The Washington DC area hosts numerous annual literary festivals and events that spotlight both local and national authors. Ranking among the most literate regions in the United States, it is home to many acclaimed writers and attracts best-selling authors from across the nation to share their craft with the community. Here is a guide to the largest literary-focused events in the Washington DC area, all of which are free and open to the public.

Bethesda Literary Festival

Each spring, Downtown Bethesda hosts this annual event featuring local and national authors, journalists, and poets. The festival includes contests for essays, short stories, and poetry, as well as events for children. Activities are spread across several venues in Bethesda.

Kensington Day of the Book Festival

This neighborhood street festival celebrates the International Day of the Book with live music, author readings, open mics, children’s activities, storytellers, and an abundance of books. Local authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, and literary groups come together to discuss and showcase their works.

Literary Hill BookFest

With a selection of over 30 local authors, this event provides opportunities for signing, discussions, and readings. Over 10 exhibitors will showcase their offerings, ranging from local publishers to reading and writing non-profit organizations.

Gaithersburg Book Festival

Esteemed authors, both national and local, engage with readers throughout an all-day festival held at Gaithersburg’s City Hall. The event encompasses a variety of activities, including writing workshops, exhibits, book sales, signings, children’s activities, poetry readings, and musical entertainment.

National Book Festival

As the largest book festival in the DC capital region, this prestigious event is supported by the Library of Congress. It features over 100 award-winning authors, illustrators, and poets who provide discussions and signings of their works. The festival’s pavilions showcase genres such as Fiction & Mystery, History & Biography, Children & Teens, Poetry, Home & Family, Urban Fiction, and Graphic Novels.

Fall for the Book Festival

This week-long regional festival is Northern Virginia’s oldest and largest celebration of literature and the arts. It features events at George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus and various locations across Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland. The festival fosters connections between readers and authors, offering literature enthusiasts a chance to meet their favorite writers.

Pyramid Atlantic Book Arts Fair

This three-day festival honors the evolution of the book as an art form, connecting international artists, scholars, collectors, publishers, and art lovers. The fair includes behind-the-scenes tours of DC’s print and book arts collections, contemporary print and book art exhibitors, a specialty marketplace, curated exhibitions, notable speakers, demonstrations, and much more.