From Southern Gothic hauntings to American history, high-stakes thrillers to Creole kitchens, the 2026 Louisiana Book Festival offers something for readers of every interest. The state’s flagship literary event returns Saturday, October 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Baton Rouge at the State Library of Louisiana and the surrounding Capitol Park area. Admission is free.
“Whatever you love to read, you’ll find your people at the Louisiana Book Festival,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.
“A history buff and a horror fan can walk the same block in downtown Baton Rouge, meet the authors behind their favorite books, and never spend a dime doing it. It’s simply one of the best days of the year for book lovers in our state.”
With more than 200 authors and presenters across dozens of panels, the 2026 program spans more than 20 major genres.
“In a single day, a reader can move from a Southern Gothic ghost story to a panel on the American Revolution to a demonstration of Creole cooking,” said Robert Wilson, executive director of the Louisiana Book Festival.
“We build the program around that kind of range on purpose. The genres are how most readers find their way in, and this year’s lineup gives every one of them a reason to show up.”
The festival's website lists times and locations for all book talks and programs, and all author appearances are listed on the site’s individual author pages.
For full details on the 2026 Louisiana Book Festival, including the event schedule and featured authors and titles, visit LouisianaBookFestival.org and follow the event on the Louisiana Book Festival Facebook page.
The Louisiana Center for the Book was established in the State Library of Louisiana in 1994. Its mission is to stimulate public interest in reading, books, literacy, and libraries and to celebrate Louisiana’s rich literary heritage. It is the official state affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book.