Welcome to the Salt Lake Book Festival
October 17, 2026 | The Gateway, SLC
Every story starts somewhere.
Salt Lake Book Festival is where the Mountain West comes to meet its favorite authors, discover its next obsession, and remember why stories matter. Every October, we fill multiple stages with the writers behind today’s most talked-about books — and we design every moment to be as welcoming to a first-timer as it is to a lifelong reader.
Here's What's Happening:
Early Access Tickets
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Now Announcing for 2026:
An Event Built by People Who Love Books
Salt Lake Book Festival was built by people who love books and believe that love should be contagious. No reading history required — Just great stories, the voices behind them, and a community that shows up for both.
Our vision is to be the place where every individual discovers the story that sparks a lifelong love of reading.
Chapter OneSign Up Now for Early Ticket Access
Get your tickets for this October before they go live to the public. Plus, get behind-the-scenes updates direct from the team building the festival.
Our Festival Runs on Community
We would love your support. If you believe stories should be open and accessible to everyone, consider becoming a Friend of the Festival or getting involved as a Volunteer or Vendor.
What to Know About the SLC Book Festival
Got questions? We’ve got answers — and if we missed yours, we’re just an email away.
The Basics
Salt Lake Book Festival is an inaugural literary festival coming to The Gateway in Salt Lake City on October 17, 2026. We’re built for the devoted reader and the person who hasn’t picked up a book in years but is quietly curious, and everyone in between. Think high-energy author conversations, panels, signings, a curated market, and a whole lot of people who love stories.
Saturday, October 17, 2026 at The Gateway Mall, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Some programming and areas of the festival will be free and open to the public. Ticketed stages will require a ticket for entry. Full ticketing details will be announced soon. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know.
We’re anticipating around 7,000 attendees for the inaugural year.
Absolutely. We want reading to feel accessible and exciting for every age. This is not an exclusive literary club. Kids, families, and first-timers are very much who we had in mind.
Programming & Authors
Expect author conversations, panel discussions, book signings, and intimate sessions across multiple stages, all programmed for a general audience, not just the literary elite. We have a 500–800 seat main stage, a 150–200 seat stage at Kiln co-working space, and a family-focused stage for young readers.
Author announcements are rolling out soon. Follow us on Instagram @saltlakebookfestival and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news.
Programming is split between ticketed and free events. We’ll share a full breakdown of what’s ticketed vs. open access when the schedule goes live.
The King’s English Bookshop, one of the country’s most celebrated independent bookshops, is our official bookseller on-site. Books will be available for purchase and signing throughout the day.
Start Your Next Chapter With Us
Grab your tickets, explore the lineup, and start planning your perfect festival day.