Wisconsin Book Festival

About the Festival

Since 2002, the Wisconsin Book Festival has brought thousands of local and internationally acclaimed authors to downtown Madison in celebration of literacy, conversation and ideas. Presented by Madison Public Library in partnership with the foundation, the festival offers year-round events led by authors representing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, spoken word and other genres. More than 12,000 people attend festival talks each year. The 2025 Fall Celebration dates are October 23–26. 

Events are held at Central Library, with select events at other downtown venues. Click below to view the most current schedule of events. 

What makes the festival an incredibly successful Madison tradition is that all events are FREE and available to the public. To achieve this, the foundation privately raises all needed funds. Select events even include a free copy of the featured book for attendees!

Join a community of readers, book lovers, and enthusiastic supporters, and ensure the festival’s future as a vital part of Madison culture by contributing today.

Interested in sponsorship? Visit our Sponsorship Levels document for details.