frequently asked questions

The Columbus Book Festival is a two-day event that celebrates a community of book lovers inside Main Library and outside in Topiary Park.

Over 100 featured authors will talk about their newly released books in lively panel discussions inside the library’s meeting rooms and two author stages in Topiary Park.

Outside, the Festival Marketplace will be active with over 100 authors in the Indie Author Alley tent, over 100 exhibitor tents, family-friendly entertainment, food trucks, merchandise tables and more.

All festival activities take place in downtown Columbus at Main Library (96 S. Grant Ave) and the adjacent Topiary Park (corner of Town and Washington Streets).

Main Library will be open extended Sunday hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All activities, panel discussions, author talks are free! There is no cost to attend the festival.

New and used books, festival merchandise, retail gifts and food & beverages will be for sale in the Festival Marketplace.

Headliners will give author talks and over 100 national and Ohio-based authors in a variety of genres will be featured on more than 50 panel discussions. Check out the Featured Author Lineup.

Another 100 independent authors will be ready to meet you outdoors at Indie Author Alley. Check out the Indie Author Alley Lineup.

New books from all featured festival authors, plus a selection of their back-titles, will be available for purchase and signing during the festival in Main Library’s 2nd floor Reading Room.

The Official Festival Bookstore is a partnership between Cover to Cover, The Book Loft, Gramercy Books, and Prologue Bookshop. Support your local independent  book stores by buying books at the festival!

Book submissions are accepted by application November-December for the following year’s festival.

Eligible books for the 2026 festival have to be published between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.  Books from a variety of viewpoints and topics are considered based on how they fit into panel topics and themes featured in our festival.  

A Programming Committee reviews all submissions to make selections.

All Main Library spaces are ADA compliant and accessible by elevator. Long lines may form during headlining author talks, book signings or book sales. Volunteers and Festival Staff will help keep orderly lines and assist guests with limited mobility. Please request assistance from Festival Staff when necessary.

TRANSPORTATION

• Getting to the Columbus Book Festival is a breeze with COTA! Hop on Line 10 or 11 for a direct ride to the Main Library.
• Not near a COTA stop? No problem! You can drive to a Park and Ride location, leave your car in the lot and let COTA do the driving downtown.
• Sit back, relax and enjoy a good book while you ride! Enjoy free Wi-Fi, e-books, audiobooks and more with COTA’s Read and Ride program.

PARKING  (Public Parking Map)

• Main Library’s 5-level attached parking garage has free event parking.
• Multiple surface lots surrounding Topiary Park will be free during the festival thanks to Discovery District businesses. Look for Free Book Festival Parking signs.
• There are many paid surface lots, parking garages and metered street parking options downtown.

We welcome all visitors to the Columbus Book Festival!

There are plenty of choices in and around downtown Columbus, including Airbnb and boutique and budget hotel options.

This is an indoor and outdoor event and the show must go on!

The outdoor Festival Marketplace will still be held in the case of rain. Bring a poncho and support book sellers, festival merchants and food trucks.