of literacy, community, and creativity.
Registration and need-to-know details — such as parking information and an event map — are available at the newly launched pghbookfest.org. Registration is not required, but encouraged, as space may be limited for select sessions and panels. The site also features personalized scheduling tools to help you build your curated Pgh Book Fest experience by category and genre.
The Pgh Book Fest has been made possible thanks to the support of our partners, including the Jack Buncher Foundation and iHeart Media.
