Detroit Bookfest Returns July 19 as Largest Festival in Its History
| For Immediate Release: | July 14, 2026 |
| Contacts: | Detroit Bookfest: info@detroitbookfest.com Alyce Hartman: hello@birdiesbookmobile.org |
Michigan’s largest book festival returns to Detroit on Sunday, July 19, for its ninth annual event. This year’s Detroit Festival of Books will be the largest in the festival’s history, spanning four Eastern Market sheds, an additional parking lot, and the DTE Plaza children’s area adjacent to Shed 5. More than 300 vendors including booksellers, authors, publishers, libraries, and literary organizations are expected to participate.
The free festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, at Detroit’s historic Eastern Market 📆.
In 2025, Detroit Bookfest set a goal of collecting 2,000 new and gently used children’s books from attendees. The festival far surpassed that goal, collecting more than 4,700 books. Organizers have now set an ambitious goal of collecting 6,000 children’s books during this year’s event. Bright yellow donation bins, courtesy of Birdie’s Bookmobile, will be located throughout the festival, where attendees can donate new and gently used children’s books. Every donated book will be distributed to children in Detroit via Birdie’s Bookmobile.
The festival will also feature an expanded lineup of children’s programming, including hands-on art activities presented by the Detroit Institute of Arts, Arts n’ Scraps, and a new children’s author stage where local authors will read their books throughout the day.
“We’re thrilled to return to Eastern Market for what will be the biggest Detroit Bookfest yet,” said Ryan M. Place, founder and chairman of the festival. “The festival has grown into one of Detroit’s signature summer events, and its continued growth reflects this community’s incredible passion for books, literacy, and the arts.”
Festival organizers expect more than 10,000 visitors to attend this year’s event, which will feature hundreds of independent booksellers, publishers, authors, literary organizations, and exhibitors from across the United States and parts of Canada.
For more information, including a complete list of vendors, children’s programming, and festival updates, visit DetroitBookfest.com.
About Detroit Bookfest
Founded in 2017, Detroit Bookfest is Michigan’s largest book festival and one of the largest literary events in the Midwest. Held annually at Eastern Market, the free festival brings together booksellers, authors, publishers, libraries, literacy organizations, and thousands of readers from across the region to celebrate books, literacy, and the written word.
