Chase Crehan, Arizona Sonoran News
The Tucson Festival of Books, recognized as one of the world’s top literary events by Conde Nast Traveler, will return to the University of Arizona campus on March 14-15.
The 17th annual event, sponsored by TMC Health, will feature nearly 320 authors in over 300 sessions.
The lineup includes a diverse range of genres, with bestselling authors including Salman Rushdie, Jonathan Karl, Susan Lucci and R.L. Stine set to participate.
The festival will offer something for everyone, from children’s and teens’ presentations to hands-on experiences in Science City. The National Park Experience Pavilion will be staffed with representatives from parks across America, providing interactive opportunities and takeaways.
“The Tucson Festival of Books is a premier, free-to-attend, family-friendly celebration of literature that engages our community,” said Darrell Durham, co-chair of the Tucson Festival of Books marketing committee.
“I have had the opportunity to be a part of the festival since its beginning in March of 2009,” Durham said. “It has been gratifying to watch it grow into America’s fourth largest book festival, and we get an average of 130,000 people in attendance, so we haven’t really had to change anything”
The festival will feature more than 260 exhibitors selling books and related merchandise. Attendees are advised to adhere to the university’s Clear Bag Policy to avoid entry delays.
There is paid parking in UA garages and free off street parking. Lockers and bag check services are provided by The Mobile Locker Co. in three locations: near Second Street Garage/Admin building; in front of Koffler Sales & Signing area; and on the south side of the Education building near the Children’s Area.
Enhanced safety measures will be in place, with increased security personnel and magnetometers throughout the festival. Attendees are encouraged to plan ahead, arrive early and download the university’s SafeCats app for a smooth experience.
The book festival also has an app to help visitors navigate the sprawling grounds that take up most of the UA Mall.
Tucson graphic designer Chiara Bautista, who has shaped the festival’s visual identity since 2009 with her whimsical desert animals made out of letters, picked the jaguar as this year’s mascot. Festival T-shirts, which Bautista has been designing since the festival launched, will be sold at the Arizona Daily Star booth.
The Star co-founded the Festival of Books with the University of Arizona as a way to promote literacy. The festival is now regarded as the country’s second largest behind the LA TImes Festival of Books held in April.
The full event schedule was announced on Jan. 30, and Fast Pass reservations for popular author sessions are open for Friends of the Festival members, who can also get a 10% discount on book purchases at UA Campus Store. To become a member, visit tucsonfestivalofbooks.org.
William Kent Krueger, known for his Cork O’Connor mystery series, will receive the 2026 Founders’ Award for his literary achievements. The award will be presented at the Authors Table Dinner Friday on the University of Arizona campus.
Since its inception in 2009, the festival has donated more than $2.5 million to improve literacy rates in Southern Arizona.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
