FESTIVALS

Humanities Tennessee's Southern Festival of Books was first held in Nashville on the second full weekend in October, 1989, and has been held annually on the same weekend since then. It is the original book festival, A Celebration of the Written Word, and has inspired hundreds of similar book festivals throughout the nation and beyond.

The Southern Festival of Books is a free, three-day celebration of the written word that attracts about 30,000 attendees to meet their favorite authors, as well as to be introduced to up-and-coming talented new writers. The festival is a fixture of fall in the South and has become one of the most popular regional literary events in the country. Festival guests travel to Nashville to experience the weekend’s abundance of authors, books, food, entertainment and culture.

The Festival has always been a free event that offers readers and writers an opportunity to interact, to create a public community around a festival that promotes and celebrates the joy of reading and of lifelong learning. Each year the Festival brings to Nashville approximately 250 of the nation's and region's most prominent authors, from legendary mystery writers to critically acclaimed debut novelists, from poets to biographers, from chefs to children’s authors. Every author on the program takes part in a session, either a solo reading or a panel discussion, followed by a book signing in our Author Signing Colonnade. Books by all the participating authors are available for sale at Festival book sales area where proceeds support the Festival.

In addition, the Festival hosts popular book exhibitors and programs three performance stages throughout the event. The Chapter 16 Stage highlights readings and other literary performances. The Café Stage features music by some of the area's most talented songwriters and poets. Special events for children take place on the Youth Stage including appearances by favorite characters, musicians, artists, and storytellers.